Looking for Feedback.

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

I got a D80 in January for my BDay and have been taking up photography as a second hobby. Tank shot by far are the hardes for me to take and be happy with... anyways I was at a friends house yesterday and took the below shots... Constructive Criticism and Advice is very much appreciated.

The Post Processing done besides the obvious border and signature was I adjusted the white balance and on the picture of the Anthias I stamped out a few bubbles.

Thanks in advance.
Brandon

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1.60 sec - F/16
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Focal Length: 58mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/20 sec - F/5.3
Exposure Comp.: +1.3 EV

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1.6 sec - F/16
Exposure Comp.: -1.3 EV

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/2 sec - F/16
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1.6 sec - F/16
Exposure Comp.: +1.3 EV

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1.6 sec - F/13
Exposure Comp.: +1.3 EV

Focal Length: 32mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/25 sec - F/4.2
Exposure Comp.: +1.3 EV

Focal Length: 135mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1.6 sec - F/13
Exposure Comp.: -1.3 EV

Focal Length: 38mm
Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/60 sec - F/4.5
Exposure Comp.: +1.3 EV

ryno212 · Jun 3, 2007

sweet pics... What settings are you using, I have the same camera? Also what lights are on that tank, this would help me out as to what your trying to get out of your pics.

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

All the pictures except the fish picture were on a try pod in manual mode. I have been using shutter priority handheld for the fish.

I don't like using the flash as I feel it washes out the colors. The tank itself had 14k hamilton bulbs with actnic supplements, so i had to adjust the whitebalance to take the blueness out of pics. If you are shooting in JPEG format I think the camera does the whitebalancing for you, but I haven't had favorable results that way.

I'm still learning also so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

Changing the metering to center weighted or spot metering seems to work better for me also...

Brandon

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

I'm also using the 18-135 kit lense.

ironman · Jun 3, 2007

WOW! awesome pics, whos tank is that! oh ya its mine

those really did turn out nicely. im very impressed

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

Yea I agree.

I guess I need a better lense either Macro or zoom. I was zoomed in on those as close as I could get but to only have the picture contain the subject Ironman was interested in I had to crop the photos.

If I stretched that back out to 800x600 it would defenitly not be good.

So how would you suggest going about that?

Brandon

edwing206 · Jun 3, 2007

Pics are noisy. What ISO where those taken at? Try dropping it.
Really nice tank though. Lots of color.

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

First off I just want to say I appreciate all the feed back.

The ISO was at 300 for all but the pics, but the ones I was doing by hand and I beilieve I had it set to 800.

I have attached the JPEG for the 4th image above before i adjusted the balance or cropped it. My ultimate goal is to become better with the camera so no post processing is needed.

Please keep the feed back coming. Brandon

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

Ok I'm also still learning PS. I went back and did some reading and figured out how to crop without having it resample the image and then to set the size to 800x600.

Given that attached is the image above Processed.

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

Well I wanted to be able to go back and beable to take pictures of the items suggestions were made on, so i took some pics of things in my tank ZOAs mainly since everyone seems to love them here.

It's obvious a couple of them have problems and I think the Orange Zoas turned out best.

If you could give some feedback on these and also mention the picture your talking about I would like to try and improve on these.

Thanks
Brandon

ct_vol · Jun 3, 2007

Great pics Brandon... Much improved from the night shots you posted on LR...

Bryan~ We have to do some trading whenever some of those micros grow out...

revhtree · Jun 3, 2007

Honestly Brandon I think your expecting too much out of a Nikon.....err.....I mean the lens you have.

The pics of the colonies look great zommed out, but your cropped pics are not sharp, and this is going to have to do with your lens and it's capabilities for what your trying to accomplish. IMHO.

I see some evidence of greatness in you young grasshopper! When you get there, show me how to get there as well! LOL!

revhtree · Jun 3, 2007

Oh can you shoot me the full size un-edited pic of the bam bam to my email?

bkv1997 · Jun 3, 2007

Thanks guys...

