How can I....

[pinkfloyd]

...Get pictures using "natural" light without a flash? I am a beginner photographer. My dad got me a Nikon D100 digital with Tamron AF macro lense. Unfortunately, I dont know exactly how good this stuff is, or what capabilities they have to offer. Just hoping someone knows how to use this stuff and maybe can help me, thanks,
Craig.

hey Craig, welcome. That was QUICK. I just commented on CM about your camera/lens, then got back here, and saw this post. :)

As far as the help, First, I would like for you to list some other things, like Lighting you are using, tank size, and anything else you think we may need to help.
Ed

[pinkfloyd]

Well, lets see.... as for lighting... I guess you mean lighting in my fish tank?.... or my flash..?
Yea... I am using a flash called a nikon speedlight sb-80dx but im going for a more natural approach, without a flash preferrably. The tank is not too bright, I can post a picture later. It is about 40 gallons.

[ccplim]

And which Tamron macro lens are you using? The 90mm f/2.8?

[pinkfloyd]

I am using the 90mm. last night my dad showed me one more lens I can use. This one is a Tamron sp AF aspherical. He said it would be better for further away shots (tank shots), since the other lens only seems to have the "focusing" affect, rather than a zoom affect. So I took a few pics, and they werent capturing what I wanted to see in the picture. I want to take a picture and have it come out exactly like what im looking at. Thats what i'm tryin to do basically.

[meriadoc]

that kind of lens is what we call a prime lens, or fixed focal length, just like your macro lens is a prime lens.

[pinkfloyd]

Ahh ok. I'm just having trouble making my pictures look natural... maybe im not being specific enough...
I want the end result of my picture to look exactly like what i'm looking at. Without any added flashes or stuff. But, i'm having serious trouble finding out how to do this.

[Molino]

Do the pics turn out? and just the colours seem to be off? If this is the problem adjusting the white balance to match the lighting conditions should help. Depending on the spectrum of light you have above your tank you can adjust the white balance setting on your camera accordingly.

Example: Incandescent, Florescent, Sunny, etc...

[meriadoc]

umm, are you just talking about your tank pictures? or all images coming out of the camera?

[pinkfloyd]

Mainly tank shots.
This was the last pic I took of my fish,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/rushand2112/Craigspics048.jpg
The picture was taken at night...

[pinkfloyd]

Is anyone familiar with the camera i'm using?

[meriadoc]

not really.

but, from that, i'd say get more light on your tank. the more light, the more natural the colors will be.

I'd also be inclined to play with the color settings on the camera, boost the contrast and even the saturation a little more. One thing I don't like about CCD sensors is that they have a difficult time with color and contrast in poorly lit situations. For some reason the CMOS sensors handle just that little bit better.

Play with the camera, what mode do you have it on currently?

[pinkfloyd]

Its currently on "program" mode , "it does everything for you" (I asked my dad, thats what he said)

PF, here is the basic scoop.
1. Clean the glass, those spots will not help you w/your pics looking good :)
2. If you want to not use flash, get more lights, it's that simple. What you want to look for is high wattage and the right spectrum (daylight). Coralife and JBJ make nice fixtures. There are less expensive Halogen setups that are $30 at Home Depot, but they give off a very yellow spectrum light, so you have to adjust your White balance setting accordingly.
3. Once you got the lighting down, learn if your camera has a manual mode, and learn to shoot w/out flash, at the lowest aperature, with the highest possible Shutter speed that still gives you nicely colored and exposed pictures. Play with the white balance settings to get the right colors up, if you get comp. flourescent lights, then use the flourescent setting, and so on.
4. Learn the focusing distance of your prime lens, and make that your distance from the fish, and use manual focus to adjust it correctly. I know my 50mm lens is 1.5 feet so I try to keep that distance from the subject and it works well.

I may have missed a few basics, but someone will add to this.
Ed

[ccplim]

Mainly tank shots.
This was the last pic I took of my fish,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/rushand2112/Craigspics048.jpg
The picture was taken at night...

It is hard to tell much based on the picture. I feel that a detailed description of your tank setup and EXIF data for the pic will really help.

[pinkfloyd]

Ok, so I pulled out my cannon powershot A70 and this was the end result.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/rushand2112/Craigspics058.jpg
Its not that great, but its a start, i'm, still working with the other camera.
Thanks alot for the help everyone.