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Thread: How to shoot

  1. #1
    Registered Member Blademan's Avatar
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    Default How to shoot

    I have Seen a photo which just shows the fish perfectly however the entire background was black the effect was really nice anyone know how I can achieve this look
    Last edited by Blademan; 09-25-2015 at 11:01 PM. Reason: Missed word

  2. #2
    Registered Member rickztahone's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Using flash, specifically off camera flash is typically the way to achieve this.

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  3. #3
    Registered Member Discus-n00b's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Agreed, if you can just pour light onto the fish as in an overhead flash the background will usually be darker. I'd say a lot of people achieve full black with some post work in photoshop though.
    -Matt


  4. #4
    Photo Guru SMB2's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Also, having a dark background helps, with as little reflective surfaces as possible.
    Try playing with F stops as well. With high F stops, usually 16-22 light cast behind the fish will be reduced but that is usually only if the tank is pretty wide.
    As Matt says if you get a pretty dark background, you can easily make it black in post processing.

    The blue background is F8 and the black F22. Same strobe (flash). Notice, there is a difference in depth of field. These shots are underwater so I had an infinite column of water (a very wide tank!) behind the subject.
    Ricardo and Matt are the tank guys so I would take their direction on flash position. With Digital you get instant feedback and unlimited chances to try different approaches.

    20140919_Day 9 Porto Marie_122932_9269.jpg

    20140919_Day 9 Porto Marie_123101_9271.jpg
    Stan

    SIMPLY DISCUS IS AN OXYMORON

  5. #5
    Registered Member rickztahone's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    A perfect example Stan! Thanks for chiming in.

    Click here to view my 75g Acrylic Tank w/ Bean Animal Overflow with 40g Sump Thread

    Also, click here for my 25 group of discus grow out thread


    http://i3.cpcache.com/product/162117...ht=75&width=75
    Want to look like Al did at his ACA talk with his white Simply Polo shirt?(You can catch Al's awesome Discus talk HERE)
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  6. #6
    Registered Member Blademan's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Quote Originally Posted by Discus-n00b View Post
    Agreed, if you can just pour light onto the fish as in an overhead flash the background will usually be darker. I'd say a lot of people achieve full black with some post work in photoshop though.
    so positon flash over the tank firing down or bounce off the ceiling above ?

    High F number F22

    should i set flash for TTL or manual ?

    Thanks
    Last edited by Blademan; 09-28-2015 at 01:34 AM.

  7. #7
    Registered Member Blademan's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Quote Originally Posted by SMB2 View Post
    Also, having a dark background helps, with as little reflective surfaces as possible.
    Try playing with F stops as well. With high F stops, usually 16-22 light cast behind the fish will be reduced but that is usually only if the tank is pretty wide.
    As Matt says if you get a pretty dark background, you can easily make it black in post processing.

    The blue background is F8 and the black F22. Same strobe (flash). Notice, there is a difference in depth of field. These shots are underwater so I had an infinite column of water (a very wide tank!) behind the subject.
    Ricardo and Matt are the tank guys so I would take their direction on flash position. With Digital you get instant feedback and unlimited chances to try different approaches.



    20140919_Day 9 Porto Marie_122932_9269.jpg

    20140919_Day 9 Porto Marie_123101_9271.jpg

    Thanks the first shot is what I am trying to create, no other lights on either over the tank or in the room?

  8. #8
    Registered Member rickztahone's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Quote Originally Posted by Blademan View Post
    so positon flash over the tank firing down or bounce off the ceiling above ?

    High F number F22

    should i set flash for TTL or manual ?

    Thanks
    straight down. The further you are to the back wall, the easier it will be to get a darker background. If the flash is closer to the back wall, the light can "spill" over to your background.

    Click here to view my 75g Acrylic Tank w/ Bean Animal Overflow with 40g Sump Thread

    Also, click here for my 25 group of discus grow out thread


    http://i3.cpcache.com/product/162117...ht=75&width=75
    Want to look like Al did at his ACA talk with his white Simply Polo shirt?(You can catch Al's awesome Discus talk HERE)
    You can get this and many more items such as T-shirts/Polos/hoodies/cups from our merchandise shop:
    Cafepress.com

  9. #9
    Registered Member Discus-n00b's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    Agreed with Ricardo. However you can do either. You can even get a piece of white plastic rain gutter and shoot the flash up into that which will bounce it back into the tank. I shoot a higher Fstop as well. I personally use manual mode on the flash so I can dial it down or up depending on where I need it. With a direct flash I often find myself only using it at 1/2 or 1/4 power. Manual IMO will just give you more control in this situation. ETTL/TTL will do some metering/exposure for you, basically you vs camera controlling the flash. Since I basically establish a "zone" in the tank where I will be shooting the fish as they pass through, I can go ahead and set up everything and fire off some test shots to get my exposures right or close and then lay in wait. It's more like a portrait photo session than a wedding if that makes sense. Having a flash that can do both is a bonus.

    TTL would be a plus in situations like on the fly, urban areas, outside with changing lighting conditions, etc. Manual is better for portrait and as close to still work as possible. Since I'm working in a fairly small area with set lighting and controlled parameters though a bit of moving subjects, I choose manual.
    -Matt


  10. #10
    Photo Guru SMB2's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    One minor tip: Clean the front glass very well and time your photo sessions before meals so the water column is as clear as possible.
    Stan

    SIMPLY DISCUS IS AN OXYMORON

  11. #11
    Registered Member Blademan's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to shoot

    All good tips thanks guys, I will try it out and see what results I get

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