Lani's Random Reef Photography

Lalani · Jan 22, 2014

Well, I've been getting a lot of great feedback for my photos lately, thanks guys! So I'll start posting random reef shots in this thread and hope you all enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them.

All shots are taken with a Canon T2i. The close-ups/macros with a Canon 100mm macro and the wider angle shots are usually taken with a Sigma 10-20mm.

These first ones are from a shoot I did for a LFS, Reef Coral in Baton Rouge, LA. Still haven't gone through all of the pics I took there, so I might have a few more to post later!

IMG_2754 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2760 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2766 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2784 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2843 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2858 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2878 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2884 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2159 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2185 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

GHill762 · Jan 22, 2014

Lalani said:
Well, I've been getting a lot of great feedback for my photos lately, thanks guys! So I'll start posting random reef shots in this thread and hope you all enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them.
All shots are taken with a Canon T2i. The close-ups/macros with a Canon 100mm macro and the wider angle shots are usually taken with a Sigma 10-20mm.

These first ones are from a shoot I did for a local LFS, Reef Coral in Baton Rouge, LA. Still haven't gone through all of the pics I took there, so I might have a few more to post later!

IMG_2754 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

Lani, this picture is amazing!!

Rob&Gab · Jan 22, 2014

GHill762 said:
Lani, this picture is amazing!!

+ 1 to what he said. that thing needs to be on a cover of something.

TheGrimmReefer · Jan 22, 2014

Kim these are all awesome! Subscribing to see them all!

Lovge · Jan 22, 2014

Totally agree. Great eye. Even though they are gorgeous pics i think some in B/W would be unreal

. Look forward to seeing more

Lalani · Jan 22, 2014

GHill762 said:
Lani, this picture is amazing!!

Rob&Gab said:
+ 1 to what he said. that thing needs to be on a cover of something.

Wow, thanks guys! That was one of my favs from the set for sure!

TheGrimmReefer said:
Kim these are all awesome! Subscribing to see them all!

Thank you, Adam

Lovge said:
Totally agree. Great eye. Even though they are gorgeous pics i think some in B/W would be unreal . Look forward to seeing more

Thanks! And hadn't thought of converting any to b&w, I'll have to try that!

Here are the last few that I really liked from this particular shoot. The fish were all shot using an external flash held at an angle to glass.

IMG_2946 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2968 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2975 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2983 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

IMG_2970 by Ugiesnugums, on Flickr

benny z · Jan 22, 2014

love it!

Lalani · Jan 22, 2014

Thanks benny

Davesgt · Jan 22, 2014

Awesome pics

TJ's Reef · Jan 22, 2014

Amazingly beautiful photography Kimberly, an inspiration to all of us amateur shutter-bugs here.

Cheers, Todd

zibba · Jan 23, 2014

Rob&Gab said:
+ 1 to what he said. that thing needs to be on a cover of something.

Couldn't agree more! This is one of the best reef shots I've seen in a long time. You're very talented.

KoleTang · Jan 23, 2014

Incredible pictures!

Any setting tips for newbish photographers like myself?

TriggerThis · Jan 23, 2014

Wow nice leopard wrasse!
What's the name of those green zoas?

Rob&Gab · Jan 23, 2014

TriggerThis said:
Wow nice leopard wrasse!
What's the name of those green zoas?

they look like a morph of dragon eyes.

revhtree · Jan 23, 2014

Wow you are super talented! Please post pictures regularly!

Lalani · Jan 23, 2014

Thanks ya'll so much!

zibba said:
Couldn't agree more! This is one of the best reef shots I've seen in a long time. You're very talented.

That's high praise coming from you, I love your photography!

KoleTang said:
Incredible pictures!

Any setting tips for newbish photographers like myself?

Thank you, and settings all depend on what type of shot you're trying to take!
For close-ups and macros you'll want to use a tripod if you don't have steady hands and its usually best to set the camera to Aperture Priority mode with an f-stop of around f/8 or f/11, this will give you more clarity. Always keep the lens pointed straight at the tank glass, because angles cause distortions.
Those same settings will work well for really clear FTS shots, but you may have to use a wider f-stop like f/6 or so if the shutter speed is too low and the fish are blurred. I often just shoot on P (program auto) mode for FTS.
Fish shots are probably the most difficult because they move around so darn much. High shutter speeds are necessary, but usually leave you with shallow DOF, so not much of the fish is in focus. That's where an off-camera flash comes in handy!

My best advice for newbie photogs is to read your camera manual (yeah yeah, most people complain about this one, lol) if you haven't already because if you know what your camera is capable of you can actually use its functions! Oh and practice practice practice! Its taken me years to get where I am.

I'm not the best writer, but I did put together an aquarium photography guide for my local reef club and I've been updating it occasionally:
LARC Aquarium Photography Guide