Need help with basics

[follow3]

Hey All,

I tried my first pics of my Zoas tonight and it turned out terrible.

Could someone go over some of the basics?

I am not talking about settings and such, but real basics. Like where do you place the camera... against the glass, back from the glass, in the water etc...
Do you used zoom or auto focus? Do you have the lights on and take pic w/o flash or lights off and use flash???

I know these seem strange, but I really have no idea where to start and I can tell there are more than a few GREAT photographers here.... so how about a basic, get us started tutorial?????

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Stixbaraca]

If you are using a point and shoot...

Keep the camera completely flush with the glass.

Never use the flash on your camera, but keep the tank lights on

Get the frag as close to the glass as possible while still allowing the camera to focus on it

Use the macro function if your camera has one

As far as zoom versus auto-focus...it may differ...my camera let's me zoom in the macro function...while still auto-focusing!

ALWAYS use a tripod!

 

[divecj5]

As Stix said, a lot really depends on the type of camera that you are using. If you are using a P&S, then the comments that Stix gave above are spot on....one of the most important things is having the lens parallel with the glass otherwise things will be blurry and terribly distorted. I usually turn the pumps and skimmer off to reduce bubbles and stuff floating around in the water.

If you are using a digital SLR, it will be a longer discussion

 

[follow3]

Thanks Guys,

I am going to try again tomorrow. I will hopefully post the results.

Steve

 

[revhtree]

Also turn off all your pumps.