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P3D RE: Aquarium Photography


  • From: "David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: P3D RE: Aquarium Photography
  • Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 20:21:50 -0600

In p3d 3524 Tom Deering writes:

> My wife likes to visit the local aquariums. I have been disappointed
> by every single photo I have ever attempted there.

I have had just the opposite luck and have been disappointed only 
rarely. Those times were my fault for trying to shoot too far beyond 
the flashes range.

> While a tripod is always a must for me, there is still not enough
> light to use a fast enough shutter speed to capture anything moving,
> not at least with the emulsions and apertures I use.  Depending on
> your sensitivity to film grain, you could try a fast film like 400 or
> push it faster, but it's not for me.

I highly recommend against this. There is just too much movement 
even if there aren't any fish. A flash is a necessity. And if you are 
using a flash there is no need for a tripod.

> I think the reason is that the water absorbs the light. I don't 
> recall exact meter readings now, but it was pretty dismal.

Yes the water does diffuse and reflect the light from a flash. I have 
found two ways around this.

First is to use an auto flash like the Vivitar 283. Set it on one of the 
auto settings (I prefer purple which translates to f11 at 100 ASA) 
and just shoot. It will read the light and shut down when it has 
enough. You must place the head directly against the glass so as 
not to get reflected light that would prematurely cut off the flash. You 
should also have your camera lens as close to the glass as 
possible. I have a couple of good shots from my Realist taken this 
way.

The second way is a cheat. Use an RBT X3 with TTL flash *{;-) 
Obvoiusly you can set up the flash anyway you like as the light is 
read off the film plane and you always end up with just the right 
amount. I have some unmouted shots taken this way from my recent 
trip to Disney World. I am very anxious to see how the look mounted.

Actually there are whole discussion groups and web pages 
dedicated to aquarium photography. Just search on <aquarium 
photography>.

There are also several people on this list that excel in underwater 
photography that should speak up.

That's all for now,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx