image posting, technique, shopping, wb tips etc.

[gregr]

This is the place to look for info on image posting, camera shopping, white balance and basic photography techniques.

Quick tips on posting images in this forum:
Reefkeeping Magazine article with image posting (and editing!) tutorials:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/gr/index.php
More tips for image posting:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?
s=&threadid=59236
Tutorial for posting images with Photobucket as your host:
Photobucket tutorial (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=531326)
Another tutorial on posting images:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=4922665#post4922665
Image hosting website suggestions (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=714275)

To resize a picture to use as an avatar you need to do two things-- change the dimensions and compress the image file. This Reefkeeping Magazine article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/gr/index.php) teaches you how to do both things with Photoshop or the free program Irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/). The problem that most people run into is the compression part because of the file size limitation; you need to get that file size down to no bigger than 8.192k. As far as dimensions go- the longest side can be 150 pixels maximum.


How to buy a good Digital Camera:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=323345
Camera shoppers read this:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123426
Reefkeeping Magazine article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/gr/index.htm) for camera shoppers!


How to take better pictures:
Reefkeeping Magazine article about how your camera works... step one! (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/gr/index.php)
Understanding depth of field (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=812371)
Exposure, compensation and the histogram (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=812374)
Reefkeeping Magazine article about white balance. (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/gr/index.php)
Must-reads about white balance! (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=325684)
Photoshop tutorials (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59251)

[gregr]

this a short article covering basic camera settings for aquarium photography.
if you have anything to add please do!
------------------------------

Full Tank Photos:

Full tank shots are best done from a tripod. Not only will the images be sharper, but it will also be much easier to frame a shot that is straight and level.
Aperture priority is good for this type of shot, and an aperture of f4-f5.6 is a good starting point. Keep an eye on the camera's shutter speed - if it goes below 1/30 or so, a bigger aperture (smaller f-stop number) may be necessary, or the ISO may need to be raised. Ideally, the shutter speed will be 1/60 or higher in order to keep moving fish or swaying corals in sharp focus.

Aquarium lighting is rarely soft and even. It can be very difficult to achieve an even exposure throughout the tank, so exposure compensation is often necessary to prevent overexposure at the top of the tank where the lighting is brightest. If the images are too bright, then set negative exposure compensation - start with the smallest increment (usually 1/3 stop) and keep experimenting until the exposure is right. Try different apertures as well as compensation.

Fish Photography:

Fish photos require a different technique. Since the subjects are moving, a reasonably fast shutter speed should be used. A shutter speed of 1/90 may work, but even faster is better. I typically use aperture priority for any photography that does not use a flash. As a starting point, use the biggest aperture (usually around f2.8) that the camera allows to ensure the fastest possible shutter speed.
I like to use a flash for photographing fishes. When using a flash, be sure to keep the camera aimed slightly downward to keep the flash from bouncing off the front of the aquarium and sending it back into the lens. For flash photography I recommend using a manual exposure mode. Try experimenting with different settings, but a good starting point is f4 and 1/60. Flash exposure compensation may sometimes be necessary. Take a test picture and determine if it's too bright or too dark. If it's too bright, then set negative flash exposure compensation (reduce the flash output); if it's too dark, positive compensation may need to be applied. Again, start with the minimum increment and go from there. Adjusting the ISO may help, but remember that the higher the ISO, the grainier the picture will be.

Close-ups:

Close-up shots are usually the ultimate goal of the aquarium photographer. When shooting close-ups, keep in mind that as the camera is moved closer to the subject, the depth of field decreases. Depth of field can be described as the area of the image that appears in focus. To achieve good depth of field on close-ups, use a small aperture, but remember to double the shutter speed each time the aperture is cut in half. For example, if an accurate exposure is f4 at 1/60, to get more depth of field would require f5.6 (one stop difference) and a shutter speed of 1/30. This keeps a consistent amount of light hitting the sensor/film. To add even more depth of field a setting of f8 could be used, but the shutter speed will then be reduced to 1/15. It's easy to see the compromise here - if anything is moving (polyps swaying in the current, for instance), it will be blurry at slower shutter speeds because any moving object will change position while the shutter is open. A tripod is extremely helpful for this kind of photography because of the slow shutter speeds involved and the likelihood that the camera may move, causing a reduction in image sharpness.
Flash can also be effectively used for close-ups. The added light will help to achieve greater depth of field and to freeze any movement. The same techniques applied to fish photography (with a flash) also apply to close-ups, except the emphasis for close-up shots is on depth of field as opposed to fast shutter speeds.

