Help getting amazing pics. Nikon D90

Loki · Jan 9, 2012

I have a Nikon D90 and two lenses. A 1.8 35mm and a 55-200 4-5.6

I usually shoot in raw and manual when on shoots but I can't for the life of me get anything to look right in the tank. My white balance only goes to 10,000K and I am thinking that I need around 12-14k.

I need help getting the color that I see other people getting.

Thank you!

STL · Jan 10, 2012

I use Lightroom/Photoshop or similar for white balance. White balance limits are much higher and you have a tint option.

blurry · Jan 28, 2012

When shooting with LED actinics I'vehad issues with adobe's SW being able to balance, I have to use NX2

Loki · Jan 29, 2012

Same here. I shoot 10k on the camera an then edit up to 50k with lightroom but it's still not ideal. But with that said I have still taken some good shots that are a little blue.

Some of my pics are here.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/76245-loki2902s-120-gallon-escape.html

CJO · Jan 30, 2012

Have you tried using a white card and shooting a custom white balance?

CJ

returnofsid · Jan 30, 2012

Since you're shooting in RAW, set the white balance, in post editing.

Another option, would be to set a custom white balance, set to your tank. Get a white styrofoam picnic plate and place a small pen mark in the center. The pen mark is only for focusing needs. Place the plate in your tank, under the lights. Focus on the pen mark, filling the entire photo with the white plate, and take a photo of it. Now, use this photo to set a custom white balance.

By doing this, you're telling the camera, "this is white." The camera will then adjust, to make the plate white. It'll then make the same adjustment, to any photo taken, when in that custom white balance setting.