Capture the Scene Challenge

[gparr]

Now that we've proven that P&S cameras can produce good coral/reef photos, let's try a new challenge:

Snorkel Diver magazine needs an opening-spread photo for a story on reef colors. The magazine's diving photographers have failed to produce, so they've turned to us to deliver shots from reef aquariums that look like they were taken in an actual reef. Your job is to capture a portion of your reef aquarium and make it look like it was taken by a diver. It has to be in focus, white balance corrected, no visible tank equipment, minimal-to-no blown out areas, and have a composition that uses the Rule of Thirds. Below is an example of what the magazine's editors want. Can you meet the challenge?

 

[ReeferRob]

Rule of Thirds??

 

[DHaut]

Rule of thirds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[mpoletti]

Terry's tank is sweet

 

[mpoletti]

You might need to help me a bit in the undertanding Gary, but please tell me the reason why these might now apply. Thanks

 

[gparr]

Mark,
These work, but for this challenge the object is to get me "into" the reef. Your shots are nice shots of what is clearly a reef aquarium. Now get closer and compose a portion of the reef so I can imagine I'm SCUBA diving and looking at a portion of a reef wall. You have an ideal setup for accomplishing this. And adjust the white balance while you're at it.

*^$!!&%$!!! I really want to photograph that aquarium!!

Gary

 

[SDguy]

Maybe (though foreground is out of focus)

 

[gparr]

Terry's tank is sweet

Yes, it is one beautiful setup. I have more shots. Just haven't had a chance to process them. When I was there a few weeks ago he was on the verge of moving. Richard was going to round up some people to help. I hope his colonies don't suffer too much from the move. Stunning stuff in that tank from wall to wall.
Gary

 

[mpoletti]

I know Gary, My white balance is really off

Ok, I think I've got the idea. I might not have the one right now, but it might give me a reason to get the camera out as its been a couple months.

Like I said before, you just need to get a gig out here and make sure you bring a few extra storage cards

I don't think these work under your standards, but I'll share either way

I always like these shots as well

 

[mpoletti]

Maybe (though foreground is out of focus)

Nice shots Peter

 

[DHaut]

Maybe i'm too picky, but wouldn't a tank need to be a biotope in order to look like a realistic reef wall? Most of us have such mixed tanks that none of them will look like they do in the wild - i can just see some knowledgeable reader saying "hey! those two SPS species are found on different sides of the world! i'm onto you tricksy magazine!"

Edit: not to mention that due to lighting and low-nutrient environments and selective breeding, most of the corals in our tanks are much more colorful than in the wild.

 

[SDguy]

Nice shots Peter

Thanks Mark, I hate having to post right after yours!! :crossedlips:

 

[benny z]

really wish these were better shots - if this is the type of shot you are looking for i can go take some better ones with my new camera.

gary, you know which tank this is.

 

[inactive]

I think I'm done taking photographs.

 

[Wy Renegade]

Wow! Nice photos and nice tanks guys.

 

[gparr]

Without question you are right. We all know that. Our reef tanks, for the most part, are our interpretation of what a reef would look like, combined with a collection of corals we enjoy. Along the same lines, very few flower gardens represent natural biotopes. They're what we find visually pleasing.

It should be obvious that the reason I'm doing these challenges is to encourage people to get better and more interesting photos of their reefs/corals. Plus, it's just fun and, when you get good images, they're fun to share with family and friends.

Gary

Maybe i'm too picky, but wouldn't a tank need to be a biotope in order to look like a realistic reef wall? Most of us have such mixed tanks that none of them will look like they do in the wild - i can just see some knowledgeable reader saying "hey! those two SPS species are found on different sides of the world! i'm onto you tricksy magazine!"

Edit: not to mention that due to lighting and low-nutrient environments and selective breeding, most of the corals in our tanks are much more colorful than in the wild.

 

[roshi719]

Gary, is this what you are looking for?

 

[DHaut]

Gotcha - I thought these photos were going to go in a magazine simulating natural environments. I do think it's a cool idea, fwiw.

Without question you are right. We all know that. Our reef tanks, for the most part, are our interpretation of what a reef would look like, combined with a collection of corals we enjoy. Along the same lines, very few flower gardens represent natural biotopes. They're what we find visually pleasing.

It should be obvious that the reason I'm doing these challenges is to encourage people to get better and more interesting photos of their reefs/corals. Plus, it's just fun and, when you get good images, they're fun to share with family and friends.

Gary

 

[gparr]

I just made up the magazine to create a story for the challenge. To my knowledge there is no magazine named Snorkel Diver.
Gary

 

[DHaut]

I just made up the magazine to create a story for the challenge. To my knowledge there is no magazine named Snorkel Diver.
Gary

you're messin with my head man! also, i smell a business opportunity...you in?