bristlenose

[mrlimpet]

hi, i haven't been shooting or posting much - too busy.

well, i finally found some time. here's a recent shot with macro lens. would increasing the f-setting increase my depth of field so that the back of my bristley's head would be as sharp as the bristles? what settings would you recommend?

do you employ different settings/strategies when shooting bottom-dwellers, as opposed to fish that swim in the mid- to upper-levels?

thx for your comments.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8453/closeuplazyhead8xe.jpg

[phishphorphun]

More information about your setup would help with numbers suggestions. Which camera, which lens, and what flash setup would help.

The area of the tank where the subject is to be captured, is mainly influenced by the amount of light first. If the flash is coming from above, and the subjects are on the bottom, normally a mid to low aperature will suffice. For example, I shoot most of my flash shots from f/14 to f/22 with a 60mm Nikker macro lens. But, I would normally adjust the power and diffusion of the flash more so than changing the f/stop.

Btw, neat head shot of your male ancistrus.

[mrlimpet]

thx for your reply bobby. here are some details...

Camera Model Name
NIKON D100
Shooting Date/Time
3/20/2006 10:35:48 PM
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/60
Av( Aperture Value )
11.0
Exposure Compensation
0
Flash
On

i'm sry i don't have more of the details. (i really need to record all my settings for each shooting session.)

the macro lens used was a nikon af micro nikkor 60mm 1:2.8d. you don't remember me, but you helped me the last time i posted shortly after i inherited this camera and assorted lenses. this shot was taken with the on-camera flash only. it was not diffused with tissue.

[phishphorphun]

You have two different cameras in your sig, that is why I wasn't sure which camera you were using.

My suggestion is to shoot in M mode at ISO 200. Set your shutter speed to 1/200s (although it may not make any difference with flash), f/16 and diffuse the flash with some tissue. Try two layers of bathroom tissue taped on. Then add or decrease it until you have the best results. With a darker subject, you may want to increase the exposure compensation to +.3 to +1.0.

You may want to invest in a flash unit that you can take off the camera. Even if you use a cord, at least you can move it in the 10:00 and 1:00 position for your fish shots. Or try it from above.

You know, that ansistrus shot is well exposed. A little photoshop levels would help it really jump out.

[Obliviou$]

Bobby,
The question is, will 1/200 at f/16 with a diffused onboard flash be enough light?
Does the flash have that kind of power?
And when you shoot in Manual, I would think the exposure compensation would be irrelevant seeming that YOU decide all factors of exposure, not the camera. Though the flash compensation I can see could be upped.

Limpetm
I think you did a good job, and I bet with some practice you will kickass soon. What's most important is to focus on the eye. Even though the DOF is slim, the picture will seem a lot sharper if the focus is placed on the eye.

[phishphorphun]

Alex is right. My error. I am too use to shooting with the SB800 with those settings. Although you can still shoot with a faster shutter speed, you will have to increase the aperture to about f/5...which would defeat your purpose of a bigger area of focus.

Sorry for the bad advice.

[mrlimpet]

thx for your comments, compliments, and corrections.

i do have an sb50dx remote flash unit that i've tried resting on top of the tank on an opaque sheet of plexiglass. to be honest, i don't notice much difference in the shots taken with the slave flash unit vs. those taken with just the on-camera flash.

:idea: i will not take anymore shots without keeping a log of all the settings during the shoot. that's the only way i'm gonna make any progress. will post again soon with complete information.:exclaim: