25.03.2013. Aquarium Photography with finz
Jeff F: Good evening HOST!!
finz: Hi everyone.
finz: Glad to be here - -not
sure where to start though.
DogWalker: Finz, no problem, we
can just start peppering you with questions about your excellent
photography and I'm sure it will take off from there :).
Jeff F.: Just for the
transcript, I would like to say, it is an honor to have Finz
contributions to this site and to our hobby as a whole. I can only
look and hope to achieve the wonders he does with a camera. Thank you
from an admirer and appreciative member of the "chat team".
finz: Awww Thanks.
finz: I have been at this photo
thing for a while but didn't do much with fish photos until after digital was invented.
Jeff F.: Finz, your Beta
pictures are MASTERPIECES!
finz: Thanks Jeff - I have
really been having fun with the Bettas.
Jeff F.: I told you in the one
thread Finz, certain shots looked like bronze sculptures....and I've
actually been at live pores and seen sculptures come to life. You've
captured that magic!
crazyfishlady: How bout a little
info on how this chat should go?
crazyfishlady: Casual, or
presentation style? Finz?
finz: Very casual.
finz: I don't have a
presentation per se.
crazyfishlady: Do you want
people to interject with a questions?
Jeff F.: Do we have to raise our
hands?
DogWalker: Okay, do you prefer
manual focus or auto focus (or does it depend on the situation)?
finz: I use manual focus most of
the time for fish.
finz: I also tend to move my
body to focus when in manual mode.
finz: You have to move anyway to
follow the fish.
Jeff F.: Always black background
tanks?
DogWalker: Pretty much rules out
tripods I suppose.
finz: Tripods are difficult to
use IMHO.
tchill93x: Is there a particular
time of day you shoot...when the fish are less active?
tchill93x: Or for lighting?
finz: I have been known to sit
backwards on a chair and rest my arms on it's back.
finz: I shoot mostly in the
evening to remove reflections.
DogWalker: Lighting is a GREAT
question - can you tell us what your preferred arrangements are for
that?
finz: A room with no windows
would work too.
finz: My lighting is almost
always flash.
tchill93x: Explain a slave too.
finz: I use a flash controller
to fire one or two flashes simultaneously.
finz: There are three types of
slave.
finz: Optical uses another flash
to set it off.
finz: Radio uses a radio signal.
finz: IR uses an infrared burst.
tchill93x: So is it what the
flashes are connected to...or is it a flash unit itself?
finz: The most common is optical
and is easy to find deals on.
finz: Some flashes have a slave
built in, some need a slave unit attached that has the receiver in
it.
DogWalker: I believe optical is
also more versatile than infrared? How does radio rate in comparison?
finz: Radio is the best in a
crowded situation - other peoples flash wont fire it.
tchill93x: but more expensive?
finz: The unit I use is IR -
with it I can control 3 groups of multiple flashes including ratios
from left to right.
finz: Radio and IR are both more
expensive than optical.
DogWalker: Picked up an optical
recently for $22.
tchill93x: That's why I was
confused...prices ranged from $50 - over $400
finz: There is a wide range of
prices involved.
finz: I have an old Albinar
flash fitted with a "peanut" slave module that cost about
$30 total
tchill93x: With all of the
flashes in use...do you still use hood lights? If so, any special
type so the picture is not affected?
finz: I use the hood lights to
help me focus.
crazyfishlady: Do you use any
tricks to get the fish into a good position for photos?
finz: The most common technique
I use is to cover the tank with a piece of glass, set the flashes on
it pointing up, set the hood light pointing forward, and cover the
whole mess with a big piece of tin foil.
tchill93x: pointing away from
the tank?
crazyfishlady: Anything to get
the fish to interact with you?
DogWalker: never thought of
that!
finz: Yep - the tin foil bounces
the light back down.
tchill93x: Do you use food or
does that mess up the picture?
DogWalker: Would white board
work as well?
finz: Food catches the light and
makes white spots everywhere.