Technique is everything when it comes to macrophotography. Small apertures are ideal for close-ups, but finding the best compromise in terms of depth of field and shutter speed is a matter of judgment borne of experience.

White Balance:

Accurately reproducing colors with a photograph can be a challenge, especially when the aquarium is equipped with 20K Kelvin bulbs. As camera technology improves, color accuracy from automatic white balance settings are improving, but it may still be necessary to set the white balance manually. Consult the camera's manual on this process if your camera has this option.

Manual white balance adjustment involves placing something white under the aquarium lighting and pointing the camera at the white area while pressing a button or sequence of buttons on the camera. Once the camera sees what the tank lighting looks like on the white surface, it can adjust itself so that all colors are reproduced accurately. Even with a manually set white balance, however, it may still be necessary to adjust some settings in an image editing program to achieve adequate accuracy. When using a flash, auto white balance is usually very accurate. White balancing is another area where experimenting with different settings may be required to achieve the best results.

[Skipper]

A complete list of Greg's articles in Reefkeeping Magazine can be found here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/author/gr.php

Page to be updated shortly.... :D

[Skipper]

Here's one to add to the list:
TUTORIAL ON AQUARIUM PHOTOGRAPHY by Tom Sandercock (http://cmas.net/s_info_photo/s_info_photo.html)

[wav3form]

Here's a good article on post production from cichlid-forum.com

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/digital_photo_post.php

[NanoCube-boy]

I'm sorry, i'm having a hard time understanding the Fs and 1/25 or 1/30 such as f2.5, f6, or 1/... 1... My camera id digital and it's different. I can adjust the ISO in 400, 200, 100 and Focus in AF, Multi AF, 0.5m, 1.0m, 3.0m and 7.0m.

[gregr]

Give this Reefkeeping Magazine article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/gr/index.php) a read-- it explains what all those different settings are and how they work together.
Holler if you need clarification :)

[jnarowe]

gregr: Wow! I had never seen your web site before. Your marine pics are freakin' amazing!!! You have some fantastic specimens to say the least. You seem to have a fairly high bio-load for all the beautiful corals in that system. Do you have a link to your equipment and husbandry practices? Maybe a TOTM thread??

So the CBB is in the same tank as the feather duster? I have been considering getting a CBB but am afraid of some of the stories I am reading.

[gregr]

Thanks :)
I do have a fairly heavy bio-load but most of the pictures are from other people's tanks- my tank is not that crazy :p And yeah, eventually two feather dusters disappeared although the Coco Worm is fine. Re. husbandry stuff- I try to keep up with 20% water changes twice a month and I feed the fish once a day. Below the 100g tank is a 20g refugium and 20g sump- in the sump is a very good skimmer. I recently added a phosphate reactor too. Plus there's a calcium reactor... plus an auto top-off... plus plus plus! There's always more :lol:

[jnarowe]

Thanks for the info. I have a large number of tube worms in my system and I think they provide some water polishing so I am concerned about killing them all off with a CBB. Your tank IS that crazy. You have multiple hard-to-keep and non-reef safe specimens in a gorgeous reef tank.

40%/month is fairly aggressive and must be a major contributing factor to the cleanliness of your system. For me that would be tough at 480g but I might step it up from 20% as the reef and animals mature.

[NanoCube-boy]

alright, i give it a read.

[Sea-nut]

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\Kodak Pictures\2006-04-22\

[Skipper]

Hey Sea-nut. The picture you are trying to show has to be on the internet somewhere. Your link above is to your own hard drive of which we don't have access.

[Sea-nut]

Sorry

[Skipper]

Not a problem. :D

[Sea-nut]

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\Kodak Pictures\2006-04-22\

[jnarowe]

:D hey Sea-nut, in the first post of this thread, you can see links to explain how to post pics. It is a PITA to learn and do, but you'll get the hang of it!

