maddog10
Members
Alright, yellows are tough, so I thought I would try red. I think this is a German Red. What do you think?
phishphorphun
Members
This shot has so many things wrong, I don't know where to begin. :wacko: Just kidding. 
Lacks DOF, the background is too bright, and the fish looks like it just landed from a Star Wars movie. :lol: :lol: :lol: Again, just kidding.
Now for a more sensitive approach. :angel2:
Mike, share your settings with us the next time. I think this shot could be rewarded with a lower aperature. Maybe a number around f/22. The even exposure from front to back lacks the contrast needed to seperate the subject from the background.
The compositon, the crop, and the sharpness are okay. Except for the extra sharpness that should be directed toward the eye of the subject, so that the mouth would benifit from the lens, it is not bad. Remember to focus on the eye.
Nice shot
Lacks DOF, the background is too bright, and the fish looks like it just landed from a Star Wars movie. :lol: :lol: :lol: Again, just kidding.
Now for a more sensitive approach. :angel2:
Mike, share your settings with us the next time. I think this shot could be rewarded with a lower aperature. Maybe a number around f/22. The even exposure from front to back lacks the contrast needed to seperate the subject from the background.
The compositon, the crop, and the sharpness are okay. Except for the extra sharpness that should be directed toward the eye of the subject, so that the mouth would benifit from the lens, it is not bad. Remember to focus on the eye.
Nice shot
maddog10
Members
Going from memory (I am at work). Aperature should be f/20 or f/22. Shutter speed was probably to slow (don't remember changing it from the last time I took photos of my deer). Exposure was a little dark so I compensated for it in post processing, I agree the background could stand to be a little darker. I thought the focus was good :angry: White substrate is to "hot", could try to tone that down. Background was pretty clean on this shot, only had to cover up about a dozen bubbles. I thought it was pretty good.
Anyone else have an opinion. We are trying to open this up for everyone. That way we can all learn (from my mistakes). Post some of your own photos. There are several people in our club who can help you take better shots. Some of the comments may seem a little harsh, but it is nothing personal. Honest straight forward comments will help you achieve better results, faster.
Anyone else have an opinion. We are trying to open this up for everyone. That way we can all learn (from my mistakes). Post some of your own photos. There are several people in our club who can help you take better shots. Some of the comments may seem a little harsh, but it is nothing personal. Honest straight forward comments will help you achieve better results, faster.
George
CCA Charter Member and person in charge of the we
I'm sorry Mike but the worst thing about it is I didn't take it. I'm trying to get there. I like it.
George
George
maddog10
Members
Thanks George. I still have a lot to learn so that I can fine tune them. But have improved a good bit over the last couple of months.
mscichlid
Founder
Personally, I like the shot. It is an interesting perspective, but would have hit the mark if the eye was tack sharp. With the substrate included it makes the shot a little busy because your eye keeps going to the highlights. Did you crop it before posting it?
As Bobby said, a little less exposure on the background would have made the entire fish pop like the top half of it.
Overall, I think it's pretty F'n good for someone just starting out and with new gear,. Good job, Bigboy!
As Bobby said, a little less exposure on the background would have made the entire fish pop like the top half of it.
Overall, I think it's pretty F'n good for someone just starting out and with new gear,. Good job, Bigboy!
maddog10
Members
Thanks Francine. Yep, its cropped. My focal point was the eye, but the mouth does seem a tad sharper. I like the substrate in the shot, but the highlights do grab your attention.
Ok, set up and tried again tonight. Turned the pump off this time and didn't feed, gave me a few more opportunities. Think the depth is a little better, but blue on face is a little to bright. Better, worse or the same?
Forgot to post settings. apperature: f/22 shutter speed: 1/100s ISO: 100
Ok, set up and tried again tonight. Turned the pump off this time and didn't feed, gave me a few more opportunities. Think the depth is a little better, but blue on face is a little to bright. Better, worse or the same?
Forgot to post settings. apperature: f/22 shutter speed: 1/100s ISO: 100
mscichlid
Founder
Fish is way better and sharp. I can't judge the blue on the face, because I am not there to view it in your lighting. Looks okay to me. I'm still getting used to the saturation in those cameras!