Jeff F.: My question. It's
obvious since we're among regulars that I love to show my fish. Is
there an "introductory" level camera that stands above the
rest for someone on a VERY limited budget?
finz: white board works, so does
an old Styrofoam cooler.
finz: On a limited budget -
think USED cams.
tchill93x: Do you use a macro
lens only?
finz: Nice deals on
http://www.keh.com/onlinestore/home.aspx.
finz: Dang - inadvertently
exited and lost the questions.
Jeff F.: Forgot you didn't want
to talk cams Jim. Will pm you.
finz: I use the macro lens a
lot.
finz: I have also been known to
kick back on a love seat a few feet away and shoot with a telephoto.
DogWalker: I haven't shelled out
the big bucks for a good macro lens, but instead have been using a
sharp primary lens (50mm) for fish shots - would I see a big
difference with a macro lens?
finz: The only reason I use the
macro so much is the close focusing distance.
tchill93x: Can you use a wide
angle with close focusing?
finz: A sharp 50mm with an
extension tube would work well too.
finz: Wide angle kind of defeats
the purpose of getting close and will cause some distortion.
finz: It has a side effect of
awesome depth of field though.
DogWalker: On another subject,
what shutter speed do you try to achieve for best results (i.e. how
fast is fast enough for awesome shots)?
tchill93x: So a zoom would work
better (my 50mm primary broke) only have wide angle and zoom.
finz: I shoot pretty fast when
using flash - never below 125th/sec.
finz: Theresa - I use a 70-200mm
zoom once in a while.
tchill93x: Are there certain
color fish you avoid or other challenges like decorations or
backgrounds?
finz: Decorations and
backgrounds can cause issues.
StructureGuy: Most of my tanks
have light colored substrate with the back painted black. I have a
lot of trouble getting good pictures of black fish. At the bottom the
fish is just a black silhouette on a glaringly light background. Up
higher the fish has a blue tint with the black background. Any hints?
DogWalker: LOL Theresa, was
about to ask, "which species do you find the most difficult to
shoot, and why? (conversely, the easiest and why as well)?"
Jeff F.: Alex did a very good
presentation on how to deal with backgrounds.
tchill93x:
http://www.cichlidforums.com/showthread.php?t=32126 – Alex’s
presentation.
finz: If you want whole tank
shots, the decoration don't matter much.
finz: I try to make the
background subtle by deflecting the flash away from the back.
finz: Structure Guy - Black fish
require directional lighting - one from above and behind the fish and
one from the front and off to the side a bit.
StructureGuy: I only have the
430EX.
finz: The back flash keeps the
edges of the fish lighter than the background.
finz: Tin foil can be your
friend - try setting the flash to the back of the tank and cover the
tank. and the top three inches of the front with foil.
finz: If you can reflect light
from the front as well as illuminate the edges of the fish – you will have it.
StructureGuy: Does this work
with a 24" deep tank?
tchill93x: So with black fish
you use 4 flashes? But with tin foil you can use 1 flash?
finz: 4? No I use two but when
you only have one flash you have to use reflectors.
finz: The larger tanks will
require more powerful flashes but it will work -the problem is
shooting a sharp photo through the thicker glass.
DogWalker: Never thought of that
as a big issue... more distortion?
finz: Yes, aquarium glass isn't
optically clear.
finz: I really notice it with my
macro lens in the tiny fish.
DogWalker: Ah, okay.
DogWalker: Just getting back to
an earlier Q, which species do you find the most difficult to shoot,
and why? (Conversely, the easiest and why as well)?
finz: Large fish are easier -
they are generally slower Tetras are a pain in the hoo hoo - they
never stop.
tchill93x: P. acei? Reflect
light..hard imo.
DogWalker: Interesting, I always
thought smaller were easier because they require less depth of
field... but if you have enough light I guess that problem goes
away...
finz: Fish color can be dealt
with and so can shiny scales.
finz: I usually shoot at F11 to
F13 with flash.
finz: You get pretty good DOF
and that increases the farther you are from the subject.