[Sea-nut]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/Sea-Nut/PICT0021.jpg
I hope it works this time.

[Sea-nut]

Thanks Skipper and Jnarowe.

[jnarowe]

And you made it a really nice one! Good job!

[Skipper]

Sweet picture. It was worth the effort. :D

[NanoCube-boy]

Sea nut, that is a sweet picture. What was you camera setting on that? What kind of camera?

[gregr]

Sweet! You should enter that in the Photo Contest (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=982118) :)

[Sea-nut]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.
Camera is Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1
ISO Speed 100
Shutter 1/25
Aperture 13.5
Focal lenght 60.00 mm
I hope this helps, I just copied that from my computer .
Thanks again

[Pistonkev]

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7784/sps002xs5.jpg


Sorry just a test

[NanoCube-boy]

I can never achieve these kind of photoshot, mine always come out fade or blurry.

[gregr]

Aquarium photography is very tricky- the more you know about photography the better your pictures will be. Try reading the articles in the sticky thread at the top of the forum and practicing some of the techniques. A little practice and some reading will do wonders for your picture quality.

[NanoCube-boy]

yea i agree with you man.

[internetreefer]

Nice picture

[A sea K]

Didn't know where to test and this seems as good a place as any.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z174/BrokenChain_2/IMG_0979.jpg
Don't be concerned for my ltittle goby, he is fine now.

[A sea K]

One more of a different size, same pic though.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z174/BrokenChain_2/IMG_0979.jpg

[NanoCube-boy]

It's really hard, I don't if my camera is good enough... How can I tell if my camera is good for these use?

[carib]

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxrKUp7BHD7KPfrj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQnlxnonxGJ0x v8uOc5xQQQ0eollJQPJJqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPGn%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442

[carib]

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxrKUp7BHD7KPfrj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQnlxnonxGJ0x v8uOc5xQQQ0eollJQPJJqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPGn%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442

[carib]

'http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=163073223/PictureID=3278606040/a=96929543_96929543/t_=96929543')

[carib]

http://thumbs.fotopic.net/003041000949.jpg?rot=0

[carib]

http://thumbs.fotopic.net/003041000949.jpg?rot=0http://thumbs.fotopic.net/003041000949.jpg?rot=0

[carib]

http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=ynzf23&outx=640&quality=70

[carib]

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is

[gregr]

NanoCube-boy-- what camera are you using? This article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/gr/index.php) will give you some ideas on how to improve your picture taking skills.
Carib- this article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/gr/index.php) has some good info on image posting and hosting sites.
Holler if you need clarification on anything.

[mcurl98]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/848655658_665f027503_b.jpg

[NanoCube-boy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10073812#post10073812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gregr
NanoCube-boy-- what camera are you using? This article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/gr/index.php) will give you some ideas on how to improve your picture taking skills.
Carib- this article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/gr/index.php) has some good info on image posting and hosting sites.
Holler if you need clarification on anything.

I'm using a Sony Camera Dsc-p8 with 3x optical zoom, 3.2 mega pixels.

[NanoCube-boy]

Check out my webpage, this is the best I can do with the camera.
http://hills.ccsf.edu/~ltran21/

[gregr]

Those are pretty darn good, especially considering the limitations of that camera.

[NanoCube-boy]

Well, yea, Itry my best with the camera, but it looks burry, I'm not sure why? I adjust the ISO, but iono either what's going on. I even place on macro mode, but still not as good at the other guys.

[gregr]

The most common causes of blurry pictures are slow shutter speeds and shooting at an angle into the tank. Using a tripod and shooting squarely into the tank will improve things in most cases. If you can put that camera in something like a sports mode (pets? kids?) it will bias the settings towards faster shutter speeds.

[NanoCube-boy]

hmm.. I guess I have to read up on the instruction to speed up my shutter. I'm not even show I speed up the shutter. I heard tripod helps a lot, but I think it's a little too much just to get some pictures of tank.

[gregr]

You can always put a chair and some books or whatever in front of the tank and prop the camera on that. Use the self-timer on the camera so it doesn't jiggle when you press the button. Your camera doesn't have shutter speed priority but it does have a "fast shutter" scene mode- give that a try.

