Teach me about composition

[vetteacher]

This was just a fun pic I took when I first got my camera. I haven't had time to really play with exposure settings to get any "real" pics for comment. So, I offer up this pic for comments on composition, so I can learn what to look for in a shot. What would take it from "kitchy" to "nice shot"?
http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/2/1/7/2/artsyjewelnew.jpg

[phishphorphun]

Sorry, not my cup of tea...;)

I'll let those who are into the artistic presentations comment.:-/ :-D

[Schnauzer]

Cathy,
I dont know if those are bubbles in the background or dirty glass. The first thing that you should do a little while before you take your pictures is to get the glass squeaky clean inside and out.
I know that isn't saying anything about composition but all the little things add up to good pictures.

[vetteacher]

Actually, the spots are algae that we let grow for the pleco to snack on. Since you brought it up, any input on good glass cleaning regimens? Seems to me, what appears clean to the eye isn't always clean to the camera.

[frankman]

This is a link to a simple step by step tutorial on composition. It's a good starting point:

http://asp.photo.free.fr/Composition/photoProgramCompMainClass.shtml

If you want to dive in at the deep end, try this

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/index.shtml

Alternatively, google away - there's so much out there. I've got loads of bookmarks. Just wish I had the time to read them all from "cover to cover".

If you want to learn specifically about aquarium photography, then you're at the right place. Go back and read all the threads. That's what I did. Ultimately, it's a matter of what works for you. Get ideas, not rules, since different gear and setups will give different results. Above all, break some rules!

Cheers, Frank

[alanhill]

The basic rule is to get the principal subject properly exposed, in focus and taking up a reasonable area in the frame. This shot falls down on the last bit: the fish needs to be at least twice as large IMHO.
The processing is a matter of taste: I like to see experiments like this, but I'm not easy to please ;)
A little more contrast and cloning out some of the spots would help a little, but it won't turn this image into a masterpiece.

Alan

[vetteacher]

Frank, thanks for the sites. I am slowly but surely making my way through them. Good stuff.

And, thank you Alan. Feedback helps me see how the general "rules" of composition apply to aquatic photography. BTW, it wasn't a processing thing, it's a shooting mode on my camera that you can tell it to only "see" one color and it changes the rest to black and white. It took me forever just to resize this thing for the web, I'm no where near trying this stuff post-production. (In fact, if the camera hadn't been on auto exposure, I wouldn't have a pic to show. But, I practice every day by taking a couple hundred shots and playing with the exposure. Thank goodness I am learning this digitally and have a 2GB memory card.:lol: )