Just a coupel pics - please critique

[nanoDude]

I'm trying a different (at least different for me) composition method for my aquarium photos and would like to know what you think. Thanks for looking.

open brain with some polyp extension
http://saltbucket.com/d/11628-1/20071205002.jpg

clam. The little snails are hitching on a huge turbo snail and not the clam. I was worried they might be pyramid snails but they stay away from the clam.
http://saltbucket.com/d/11443-1/20071111001.jpg

neon-green slimmer under actinic only
http://saltbucket.com/d/12118-1/IMG_4576.jpg

[breutus]

have you picked the clam up to see if theres more on the meaty part underneath it, they lok alot like pyramid snails. and they can be all around the clam

[ridinfast03]

Nice shots and the settings look like they are tuned in.

[nanoDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11629449#post11629449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by breutus
have you picked the clam up to see if theres more on the meaty part underneath it, they lok alot like pyramid snails. and they can be all around the clam

It has attached really well to the rock it is on so I'm able to move it around and inspect it without ****ing it off too much. I've been checking it just about every day for the past three weeks and havn't ever seen any on it. I've been checking mid-day and about two hours after the lights go out.

[Phyl]

Your second two shots look like they're not quite white balanced right. There's still a bit of a blue haze over the pictures. When the WB is spot on it won't look so hazy.

On the first shot, I'd try to reduce the DOF a hair and move your focus point forward a hair. There is more of the focus plain behind the point of focus than in front of it. That should allow for your entire subject to be in focus, but that distracting rock off to the right would be blurred a bit. A little bit of selective gaussian blur would help that rock fade away some.

Not sure the composition of the 3rd one works so well for me, but I like the comp on the 2nd one. For the first picture I'd like to see a little less off to the right there.

Keep shooting!

[d4a2n0k]

Those are 100% Pyramid snails which feed on clams AND snails. They are nocturnal so check out the base of the clam at night. Also, since its a Crocea, the Pyramids like to hang out under the mantle in the ridges of the clam shell.

If you have the room, many reef safe Wrasses do an excellent job with those little buggers. I never have clams anymore without wrasses.

[nanoDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630099#post11630099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyl
Your second two shots look like they're not quite white balanced right. There's still a bit of a blue haze over the pictures. When the WB is spot on it won't look so hazy.
I've been using a bleached coffee filter to try to get the white balance right and it's better than it used to be bust still not quite right. I tried adjusting for it in PS but lost some of the color depth so I just left it alone.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630099#post11630099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyl
On the first shot, I'd try to reduce the DOF a hair and move your focus point forward a hair. There is more of the focus plain behind the point of focus than in front of it. That should allow for your entire subject to be in focus, but that distracting rock off to the right would be blurred a bit. A little bit of selective gaussian blur would help that rock fade away some.
I only have a SD500 point-and-shoot camera so no DOF adjustment. I tried the gaussian blur but the brain looked like it was glowing so I went with a lens blur instead. I attached the new one to the end of this post.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630099#post11630099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyl
Not sure the composition of the 3rd one works so well for me, but I like the comp on the 2nd one. For the first picture I'd like to see a little less off to the right there.
I made a little adjustment and reposted.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630099#post11630099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyl Keep shooting!

Thanks! Thats exactly what I needed.

http://saltbucket.com/d/12135-1/20071205002v2.jpg

http://saltbucket.com/d/12138-1/IMG_4576v2.jpg

[nanoDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11630313#post11630313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d4a2n0k
Those are 100% Pyramid snails which feed on clams AND snails. They are nocturnal so check out the base of the clam at night. Also, since its a Crocea, the Pyramids like to hang out under the mantle in the ridges of the clam shell.

If you have the room, many reef safe Wrasses do an excellent job with those little buggers. I never have clams anymore without wrasses.

Thanks! I have two McCosker flasher wrasses on the way :). I've checked it at night and didn't see any anywhere on the clam. I found they only have a 160 day breeding cycle so maybe I only have the two on the turbo right now.

[thor32766]

that clam shot is amazing. love the angle you took with it.

[nanoDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11652395#post11652395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thor32766
that clam shot is amazing. love the angle you took with it.
:bum: thanks thor!

[selliott]

Nice shots color looks excellent