StructureGuy: Do you ever relocate your
fish to a "photo tank."
finz: The tiny baby fry are hard
to get good DOF with because you are so close.
finz: I don’t use photo tanks
because the fish don't behave naturally in them.
tchill93x: Hard to focus too...auto or
manual (the fry).
finz: Yes, fry are very hard to
focus on - a lot of that is because of the distortion from the glass
and water itself.
finz: Ever notice that fry shots
are easier to get good focus when the fish are right up front?
DogWalker: Back to Theresa's
question - how DO you get a true shot of a highly reflective fish
like P. acei? (the best shots I've gotten of them were without flash,
but as much light on the tank as I could muster). - more tinfoil
tricks?
DogWalker: (PS: Sorry to keep
grilling you, I just feel as if someone has opened the vault door to
trade secrets and I cannot resist).
finz: That is where white
reflectors come in handy - not direct light - not tin foil - you can
change. the color of the reflections by using subtle coloring of the
light you are using. If white doesn't work, try light gray.
tchill93x: a filter over the
flash?
finz: More bouncing the flash
from a colored reflector.
finz: I have used poster board -
spray painted Styrofoam etc.
tchill93x: ah...good idea.
finz: Careful to set white
balance to flash when changing color of reflectors.
finz: AWB (Auto White Balance) does weird stuff.
DogWalker: If you don't mind us
prying just a bit into 'Finz the Photographer', have you ever
published any fish pics commercially, or is that part strictly
'hobby'.
finz: The only fish pics
published were in newsletters of clubs.
DogWalker: All just for us
fellow fish keepers then? Lucky us!
finz: My paid gigs are all from
weddings and portraits.
tchill93x: Planning on the cover
of "Fish Fancy" DW?
DogWalker: Hmm, I could see
wanting to shoot some fish...
tchill93x: So you are a
photographer in your day job too?
finz: Yep the fish photos are
really just hobby stuff.
finz: Day job is not photography
- I work in a large call center.
finz: I do the portraits etc to
make money to buy more camera stuff.
tchill93x: lol...good idea!
tchill93x: So how long did it
take you to perfect your photography of fish...?
Jeff F.: Thanks again Finz. Hard
to believe we have all these newbies and no one wanting to expand
their knowledge.
finz: Digital cams are hugely
more expensive than film.
DogWalker: Any advice for
'point-n-shoot' camera owners?
DogWalker: (other than get a
DSLR)
finz: Most of the techniques I
use for the fish, I developed in a few months time through
experimentation.
finz: I used a point and shoot a
lot in the beginning.
finz::: It was, however one that
was able to use my current flash equipment.
finz:: I have had occasion to
play with a few p&s cams that only have built in flash.
tchill93x: So what kind of
equipment do you use for the amazing shots we see...a DSLR but with
how many flashes and accessories?
finz: I ended up using various
flash deflection techniques including tin foil and paper
tchill93x: how long have you
been shooting fish?
finz: The photos I have been
posting lately use one flash, and an IR controller. Occasionally, I
use a second flash as fill.
tchill93x: I'm sorry...I am new
at this, but do the IR work through your camera or is it a manual
thing you set up?
finz: I started with fish when I
bought my first auto-focus SLR but I can't remember for sure. when
that was - maybe in the early 90's?
finz: Canon slave flashes use
IR.
tchill93x: Those are the high
end flashes right? I have a 220? I believe.
finz: Either an STE2 controller
or the higher end flashes are needed to broadcast the signal.
DogWalker: Dare we delve into
the realm of post-processing suggestions/tips, or are we pushing our
luck?? :)
tchill93x: Go for it DW...Finz?
What do you think?
finz: Not sure about the 430EX
but the 550 and higher can be set to Master Mode.
tchill93x: over $400!
finz: I'm game.
DogWalker: Okay, color booster -
fair or cheating? (I figure fair so long as it's just to make things
look like they appear to the naked eye...)
tchill93x: :)
finz: Most of my post processing
consists of re-sizing and sharpening - colors I try to keep as
natural as possible.
DogWalker: Doesn't sharpening
have drawbacks also though?
Seedy: sharpening or "unsharp
mask?"
finz: Over sharpening looks
nasty.
