Various Mbuna

[jusophine]

Well I've decided not to enter anymore of the Aquatic POTM contests. The standards are simply too high and I feel with the equipment I have I have reached my limit! The elite photographers who consistantly place in the POTM contests are fantastic, their perfection way beyond my capabilities.

So...I'm going to post my pictures which aren't technically great, but as a lover of Mbuna, appeal to me anyway.

Harmless confrontation(You will see my dominant Crabro in the foreground, difficult to capture with the dark background).
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Fight.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/OB-One.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Acei.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Double-Reds.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Double.jpg

My 2 'Hybrid' Syno's line up for a photo!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Refuse-collectors.jpg

My recently rescaped biorb 60.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/New-lights.jpg

[alanhill]

I like the first shot and the ones of the two red zebras. You are quite right in saying that we are all working within the limitations of our equipment. Obviously the more you can spend or choose to spend on equipment, the wider the range of photos you can take and the higher quality you expect.
But no amount of equipment will get you a photo like your first unless you have the technique, imagination and co-ordination to push the shutter button at the right moment. It also helps to have the skill to keep such nice fish in such obviously good condition. Please keep on posting photos here.

Alan

[Andreas Werth]

Hi Jusophine,
in addition to what Alan has said, one could think about a "special contest" only for photos made with compact cameras (without extra flash, changeable optics) etc. One condition could be, that there must be exif info available with the jpeg. That could be interesting, couldn´t it?

[jusophine]

I'm sorry Andreas, I think I must be pretty thick because I'm not sure what you mean by the last sentence?:confused:

Alan, I really appreciate your comments and will continue to persevere. Thankyou.

[chubasco]

Luv the first photo and where did you find such a neat fishbowl? I like cool containers that don't have to
be boxes of glass:-D Jusophine, as Alan said, please do post your pics!

I also agree that it is abit daunting to go up against a few of these guys plus the 2 administrators...but
once in a great while....David bests Goliath:-D

[Andreas Werth]

I'm sorry Andreas, I think I must be pretty thick because I'm not sure what you mean by the last sentence?:confused:

I meant that nearly every camera places exif informations in the photos, like model, FNumber etc.
And if one is careful with post processing, most infos stay there - and Ed would be able to control the camera...

[jusophine]

The fish bowl is a Reef One 'biOrb', this is a 60L but they also come in a 30L variety. They are very cooll and all the rage in the UK despite some serious aquarists scoffing at them. With the right positioning and planting/stocking, they can be stunning. This one has the filter in the base, and and 'intelligent' light that starts a cycle of daylight at 1200 going to moonlight at 2200(LEDS).;)

[headshed69]

Hi Juspohine,

I love these shots of yours. You capture exactly what keeping mbuna is all about.

Thanks for pointing this site out to me and I hope to see more of your offerings! :-D

Dave

[chubasco]

The fish bowl is a Reef One 'biOrb', this is a 60L but they also come in a 30L variety. They are very cooll and all the rage in the UK despite some serious aquarists scoffing at them. With the right positioning and planting/stocking, they can be stunning. This one has the filter in the base, and and 'intelligent' light that starts a cycle of daylight at 1200 going to moonlight at 2200(LEDS).;)

Wow, a 16 gallon fishbowl! You have the flagship model with LED lighting:-D I went to the Reef1 Biorb site
and they now have a cylindrical tank (Biube) and a 15L model.

Thanks for sharing, Jusophine;)

[paradise]

Jusophine, dont be discouraged. First, we are redoing our whole POTM structure, it will be VERY VERY different come next month. So different that many will be shocked :) See, we listen.

Second, those shots of yours are AWESOME. The first one, plus the red zebras, great stuff, and the last one could be a product shot for the company. You are doing great. Many wish they could do this good.

[phishphorphun]

Jusophine, we have chatted before. And I want to repeat what Ed said. We are listening to the membership. And, we are going to be making some drastic, and positive, changes to the contests here. As well as feature some things where everyone will be able to compete fairly and equitably.

Your talent is too good to be discouraged. The first shot in this series provides more entertainment than most of the "high end" captures you were referring to. The fishbowl shot is awesome.

As Alan has already touched on, the equipment is our tools, but the craftsman is the performer who gets the job done better than his peers. Getting the best out of your equipment is where the rewards are delivered.

[Andreas Werth]

JFirst, we are redoing our whole POTM structure, it will be VERY VERY different come next month. So different that many will be shocked :)

Now i´m curious! :-)

[jusophine]

Thankyou Bobby and everyone else. I hope you didn't think I was 'throwing my toys out of the pram!'. I'm looking forward to seeing all the changes and I've been busy snapping over the last few days with new enthusiasm.

I've loved photography since I was bought a Haminex 110 at the age of 8, and I'm certainly not gonna hang up my Fuji jusy yet.;)

[paradise]

Now if only we could get people to vote :( Only 20 votes on entries right now.

Changes are a-coming! Andreas, all you have to do is say the word, and you will be once again privy to all the fun info "behind the scenes" you know what I am talking about :) :)

[Andreas Werth]

Hi Ed,
sorry, i don´t have the answer. Hope to get some more voters on my own site for the current potm, too.

>Changes are a-coming!

I´ve seen some of the forerunners... I hope you and the team got some feedback also after the last newsletter.

>say the word

Thank you. Unfortunately my private situation and available time hasn´t changed much after our last talk. But i try to be up to date.

[jusophine]

A few more pics, that mainly feature 'Nobby' the Wonder Fish, a real character in my tank.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Nob-Head.jpg

Gutted that this was out of focus as I love the composition and movement.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Ripple.jpg

Blowing a kiss!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Kiss.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/Longshot.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/jusophine/left.jpg