How to Take Good Fish Pics

Hi Everybody I was surprised I didn't see this topic, though maybe I just missed it. In several of the threads there have been tips mentioned for taking good pictures of our wet pets. Let's put them all in one place! Tell us your most helpful or favorite picture taking tips. Yes, we're interested to know what models of equipment you are using, but tell us also why you chose it. What feature made you chose it for fish pics?

I'll start us off with some of what has been mentioned:

1) Turn off the camera flash
2) Use a tripod or other stabilizing aparatus - don't hand-hold the camera
3) Have a lot of patience
4) A quick shutter speed is helpful to me for those fast moving fish that never want to be still

One of the biggest mistakes. CLEAN THE GLASS FIRST!

Use a magnet cleaner/algae scrubber on the inside (cant see through the green algae) and clean off all the water spots on the outside.

This requires a little advance planning/tank cleaning before the picture taking but will really make the pictures better.

1 - Clean tank inside and out
2 - Turn off filter 1 hour before
3 - Turn off off camera flash
4 - Shoot at an angle thru glass
5 - Use Manual focus and focus on a spot wait for subject to enter
6 - All external lights in the room off and curtains drawn (shoot late at night after dark is best)
7 - Use a off camera flash from over head
8 - Use a Tripod
9 - Use diffused lights from sides of camera
10 - Polarized filter if your camera will handle it
11 - Macro lens or Macro setting on the camera
12 - Shoot at highest shutter speed above 1/90th of a sec and lowest ISO you can.
13 - Wear black or dark clothing

I could continue on for hours but most people do not have the equipment I have ...

EOS 40 D - I use Canons for their speed and ability to make the colors pop. Canon is known for nature, Sports, and Weddings where Nikon is know more for portraits and studio work so there are differences in the way they interpret and record colors.
Carbon fiber Tripod - Light and strong
50mm Macro - Lower cost and small I hope to be changing it out for an L lens soon.
EX580 Flash with off camera cord - Wide range of control
2 desk lamps with muslin covers - Because I have them around
Polarizing filter - Helps reduce glare and pops the colors more.

Here is a video how-to link that may help some:

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sounguru wrote: 13 - Wear black or dark clothing

I prefer to shoot in the nude. Or with just a ski mask on.

I had not really thought about this one, but I could see how lighter colors could reflect on the glass surface.

DMD123 wrote:

sounguru wrote: 13 - Wear black or dark clothing

I prefer to shoot in the nude. Or with just a ski mask on.

I had not really thought about this one, but I could see how lighter colors could reflect on the glass surface.

You know that the first time you do this you wont notice it but when you post the photo. We all will!!! Shes naked. No wait, I think thats a guy