DogWalker: So the general advice
would be - whatever adjustments you make, go easy – fair?
finz: I use Smart Sharpen,
Unsharp mask, or Lab Mode sharpening.
finz: DW - yes try to keep it
simple.
finz:The more you manipulate -
the more obvious it is.
finz: When a photo is re-sized
for the web, a certain amount of sharpening is needed to re-gain what
was lost in the re-size.
DogWalker: Any reason to use
other than RAW mode at all?
Jeff F.: I too, have to think
about how far to sharpen my images I contribute even with my
substandard camera.
finz: I shoot almost exclusively
RAW mode.
finz: If I know someone will
want a copy of a photo before I get a chance to convert it - I will
shoot RAW+Jpeg.
Jeff F.: would be nice to have
that option.
tchill93x: Do you use Canon or
Nikon?
finz: Even with custom presets,
I don't always like what Jpeg does to colors.
tchill93x: or something else?
finz: I use Canon.
tchill93x: jpeg changes colors?
finz: Frequently, the pre-set
jpeg mode in cams will saturate colors as the photo is saved.
Seedy: Finz, how do you feel
about correcting levels based on histograms?
finz: Sometimes, contrast and
sharpen are increased as well.
finz: Histograms are a tool that
can be useful or get in the way of creativity - I use them when they
seem appropriate.
Jeff F.: Just adding stuff to
the transcript for the general public. some of the finest photography
ever..http://www.cichlidforums.com/showthread.php?t=29890
Seedy: I tend to adjust my
levels when I'm shooting super small apertures and don't have enough
light...do you think I'm hurting my image? I like the results but am
I lowering my quality?
DogWalker: Good stuff Jeff -
that's what we needed...
finz: Hehe - thanks Jeff, I miss
that male fish, I lost him to dropsy but his kids live on.....
tchill93x: Your pictures are so
beautiful; they almost look like a sculpture.
finz: Seedy - if you introduce
noise - yes, but with digital it is frequently better to expose for
the highlights and pull detail out of the shadows as necessary.
Seedy: Finz, here's an example
of some macro shots I tweaked the levels on...what are your thoughts?
Constructive criticism?
finz: Those look fine.
Seedy: Thanks.
DogWalker: Going to have to call
it a night. Finz, thanks a million for taking the time to answer all
the questions. It was really worth it for me? I really think there
are a lot of members who would like to take better pictures who
would’ve benefited from this (if they’d take the trouble to show
up!).
finz: You're welcome DW.
Jeff F.: Those are really kewl
Seedy!!!
Seedy: Finz, from what you have
seen of my more recent photography, do you have any suggestions for
me?
Seedy: Thanks Jeff.
tchill93x: They are very good!
finz: You seem to have the
technical part down well Seedy it's all practice and play from here.
Seedy: Thank you, I take that as
a high compliment from you Finz :)
finz: I would try giving
yourself lighting challenges like the black fish/background we were
discussing earlier.
finz: You might have missed
that.
finz: I hope nobody looks at my
typing too closely.
finz: I seem to have multiple
thumbs.
Jeff F.: FINZ RULZ.
Seedy: I didn't, I'll read the
transcript later...because my camera/flash combo is an optical slave,
do you have any suggestions for improving my luck? I seem to get my
sb-800 washed out...I suspect I don't have the settings on it correct
as I don't fully understand the settings on the flash itself.
Seedy: ...correction...not
really "washed out"...I find if the flash is on top of the
tank, I don't get the top lighting I want....should I consider
reflectors or some other setting on it?
finz: I frequently set the flash
compensation on my camera at minus 1/2 or 3/4 stops.
Seedy: the on camera flash or
your remotes?
finz: on the camera - that will
affect all flashes at the same amount.
Seedy: Even when they are
optical slaves?
Seedy: If you are familiar with
shooting with an sb-800 in remote mode, would you be able to help
explain some of the settings on the flash itself? I don't really
understand what I'm doing with those settings.
finz: Not sure how the Nikon
flash system works but it should be ETTL which means shutter will
close when exposure is complete as set on the camera.
finz: I'm afraid I'm not
familiar with Nikon's system but I could look for a primer for you.
finz: Just a sample of some
Photoshop fun.
finz: For those who can't afford
Photoshop - I noticed Paint Shop Pro Ultimate Photox2 is on sale this
week.
tchill93x: So are Nikon and
Canon the two best cameras around...seems to be what everyone is
using...
tchill93x: Seedy, aren't there
things on line that you can get for free that do the same thing?
finz: Nikon and Canon are top
players.