Yea I need a better lense, but I know the one I have is still capable of much more than I'm currently able to get out of it.

David the pics were emailed to your gmail....

Brandon

Nikon_Guy · Jun 6, 2007

Bolderdash I sayâ€¦Donâ€™t listen to Rev, he has Canonitis.

Not a terminal case, it could be fixed by a visit to his nearest Nikon dealer.

Seriously, Canon does have it over Nikon in that their image sensor delivers sharper images at higher ISO settings. Being as I seldom use an ISO over 200 it isnâ€™t an issue for me. However, I see that you were taking some shots at 800. You are going to get a fair amount of grain at that setting.

A couple of things you can do to improve your shots. First while not a great lens, the one you have certainly isnâ€™t horrid. I would however try to keep the zoom in the 40 to 80mm range when taking pictures. That lens will perform best in that range. Also keep in mind that at 60mm on a digital camera you are getting a field of view equal to 90mm lens on a 35 mm camera. The field of view for the human eye is equal to about a 50mm lens on a 35mm film camera.

Get more light on your subjects. This will allow you to use a lower ISO setting and improve on grain. In addition it will allow you to use a faster shutter speed thus freezing any movement that might be taking place. Another thought is to shut off all of your pumps and power heads while doing your tank photo-shoot. This will reduce the amount of particulate floating around and showing up in your shots as well as eliminating any movement you may be getting from the coral themselves.

And last, make sure the lens is always perpendicular with the aquarium glass. Even a slight deviation from this can cause refraction and give you a blurred image.

HTH

Bryce

revhtree · Jun 6, 2007

Sweet info Bryce! Your a huge asset here bro. How much do we owe you???

bkv1997 · Jun 7, 2007

Nikon_Guy said:
Bolderdash I sayâ€¦Donâ€™t listen to Rev, he has Canonitis. Not a terminal case, it could be fixed by a visit to his nearest Nikon dealer.

Seriously, Canon does have it over Nikon in that their image sensor delivers sharper images at higher ISO settings. Being as I seldom use an ISO over 200 it isnâ€™t an issue for me. However, I see that you were taking some shots at 800. You are going to get a fair amount of grain at that setting.

A couple of things you can do to improve your shots. First while not a great lens, the one you have certainly isnâ€™t horrid. I would however try to keep the zoom in the 40 to 80mm range when taking pictures. That lens will perform best in that range. Also keep in mind that at 60mm on a digital camera you are getting a field of view equal to 90mm lens on a 35 mm camera. The field of view for the human eye is equal to about a 50mm lens on a 35mm film camera.

Get more light on your subjects. This will allow you to use a lower ISO setting and improve on grain. In addition it will allow you to use a faster shutter speed thus freezing any movement that might be taking place. Another thought is to shut off all of your pumps and power heads while doing your tank photo-shoot. This will reduce the amount of particulate floating around and showing up in your shots as well as eliminating any movement you may be getting from the coral themselves.

And last, make sure the lens is always perpendicular with the aquarium glass. Even a slight deviation from this can cause refraction and give you a blurred image.

HTH

Bryce

Thanks for all the help...

I talked with the rev he also said my 80% cropping was to much that I should get a macro lense... FYI all my shots are through curved glass, I have a 92 gallon corner tank.

Thanks again Bryce. I'll be shooting some more this weekend.
Brandon

salt newbie01 · Jun 7, 2007

Pics are looking great Brandon! You are making big progress since you got that camera. Hey once you get it all figured out can you show me and Rev??

Cuddos again

bkv1997 · Jun 7, 2007

uhmmmm I can't go against the moderator..

You heard him... go to the Nikon store. I can't use that camera you guys have its to small for someone with manly hands.... maybe I can get my wife to help you though.

HEHE. JK thanks patrick... I'll help the best I can.