How?

[kribensis12]

Hey, i have a Kodak EasyShare C300. I wanted to know if any of you guy's know of any good ways to let me take better pic's?

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

What types of things are you trying to improve on, I've got tons of suggestions no doubt but I need to know what you feel you want to improve on.

SLC

 

[Bloo]

This pinned topic may help to answer some of your questions.

 

[Colin_T]

This is some basic info for beginner photographers.

http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...otography-1-01/

 

[kribensis12]

I tried, and i failed, here are my results:

Red Wag Platy

24 kt Molly

Red Wag Platy

I know, very sad. I want clear images, that's all!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Looks to me like you have an old camera, or perhaps you were shooting with your cell phone?

You have a lot of noise, and the resolution is not very high. Apart from getting a newer camera I don't think there's anything you can do!

SLC

 

[Colin_T]

that camera should be fine but it looks like someone has set the film speed (ISO) too high thus creating the grainy images. You can usually change the ISO on digital cameras and you want to use a low ISO number, perhaps 100 or 200. The higher the number the more the image looks like your.

Slow shutter speed and lack of light can also cause problems. Make sure the flash is set to ON permanently when taking fish pics. And if possible set the shutter speed to 1/100sec or a little higher, up to 1/160sec.

 

[raptorrex]

I tried, and i failed, here are my results:

Red Wag Platy

24 kt Molly

Red Wag Platy

I know, very sad. I want clear images, that's all!!!!!!!!!!!!

two things here. light and the ISO setting on your camera. as colin says you should set a low, say 100 asa, setting on your camera. what is happening here is there is not enought light to take a picture. the camera then uses "gain" to try and produce a result. if you set 100asa, it will not be able tp do this. it will also stop you from taking pictures. so you will need to add some light, somehow. try using flash, i know many feel this does not look natural, it is however more natural than no picture at all.

 

[cheesy feet]

I'd suggest using the 'macro' mode, usually a button which has the symbol of flower on the camera.Apart from that a much lower ISO as others have said If your fish are slow moving go for as low as poss ISO, then you'll get much clearer pics.

Make sure the flash is set to ON permanently when taking fish pics.

I always take mine without, and they come out fine, so why?It's harder to get pics with flash on because you will probably get reflection off the glass, and it just won't look quite right.

 

[raptorrex]

I'd suggest using the 'macro' mode, usually a button which has the symbol of flower on the camera.Apart from that a much lower ISO as others have said If your fish are slow moving go for as low as poss ISO, then you'll get much clearer pics.

Make sure the flash is set to ON permanently when taking fish pics.

I always take mine without, and they come out fine, so why?It's harder to get pics with flash on because you will probably get reflection off the glass, and it just won't look quite right.

lol i forgot about macro, but that is not the problem with these photographs, or should i say, the whole problem.

if used carefully flash is a perfectly good way of photographing fish. it is easier to avoid reflections than it is to try and get a un-blurred photograph of a moving fish. especially with a camera that has a zoom lens. these lenses do not transmit much light, even when at its widest angle setting.
i would go as far as to say that the vast majority of professionaly taken fish photos, are taken with flash. granted not one set into the camera, but taken with flash all the same. i agree if there is enough light, avaliable light is a preferable way to take pics, it is just the simplest way to do it. however to freeze action and provide the finest detail, any professional photographer would choose flash. spend some time with your camera and get to know it, all the books and advice in the world will never get results like those of someone who really knows their camera.

just because most people dont have the skills to use flash effectivly, does not mean it is not the best, or even very good, way to do it. it just means that they have never learnt how.

 

[Colin_T]

I have the flash on because most tanks don't have sufficient lighting to allow for a good photo unless you use a high ISO number. Then you get grainy pictures like the ones above.
To prevent flash bounce (glare from the flash coming off the glass), just have the camera on a slight angle when shooting. Or you can have the camera right up against the glass and that will prevent it too.

The only time I don't use a flash is if I am shooting corals in a brightly lit tank. The flash messes up the colours. If the tank is dark (lights off) then I use a flash on corals and it works ok.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Yeah, I was assuming that you (like most) either don't know how, or don't know why to adjust the ISO. If your ISO is above 100 or 200 then you'll have problems. If your ISO is at 50 or 1200 or 200 then it's the camera. It also looks like either the focus is off, or perhaps you cropped in on the fish for these photos. 3.2 megapixels isn't a lot, you don't have much room for cropping with that resolution.

SLC

 

[kribensis12]

I had it on Zoom, but ust a little as it's hard to get a individual pic. I dont have a "macro"mode. I dont know how to mess with anything. Here is info about my camera so you know what im deaing with: http/www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jht...pq-locale=en_US
Hope fully i get a job, and when i do( im only 14, but have been putting in applications) i want to get a new camera. Any Suggestions? Remeber im a kid who is poor, i want something good, but in a 100-200 dollar price range.

 

[Colin_T]

you will need to have the flash set to "fill" when you use it and then the ISO will be 140iso according to the brochure.
The camera also is unable to focus on anything that is closer than 80cm away from it which will make fish photography a little more difficult but you should still be able to do it. You will just have to make sure the fish are 80cm away so they are in focus.
A fuji Finepix has a few more features and only costs about $150AU but they use an XD memoery card not an SD like the Kodak.
A cheap Canon, Sony, or Olympus will set you back between $100 & $200 and will have a heap more features making macro shots easier.

 

[cheesy feet]

Strange, my cheapish camera picks up light fine on the lowest ISO setting on even my lowest light tanks.Only cost £50
I'll have to attempt some more photos with flash. Heres one (and the other end without flash lol), taken with flash, it doesn't seem to give the right colour when using flash though.

Taken in 100gal with only one 36watt tube

Taken in nano with majority of light being completely blocked away by vallis leaves.