Seedy: agreed.
finz: The free programs don't do
quite as much.
Seedy: what about mumia?
tchill93x: Pentax used to be
what I used back when it was film.
finz: never heard of that one.
tchill93x: Mumia?
finz: Pentax is coming out with
nice Cameras lately.
Seedy: I saw a really sweet
digital back on a really nice mumia 35mm....it seemed extremely
expensive...I think the digital back was 5 times what my camera
cost....
finz: I think it took them a
while to get on the digital bandwagon.
tchill93x: too bad, they were
the camera to have 20 years ago.
finz: My Dad had a Pentax
spotmatic - nearly indestructible.
Seedy: Finz, my father takes a
lot of pictures of Bald Eagles flying around his lake house....do you
think he would be better to get a multiplier for his 18-135mm and a
something to 300mm....my step father is trying to get him from a D80
to a D300...do you think he'll notice a difference?
Seedy: ....or is this bordering
too much on "what camera should I buy" type questions?
tchill93x: Wow, you need a very
expensive set up to get raptors in flight.
finz: Birds in flight are tough
subjects make sure predictive focus works well on any lens he choses.
Seedy: tchill...I can show you
some pretty dang cool pics he's taken...and he has NO formal training
Seedy: How would one be able to
test the "predictive focus" of a particular lens?
finz: That's awesome - I think
the pros use prime telephotos for that kind of stuff.
Seedy: What do you think
though...should he drop the cash for a BIG lens or go with the
multiplier for what he has?
finz: Lens reviews on
BobAtkins.com.
finz: multipliers above 1.5X
will decrease the auto focus reliability.
Seedy: Good to know....I don't
think his hands are stable enough for manual focus.
Seedy: I think he's considering
a 1.7 multiplier.
finz: That shouldn’t be too
much.
Seedy: Could you explain how a
multiplier works? Is it just a magnifier?
tchill93x:
http://www.michaelfurtman.com This is a guy that specializes in
raptor and nature photography...he tells about what he uses. He has
amazing pics.
tchill93x: yes, please explain
finz.
finz: I'm afraid I don't know -
only that it is best if made for the lens in use.
Seedy: Would I want to consider
a multiplier for when I'm using my 105mm micro/macro?
finz: I don't really see an
advantage there - the macro will be much sharper without it.
Seedy: OK cool.
Seedy: tchill, a macro lens is
usually used for extreme close up pics (like those pleco pics I
posted).
tchill93x: yes, it is my dream
lens.
tchill93x: my wide angle takes
very nice shots close up...of fish too, but not amazing shots like
Finz.
tchill93x: I've got great
equipment; just don't know how to use it very well.
Seedy: I really enjoy macro
photography myself....however it opens up all kinds of issues with
getting enough light to get a small enough aperture to get a good
depth of focus....
finz: I do have a lot of fun
with my macro lens - 1 week old Betta fry.
tchill93x: WOW...that is
amazing!
tchill93x: I had a little rusty
like that, but couldn't even focus on it manually or auto.
tchill93x: looked like a fuzzy
brown critter.
finz: They have new ring-flash
attachments now that help in that regard and cost less than a
standard ring flash.
Seedy: LED rings?
tchill93x: Ring flash -what is
that, never heard of that.
Seedy: tchill...I believe it is
a flash attachment that goes around the outside of you lens.
Seedy: It puts a ring of light
on your macro subject.
tchill93x: you are right
Seedy...never heard of such a thing. Very nice.
finz: Here is the real deal.
finz: This type of flash
illuminates subjects even if they are right in front of the lens.
Seedy: Finz, I appreciate your
insight. Thank You.
http://nippyfish.net/2006/10/19/interview-with-tynk7-breeding-bettas/
YanıtlaSil