Peru Blue Tetra [Archive] - Aquatic Photography Forum

Mike Jacobs

07-19-2005, 1:27 AM

Ok guys . . . a first timer here! I really am open ears but "be gentle" as they say . . . :rolleyes:

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/1/1/0/8/PeruBlueGroup.jpg

. . . I hope this workes . . . :-/

Mike

phishphorphun

07-19-2005, 2:01 AM

Hey Mike I'm glad you succesfully posted an image. :lol:

Now about your image. It is so enjoyable to see a school of fish here. So often we concentrate on capturing a individual subject. Your shot is refreshing for that reason.

I'm guessing you are using the popup flash on the D70. It will do the job better if you diffuse it a little. When using the onboard flash, it creates a direct light on the subject and causes two problems. First, the reflection off the shiny, scaly subjects. Second, an overexposed (washed out) representation of the subject. You can reduce this effect by scotch taping a piece of tissue, copy paper or lens cleaning paper over the front of the flash. You may have to experiment with the different types of paper to get the best result.

Or you can redirect the flash above the subject. Placing a piece of index card in front of the flash like a periscope can bounce the light upwards

Try these techniques and see if you see any improvements.

Bobby

Mike Jacobs

07-20-2005, 2:40 AM

Thanks for the tip . . . actually the flash was an SB-800 ON the top of the camera but it was not "diffused" as you guessed.

OK . . . I pulled down the diffuser and this is the first pic I have ever done with the diffuser pulled down on the flash. I think I like it ;)

I know I have to be a bit more particular about the backgrounds but I am just walking around the fish room talking shots at the moment!

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/1/1/0/8/hongsloi.jpg

Mike

paradise

07-20-2005, 3:44 AM

Mike, much better. See you are learning already. :) Now put the camera on Commander mode, and put the flash on slave on top of the tank. Jay has posted instructions for d70 - SB800 commander / slave mode somewhere in the Hardware/ Nikon section. You will get a better color and even sharper image. Try it out.

BTW, the fish is STUNNING, nothing like that here on the west coast.

hir0

07-20-2005, 5:43 AM

Hi Mike, the built in diffuser is actually for getting the flash to shoot @ 14mm (a wider flash angle). When we say 'diffuse' it means to use something to tone down the strength of the flash. like the omnibounce that comes with the flash is a type of diffuser. try using the flash in commander mode as Ed recommended, and try putting something behind the tank - like a peice of black cardboard - to further eliminate distractions from objects behind the tank. I agree this is a gorgeous fish...

Ibn

07-20-2005, 1:18 PM

Looks great so far. The SB-800 is a great flash and only gets better as you tweak around with the settings.

BTW, you can pick those up on the West Coast also, Ed. :)

Beautiful A. honglsoi (red streak?) you have there. I've only seen two pairs of them around here and it was on the same day that I picked my A. viejita Rio Meta up.

JerseyJay

07-20-2005, 1:38 PM

Jay has posted instructions for d70 - SB800 commander / slave mode somewhere in the Hardware/ Nikon section.
Mike,

Here is step-by-step mentioned by Ed. Let me know if you have additional questions.

http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?p=16835#post16835

phishphorphun

07-20-2005, 1:49 PM

Mike, sorry for the mistaken identity of your flash. You are going to do great things with the SB800 sitting on top of the tank. There are so many tips and threads here on how to "bounce" the flash and diffuse it with a piec of paper.

My favorite setup that I use on a regular basis is laying the sb800 on the top of the tank pointing up. Take a couple sheets of high gloss photo paper stapled together and form an arc shaped tent over the sb800. It distributes the flash so much more farther and evenly into the "flash zone". I'll post a couple shots to show you what it looks like.

alanhill

07-20-2005, 7:48 PM

Nice work :-)

Don't spread it around ;) but aquarium photography is based on a set of pretty simple principles (IMHO):-
Make sure you have nice fishes to photograph [you can check this box already :-)]
Use decent kit [D70 + SB800 is better than decent]
Use soft, diffuse, natural-looking illumination [you're working on this]
Practise by taking photos and more photos and even more photos [start now!]
Learn a little about image processing [how good are your skills?]

Finally, and most important of all, look at our work here - feel free to add your comments - and keep posting your best photos. We are looking forward to seeing them.

Alan

Mike Jacobs

07-20-2005, 8:04 PM

I have to tell you how exciting this web site is . . . !!!!! When I found it I hollered for my wife to come and "see this".

This is great and I am probabally going to ask some unbelievably stupid questions but rest assured you folks have already inspired me.

For sure keeping fish has been a 50 year passion but as of 5-6 years ago taking good fish pictures has run a close second. It began with a Nikon N-70 and a Nikon 105mm Micro lens and now the 105 fits on the D-70 and now you guys . . . this is perfect.

I'm an old fart and I hope you all have a bit of a sense of humor but this site is better than a xxx-site!

I'm off to read about the "Command Mode"!!!

Thanks . . .

Mike

phishphorphun

07-20-2005, 8:15 PM

Hey Mike, know that feeling. BTW, glad to have another elderly around here to keep me and Ron company:lol:

Did you check this (http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4134) thread out that I did today. It was intended for you, but I just made a small article out it. Give it a try and let us see your shots.

alanhill

07-20-2005, 8:39 PM

I'm a greybeard too! Look at my photo in Team APF . . . on second thoughts, if you've eaten recently, don't look at it - just take my word for it :lol:

Alan

phishphorphun

07-20-2005, 8:43 PM

I'm a greybeard too! Look at my photo in Team APF . . . on second thoughts, if you've eaten recently, don't look at it - just take my word for it :lol:

Alan

I've seen it. I was just assuming you were premature. ;)

Mike Jacobs

07-20-2005, 8:44 PM

Obliviou$

07-20-2005, 9:47 PM

Putting the SB-800 in commander mode will indeed make a LOT of difference.
Welcome to the forum btw, it's a great place to learn stuff!

Looks like you have a pretty decent kick ass kit to start off with ;)