This any better?

[gman0526]

I know the extraction could've used some more finesse, but other than that what do you guys think? This was not an easy fish to photograph :-D

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/ReefPR/White-Ghost.jpg

[Travis Bickle]

I wish it was more facing the camera. But... I like this shot a lot!
I like the soft focus(not without detail), and slight glow of the fish, the way the background is blurred and the way it is blurred into the frame. Very nice.

[gman0526]

TY Travis, I just wish I could do selections a lot better. Even using the feather option it looks rough IMO. Have any pointers? BTW using CS2

[Travis Bickle]

In this shot I don't think it looks that bad, I kinda like it. It doesn't look like a mistake really.

I usually use masking for this type of shot.

Most "expert" photoshop users would probably say use the pen tool and create a path. They are probably right. But I like most average users find it hard to use, frustrating and give up.

I just use Masking... I'll start out rough and draw in the fish. If I make a mistake or go over the line of the fish, no problem, just hit the x key and that will flip the colours and paint with the opposite to fix it up, hit x again and continue on. Zoom in to touch up the edges.
It can take some time, but its worth it.

Someone once said there isn't any bad photoshop, only bad selections. lol

[gman0526]

How about this one?


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/ReefPR/Bluetooth1.jpg

[chubasco]

How about this one?


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/ReefPR/Bluetooth1.jpg

Jorge, that's a riot of color, great capture!:) What kind of lighting did you use?

[JerseyJay]

Jorge,

Last shot is phenomenal ! I love the pose and the look on the face. Coloration is just amazing in salt water fish. This should would have been perfect is bottom had well exposed sand vs. glass.

Thanks for sharing !

[gman0526]

Now we're talking, :D I used the onboard flash and the tank's lights (175 W 10000K MH x2) on this, let's just say I got REALLY lucky. TY guys for the complimets. Now I gotta start saving for that DSLR :D


BTW Jay, no way you'll see sand in my main tank. let's say I'm one of those crazy barebottom SW tank guys. :D

[JerseyJay]

BTW Jay, no way you'll see sand in my main tank. let's say I'm one of those crazy barebottom SW tank guys. :D
Why not ?

I had 90G reef in my fishroom with sand / corals / fish / invertebrates

[gman0526]

I believe that sand will lead to more problems than it will ever solve. Nutrient sink, so to speak that will eventually saturate and release everything back on to the water and lead to all kinds of algae problems, corals not doing good etc. Seen it b4 :D , but there's of course legions of people that have tanks with sand beds and are succesful, just goes to show us that there's no set way to skin a cat. I for one prefer to export the waste before it gets processed in the tank (via protein skimming, massive flow, etc.)

Let's say that the barebottom vs. DSB debate is to SW fishkeeping kinda like what the Canon vs. Nikon debate is to photography, both options work you just have to choose/pick your venom.

Hope I explained it clearly enough without going into scientific Mumbo-Jumbo.

Cheers, happy fishes and TY for your feedback guys.

Jorge

[gman0526]

Ok.. new effort on the Ramirezi, rip it apart. :lol:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/ReefPR/RAmireziPS2.jpg

BTW, I've looking for flash diffuser options for my onboard flash, does anybody have any links to some DIY kinda thing, I would really appreciate it. TY

[gman0526]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/ReefPR/HectorAla.jpg

New effort out a friend's tank

[alanhill]

I rather like the ram shot (sorry I missed it previously). It's quite a nice pose and the focus and exposure are spot-on. It could use a little more work to remove the reflection at the top right and perhaps to open up the middle tones a little (using the histogram to guide you).
On the other hand your peacock has been processed too much. All that sharpening has given it a slightly unreal quality IMHO: but the basic photograph looks pretty good to me.

Alan

[phishphorphun]

The ram and the peacock suffer from "overkill" in post processing.:badgrin:

Both are excellent captures. You have to show some restraint when attempting to sharpen your photos. :-|

That's my oppinion....and I'm sticking with it.:lol:

[Andreas Werth]

Hi,
one can easily see that the background has been blurred or softened.
Try separating the fish with appropriate choice of aperture instead or choose another background.

[edit] i have to admit: depth of field is not easy to control with compact cameras.

[gman0526]

TY for your comments/pointers guys this is why I post these here because I get honest feedback. I'll work on not overdoing it next time around. :D

[chubasco]

TY for your comments/pointers guys this is why I post these here because I get honest feedback. I'll work on not overdoing it next time around. :D

The oversharpening thing, don't let it get you down:-D I have a pic in my gallery of a betta against an oak leaf that I've oversharpened to where the scales look like a wood rasp!:lol:

For P&S pics, I think you're doing great!:-)

[aficio]

Wow Wow Wow Jorge!

Nice shoot's

Saludos

[gman0526]

The oversharpening thing, don't let it get you down:-D I have a pic in my gallery of a betta against an oak leaf that I've oversharpened to where the scales look like a wood rasp!:lol:

For P&S pics, I think you're doing great!:-)


:lol: , now that's what I call encouragement. :badgrin:

Aficio, TY very much.

[chubasco]

:lol: , now that's what I call encouragement. :badgrin:

Aficio, TY very much.

That didn't come out right: I think you're doing great regardless of what camera you're using, and look
forward to your future efforts!

[RazorBlade]

Agree with the comments from every1.

But I must say, that's a really neat Peacock! Jacobfreibergi "Otter Point" right?

[gman0526]

That didn't come out right: I think you're doing great regardless of what camera you're using, and look
forward to your future efforts!

I totally got that from your first post. ;)

I meant that it's encouraging to know that you didn't think mine looked like that bad :lol: . And don't worry I actually have a very thick skin, so please if anybody sees anything that can be improved please say so, I'm here to learn.

[gman0526]

Agree with the comments from every1.

But I must say, that's a really neat Peacock! Jacobfreibergi "Otter Point" right?

Actually the fish is a friend's , I think he told me it is a Eureka Red, but since my FW fish knowledge is so limited i couldn't tell you for sure if you're right or wrong. TY for your comment.