Taking pictures at an aquarium with Canon XSi
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I just got Canon XSi and I am going to Georgia Aquarium (World's largest fish tank!!!) in Atlanta next week.
since I always struggle taking nice shot in non-flash rule aquarium, I want some opinions how to take a great pictures inside an aquarium. What kind of setting should I use?
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My, you don't do "easy", Kira!
I suppose the absence of flash is the first blessing, as there'll now be no flare or hotspots from the flash reflecting from the tank walls.
Autofocus may struggle too, as it may wish to focus on the tank walls themselves...I'd suggest getting in closer, almost to "force" it past its close-focus distance...also thus maximising your camera's chances of going for a larger aperture if naging away in programme mode.
If your camera allows you a degree of control, I'd suggest setting the ISO as high as possible, bearing in mind that noise will increase the higher ISO you choose. A tripod or monopod will be of some use...and I'm not sure if your camera has any Image Stabilisation, but use that if it has.
I'm sure the heads here will have more creative suggestions than me..some of them may even be familiar with the camera.
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Thank you for your quick respond!
Yeah, I was worried about auto focus may not work because closest object always will be the tank walls! haha
My camera has image stabilizer so I will definitely use that.
What shutter speed suggest?
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I have been two times in the sea-world.
first time, I had a 24-105mm IS I took my pictures mainly with 1600. You can see here.
http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewto...1663#51663
There is plenty of information from me and other shuttertalkers about sea-world photography.
Second time it was a 85mm and I got better pictures, they were cleaner, and I used higher iso. You will have to deal with noisy pictures anyway, so the better exposed the less they are hurt. Correct exposure in LR introduce extra noise so it is better to have them well exposed from the beginning.
About shutter speed it depends on the fish, if they are fast you have to go 1/125sec or faster to get sharp pictures. If they are slow you can take your picture with 1/40 sec and still the picture can be sharp. It really depends on the situation. My advice is wait and take your picture in front of the window and try to shoot straight to the fish. If you take your pictures from a slanted view you will get distortion from the glass.
I don't know your way of taking pictures but I recommend to study your picture before taking it. Think how fast you need be, wait for your best position, and the fish position. Look at the light and watch the background. Using spot metering and MF is a good choice as well.
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Hi Kira: this thread shows some things that I did in the Atlanta Aquarium (its wonderful). Nothing special - no flash - just available light.
http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=4454
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Irma>
Thanks for your advice!! I loved your shark pictures. Those are kind that I want to take. I never taken any fishes and sharks with professional/high quality digital camera before other than regular compact digital camera which I always had difficult time capturing moving fishes. I am excited!
Toad>
Thanks for the link! So did you love the aquarium? I've been wanting to go there and I finally decided. Super excited about it!! 
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Sorry for the delay, we are on a time shift in the UK. 
Irma has hit just about everything. I also tried a couple of shots from the back of the room showing people (a bit silhouetted) watching the fish.
A Link to some from the day. I spent 4.1/2 hours there.
http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=7151
Lumix LX5.
Canon 350 D.+ 18-55 Kit lens + Tamron 70-300 macro. + Canon 50mm f1.8 + Manfrotto tripod, in bag.
(This post was last modified: Dec 28, 2010, 19:01 by canonkid.)
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NT73>
amazing pictures you took! I am taking this trip all by myself so I can spend as much time as I want there without worrying about other people. hehe
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Thanks Kira. Thats the way to go .. on your own.
Lumix LX5.
Canon 350 D.+ 18-55 Kit lens + Tamron 70-300 macro. + Canon 50mm f1.8 + Manfrotto tripod, in bag.
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hey,Toad.
i like tour pictures...Thanks for the link!
http://what-foods-contain-gluten.com/
(This post was last modified: Jun 22, 2012, 00:06 by annamartha.)
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