New user, first post!

[headshed69]

Hello all,

Been keeping fish for over 3 years now. In the last 6 months I ventured into African Mbuna and now have two tanks with different species in. Since getting in to the Malawis I have taken to Aquatic Photography in a big big way and bought a camera upgrade recently. Have been taking shots ever since!

Thanks to Juspohine for pointing this site out to me and hope to enjoy sharing with you soon. :-D

Here's my first two shots to get you all 'excited!' :lol:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/headshed/DSCF0312.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/headshed/DSCF0324.jpg

[paradise]

Welcome to APF. Those are great first photos to show. Please describe your setup for these shots, maybe we can help you improve even farther.

[headshed69]

As I'm just venturing into aquatic photography I am relying heavily on the 'auto' mode on my s7000. I took these shots in macro mode with the flash on. I stood at a slight angle to the glass and just above the fish in the hopes of minimising flash reflection. I find at the moment it is very much trial and error but I am willing to learn more techniques as I'd love to get in to photography full time.

[paradise]

I think those are VERY VERY good for direct flash technique. I dont get that "flashed" feeling from them too much. The 2nd shot particularly is very clean. Nice color and a good crop. Show us more shots, these are great.

[phishphorphun]

I agree with Ed. You have the "aquatic photography" mentality based on these first shots. Nice captures.

But, then again, normally I find African cichlid fishkeepers a bit ahead of the rest when it comes to photography.:-/ :lol:

[Ibn]

Bigger fish = easier to snap pictures. :lol:

Diffuse the flash a bit to get rid of the harsh shadows and it'll be hard to judge that these were done with onboard flash.

[headshed69]

Thank you for your very kind comments. I have plenty more where these came from so don't you worry about that! :lol:

Unfortunately my computer at home is down and I'm waiting for a new modem to be sent before I can upload new shots again. Having to use the PC at work and don't have access to them here. If I was able to convince the boss a fish tank would be good for staff morale and customer comfort perhaps I could post them here too! B-)

I'm also going to try the tissue paper trick to see what I can do with the shadows. I'll post new pics as soon as I can!

[RazorBlade]

Pseudotropheus saulosi, one of my fav Mbuna (I'm trying to get a colony of these guys, but the LFS around here don't stock them). ^_^

Thx for sharing!