Photography Skills

[StandbySetting]

Well if you do compose a new guide I think it would be of benefit to the whole forum if it was placed both in the marine guide you're creating as well as in the members fish pictures, this is the board I've been referring to the whole time by the way, just in case it wasn't clear.

 

[lljdma06]

As an avid, amateur photographer, let me have a read of the current article & see what can be done to improve it, in addition to what you propose that it's missing. Jason Baliban, a planted tank expert, has done some very good, easy to understand lectures on the subject (can be applied to all areas of fish-keeping) & I kept his notes. It's of benefit to the entire forum & actually a good article can be placed in a generic location where all can see & comment & then linked to various resource centers. This is how I organize the various articles in PARC over at planted. All the threads linked within the single post are still active & are always open for updates. I'm on my iPhone now, so I can't do much now. I'll also discuss this with other mods as several of us are interested in photography.

Liz

 

[HappyGeorge]

I think specifically the article doesn't talk about tracking as a useful tool, makes no mention of basic composition guides (rule of thirds, fill the frame etc), for Marine relevance it needs to touch on WB more as fluorescent setting is no good for Marines it blues everything. Appropriate settings and some example photos would be good so people can see where they are making errors in their own pictures. I'm sure there would be other stuff if I sat down and started writing or went through my lesson plans but that's just off the top of my head.

 

[lljdma06]

Agreed, when I glanced at it, it was missing these items. Hey I do planted tanks, definitely know Golden Ratio & rule of thirds, so I hear ya. & yes Marine would have different settings for WB & color temp. Tripod use should also be mentioned. Like I said will have a more detailed look at the article & Baliban's notes. I think something really nice can be done.

 

[HappyGeorge]

In my experience of teaching people to take photographs (all be it in a very different set of circumstances), they take their knowledge and apply it to all areas of photography because as you know so many of the rules apply everytime you pick up a camera.

My aim was to produce a guide that started with the basic of setting the tank up as per the previous guide, and then to progress to the equipment. Most people will likely have a compact of some kind and it would be nice to give some advice on setting the camera up to give the best chance of a good shot without getting too technical.
I think it would then be useful to explain what things mean f-stops, shutter speed, ISO so that people who are a bit more interested or have a D-SLR and are using it on Auto mode can have some idea what they are doing when they adjust things.
Then maybe a little note on editing and even a little note on how to host your photos and upload them to the forum.
I think it would also be useful to include a guide to equipment to reassure people that you don't need an expensive camera to take a good shot and that entry level equipment to enhance their photography is very reasonable (as I say my trusty D100 is my main workhorse because I don't care if I drop it). Photography seems to attract a lot of snobbery, I don't profess to know it all, but I take a reasonable shot I know my way around Photoshop basics, I also know that a lot of people go out and buy a D3000, D3 or EOS D series and never take a photo that couldn't have been captured on a mobile phone, I know a guy who bought a D3 because I had a D2 and he wanted to show off, and then had to take it back as it didn't have an auto setting and he didn't know how to balance aperture and shutter speed.
I wanted to avoid debate I don't mind being questioned but I object to point scoring and the stupid which is better Nikon or Canon argument (no difference really by the way) and offer the good people on the Salty side a quick reference that they could start reading and stop when they got to the point it was too technical. I'm sure those without an interest in Photography wouldn't even scroll down far enough to know the section existed in fact I just opened up a second page to check where it was and I can't even find it, where is it?

So I am happy to do one, unless I'm being told I can't? and it would seem sensible for the Marine beginners to have a look, seeing as that is who it's aimed at and as we are already gathering useful info for the Marine section it could go in there for checking then if the Photographers like it too, then they can have it. Having taken photos of a few tanks salty and non it is more challenging to take salty ones, light issues, fast fish, macro opportunities etc. Most tropical or planted set ups, many of which are pretty sedentary (except cichlids which are similar in technique to photographing Motorcycle racing ) by comparison and the main issue is getting enough light to be thrown into the tank.

 

[Chris_C]

Just make one George .. there is no harm on improving the other guide. If others don't like the idea we can just have it for our marine forum.

 

[lljdma06]

Not to come off as rude, but I wouldn't call FW tanks sedentary. A bit of a blanket statement. Have you ever photographed cyprinids & characins? Just as fast as marine fish & you introduce the element of schooling behavior. I do acknowledge the differences between photographing SW vs FW, but having taken good photos of both types of systems, I don't personally find one type more difficult than the other, just different.

I want you to write the guide, but I really think it's something that all members can benefit from, not just SW.

But it's ultimately your decision. If you just want write for SW that's fine. I'll then link your post to the general sections & then edit some other posts to reflect a more general approach & with the mod team's approval, post the whole kitten-caboodle where everyone can see it and learn from it. You do what you feel comfortable doing. I don't want you to feel pressured to do something that you don't want to do.

I understand that the salties are in the process of improving your section. You all are doing great so far! Having assembled a resource center in planted with the assistance of other members, I can sympathize with any difficulties you may run into. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. One doesn't have to be a salty to help organize a section & perhaps I can save you some unecessary work.

Liz

 

[jameshughes1989]

I think it is threads like this that can split the forum. I personally think it would be great to do a new/revised guide on taking photos but make it universal so every can use it There can always be certain notes/points where elements may differ from both parts of the hobby.

I feel that people need to understand that this is a fish-keeping forum, not a specialised forum for one part of the hobby. Maybe people should venture out into different parts of the forum, not stick to their little cacoon.

I love FW and SW and I hate this divide, after all we are all in the same hobby, albeit different aspects. I hope this helps.


Note: My views were not aimed at anyone, just my view on the overall way the forum seems to be atm.

 

[MrLiam]

I think it is threads like this that can split the forum. I personally think it would be great to do a new/revised guide on taking photos but make it universal so every can use it There can always be certain notes/points where elements may differ from both parts of the hobby.

I feel that people need to understand that this is a fish-keeping forum, not a specialised forum for one part of the hobby. Maybe people should venture out into different parts of the forum, not stick to their little cacoon.

I love FW and SW and I hate this divide, after all we are all in the same hobby, albeit different aspects. I hope this helps.


Note: My views were not aimed at anyone, just my view on the overall way the forum seems to be atm.

Well said its a fish keeping forum not who's better FW or SW forum.

 

[StandbySetting]

I love FW and SW and I hate this divide, after all we are all in the same hobby, albeit different aspects. I hope this helps.

Amen.

 

[lljdma06]

I love FW and SW and I hate this divide, after all we are all in the same hobby, albeit different aspects. I hope this helps.

Amen.

Also agree. SW's the reason why I've got an RO unit in its box just sitting in my living room! Lololol

Looking forward to the guide.

 

[lewiss]

Wooooooo!! Hold on - a day at work and i've missed more arguing on here.

HappyGeorge I'd love to see that write up, please ignore anyone who's against. If you dont want to read it then don't.

There's a lot of people that do.

HG for taking the time to do a write up for us!

 

[MrLiam]

I would like to know how to take nice pics is it possible with a awful camera.

 

[sorgan]

the day someone shows me how to take good photos is the day you all get bombarded with azoox feeding photos

 

[MrLiam]

I would actually like to see them feeding

Hows your black sun coral