I. Single-lens Reflex Camera version
1. Remove all devices
2. Preventing something unwanted from reflecting on the aquarium tank surface
3. Shade the top of your aquarium tank
4. Use a tripod ・release
5. Camera setting
1. Remove all devices except lighting equipment
2. Background
3. Shade the top of your aquarium tank
4. Preventing something unwanted from reflecting on the aquarium tank surface
a. Wear black clothes
b. Step back from your aquarium tank
c. Use a selfie stick (tripod)
I. Single-lens Reflex Camera version
1. Remove all devices
Remove all devices except lighting equipment before shooting (Remove water from external filter). Don’t forget to clean inside and outside of your aquarium tank.
2. Preventing something unwanted from reflecting on the aquarium tank surface
In order to prevent unwanted images of something from reflecting on the glass surface of your aquarium, turn off indoor lighting and shoot with only the lighting of the aquarium tank. By closing curtains and shooting at night, reflections can be further reduced. And it is recommended to install Light Screen on the back of the aquarium tank to hide artifacts such as wallpapers. By illuminating the back of the aquarium tank with Light Screen, you can brightly and beautifully shoot the inside of your aquarium tank.
3. Shade the top of your aquarium tank
If light from lighting equipment directly enters the lens, the color of an aquascape fades. So you will need to shade the light source with a board. And if a board with white back is used, the front side of the aquarium tank can be shot brightly.
Comparison with and without light shielding
4. Use a tripod ・release
Place a camera on a horizontally set tripod right in front of your aquarium tank and adjust the height. By using a tripod and release, blur images can be mostly prevented.
5. Camera setting
Set your camera referring to the following data.
Shooting mode Aperture priority mode (A)
ISO sensitivity 800~1600
Aperture F5.6~8
Lens setting Autofocus
Lens type Standard Zoom Lens Shot at the focal length in the standard range (35mm)
White Balance Auto
Exposure For automatic exposure, try shooting a few times with exposure correction function and set the proper exposure.
Those settings are just one example. Ideal settings vary depending on types of light sources, brightness, camera models and lenses that you use when shooting. Find an ideal setting by doing trial shooting.
When shooting, keep the following points in mind.
Point 1 Make sure to take pictures from the front of an aquarium tank.
Try to align the center of the lens and the center of the aquarium tank.
Point 2 Don’t flash the light if the camera has a built-in stroboscope.
You can’t see inside the aquarium tank because of the light reflection on the glass surface of your aquarium tank.
Point 3 Adjust exposure and focus properly.
We cannot properly evaluate your work unless an image of your aquascape is decent.
II. Smartphone version
1. Remove all devices except lighting equipment
Remove all devices except lighting equipment before shooting (Remove water from external filter). Don’t forget to clean inside and outside of your aquarium tank.
2. Background
Install a colored board on the back of your aquarium tank in order to hide artifacts such as wallpapers. By setting the board diagonally, simple gradation can be made on the back of the aquarium.
Image taken with an iPhone
An A1 size board is the perfect size for a W60cm aquarium tank.
Colored boards can be found at home improvement stores. Pick a color that suits your aquascape.
3. Shade the top of your aquarium tank
If light from lighting equipment directly enters the lens, the color of an aquascape fades. So you will need to shade the light source with a board. And if a board with a white back is used, the front side of the aquarium tank can be shot brightly.
Comparison with and without light shielding
4. Preventing something unwanted from reflecting on the aquarium tank surface
In order to prevent unwanted images of something from reflecting on the glass surface of your aquarium, turn off indoor lighting and shoot with only the lighting of the aquarium tank. By closing curtains and shooting at night, reflections can be further reduced. But, smartphones and photographers are likely to reflect when shooting. So try the following tricks.
Images of light colored clothes and hands are easy to reflect on aquarium tanks. Therefore, wearing black clothes and balck gloves can help reduce chances of unwanted images to reflect on the aquarium tank surface. If a smartphone itself is in light color, put a balck cover on it.
b. Step back from your aquarium tank
When there is no black clothes or gloves available, try stepping back from your aquarium tank and shoot from slightly diagonally above. It can reduce chances of unwanted images to reflect on the aquarium tank. Look for a location where images of a photographer don’t reflect.
c. Use a selfie stick (tripod)
Stepping back from the aquarium tank while using a selfie stick can reduce chances of unwanted images reflecting on the aquarium tank. And if releasing the shutter from a distance with remote control while using the selfie stick as a tripod, reflections can be significantly reduced.
source: iaplc.com
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