[jnarowe]

tripods make a huge difference as does shutting down your pumps. check out Marc's (melev) home page for lots of good photog tips.

[NanoCube-boy]

Thanks guys, I'm going to read my manual and see if I can controlmy shutter speed.

[Barto]

great tips & advice in this sticky!
I think I learn something every time I read thru the photog forum
thanks to all

[LindaQ]

Thanks for all the great information. & the articles that explained Histogram.

[LindaQ]

Thanks for all the great information. & the articles that explained Histogram.

[dzb912]

nice nice niceee

[GrantMeThePower]

I have a question about white balancing with mixed lighting. I have 2 10K bulbs and 2 actinics...how do i properly balance this? I can set the white balance in my camera to any Kelvin i want, but I can't get a perfect image setting to either of those two.

Thanks!

[dancewithethan]

I'm new at this...any commons welcome.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=256023

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/503/188980IMG_0328__Desktop_Resolution_.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=256027

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=256028

How can I make my photos to show on the thread?

[Skipper]

Hey there. If you look at your picture in your gallery, under the image there is a text list. One of the items is "use this in image tag." Highlight that text, right click, and select copy. Then paste that in the thread with [ img] & [ /img] on each end (without the spaces I put in). I fixed one of them above.

[dancewithethan]

Skip,

Thanks for the information.

[nightime]

cool pics

[Manta]

Just a test (out of practice)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g309/Mobulid/IMG_8493.20.jpg

[Bob 1000]

Is this the hardest forum to post pictures on from a mac??? I think so.. I've uploaded lots of pictures to photo bucket and the only option to send photois to is my space facebook.. Please help Very frustrated, and I'm building a new set up now....

[BlueCorn]

4 of 6 of this site's administrators run Mac. ;) You're making it harder than it is.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=531326

[Bob 1000]

I'm lost on the email part.. I've already set up a photbucket account and I use .mac for my email.. Do I need to set up an alternate email account to send pictures from photo bucket to ref central??? If so I'll just browse... Thank you..

[Bob 1000]

http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/stagebeds/?action=view&current=Eiblimimictangandangel.jpg

[truthdesigns]

gregr do you have any flash tips and tricks?
I have spent the last three days reading these articles great info thanks!

[Gamepro_inc]

Thanks for the info

[jadalewis]

Tnx for sharing interesting pics and useful information i always have been looking for! ;)

[seashark]

Great tecniques guy,.you learn something everyday.

[goodtimes]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=5017&albumid=850&dl=1260421609&thumb=1 (http://http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?pictureid=5017&albumid=850&dl=1260421609&thumb=1)

[Greg 45]

http://http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy72/greg453/newcamera001.jpg

[spikes]

:eek2:http://skimmer 001.jpg

[marcin11379]

i have see people use bag for lens.this is helping with what?

[windowlicker916]

The link for photoshop tips is broken :(

[Ltlduc]

Test

[Ltlduc]

This is a test

[Ltlduc]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12166586@N04/6220906505/" title="Strange Light by ken.hubbell, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6220906505_c070df3b4f.jpg

[Misled]

Nice pic. If you use a hosting sight like photobucket, you can put up full size images.

[Ltlduc]

Ill Get this
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6220906505_c070df3b4f_z.jpg

[Ltlduc]

Got it

[Misled]

Very nice!!! Now go post more!!!! :thumbsup:

[HeisenbergReef]

test fail

[HeisenbergReef]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7210242992_60e9a9c533_b_d.jpg
test 2

[greech]

Image size test

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww93/greech/IMG_2299.jpg

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww93/greech/IMG_2290.jpg

[PAnanoguy]

test

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/inkedhdguy/IMG_1690.jpg

[Supra97]

Test
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/coastalsupra/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0402_zps8296d3ec.jpg
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/coastalsupra/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7442_zpscb9fb208.jpg
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/coastalsupra/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6886_zps48add7aa.jpg

[Supra97]

test
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/coastalsupra/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0402_zps8296d3ec.jpg

[Supra97]

size test
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/coastalsupra/Mobile%20Uploads/greenzoas.jpg

[dendronepthya]

I made a video on how I tweak white balance, black point, and saturation to improve my reef pics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhVY3zjBBc

[alpineroush]

Awesome