Crop is too tight. Remember the subject needs space to go into; adds interest.
The substrate is more distracting than the first. Did you do a little clone stamping over there on the bottom right? The rock looks funny. But no matter...
What is that black dot on the fish's belly and pectoral fins? :smashfreakB:
I can't judge the blue on the face, because I am not there to view it in your lighting. Looks okay to me. I'm still getting used to the saturation in those cameras! Crop is too tight. Remember the subject needs space to go into; adds interest.
The substrate is more distracting than the first. Did you do a little clone stamping over there on the bottom right? The rock looks funny. But no matter...
What is that black dot on the fish's belly and pectoral fins? :smashfreakB:
maddog10
Members
Had to crop this one tight, fish to the right and fish to the left. No clone stamping at bottom right. This fish likes the bottom so substrate is going to be an issue (hopefully he gets up in the water column later). You know I think that dot is on the fish, it is on several shots of this fish (I'll check when I get home tonight, to be sure).
Ok, no spot on fish. Spec of dust from somewhere. Will be cleaning my lens tonight.
Ok, no spot on fish. Spec of dust from somewhere. Will be cleaning my lens tonight.
Tim
Members
I think you could stand to lower the aperature a bit, down to F11 to F13. The substrate does take away from the fish a bit, by darkening the background a bit, (lower aperature, faster speeds) you can accomplish that pretty easily. When shooting reds, you can increase saturation settings on the camera a nudge to make them seem a bit deeper.
These are just suggestions. The photos look great. Play with different F stop ranges on the camera. You'll find every lens is a bit different in that point where it takes it's sharpest photos.
Tim
These are just suggestions. The photos look great. Play with different F stop ranges on the camera. You'll find every lens is a bit different in that point where it takes it's sharpest photos.
Tim
phishphorphun
Members
Tip:
Experiment with your speed flash setup. To get a darker background, place a piece of heavy white all purpose paper on the glass covering the back half of the tank. Place you SB800 so that part of the flash lense is laying on the paper. Two things happen. The portion of the flash that illuminates the back of the tank is diffused more. And if you have overhead lighting, it will illuminate the back of the tank less.
You have to make sure the subject is in the flash zone toward the front of the tank.
I've experimented with this technique on smaller tanks to help create a less exposed background.
My settings for this fish would be ISO 100, 200ss, f/22. The lower f/stop, like in the 20s helps darken the background as long as you are using the flash setup from the top and shutter speed above 200...IMO.
Like Francine mentioned, it does seem over saturated. Do you have your menu options set for higher saturation?
Experiment with your speed flash setup. To get a darker background, place a piece of heavy white all purpose paper on the glass covering the back half of the tank. Place you SB800 so that part of the flash lense is laying on the paper. Two things happen. The portion of the flash that illuminates the back of the tank is diffused more. And if you have overhead lighting, it will illuminate the back of the tank less.
You have to make sure the subject is in the flash zone toward the front of the tank.
I've experimented with this technique on smaller tanks to help create a less exposed background.
My settings for this fish would be ISO 100, 200ss, f/22. The lower f/stop, like in the 20s helps darken the background as long as you are using the flash setup from the top and shutter speed above 200...IMO.
Like Francine mentioned, it does seem over saturated. Do you have your menu options set for higher saturation?
maddog10
Members
Uhhhhh......I don't know. Still trying to figure out the basics. Have changed very little in the menu. I may have done it in post processing though. I haven't been able to sit down and do a serious photo session in a while. Work is wearing me down, I get home and start to relax and just don't want to do anything else.
I will experiment with the white paper though.
SubMariner
Master Jedi & Past VP
Mike, I really don't think that's a German Red, but a Red Ruby Peacock if I'm not mistaken.
SubMariner
Master Jedi & Past VP
Phenomenal picture though!!!
I give it 2 thumbs up.
I give it 2 thumbs up.
maddog10
Members
The fish is actually red/orange with a blue face. Picture must make it look more yellow. It is definately a red fish.