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Thread: Q: How to take a picture of a skittish fish?

  1. #1
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    Q: How to take a picture of a skittish fish?

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    Neolamprologus multifasciatus
    It is not a probably not problem with natural light. But for us who uses e-ttl flash, the evaluative burst will spook the fish back into hiding and the actual burst will capture this:


    And for the next 3 minutes or so, the fish will not come out of hiding or relax enough to show any natural behavior.
    *sigh*

    Anyway, took me a while to get this:


    It is the same with fast fish like Danio: I flash, it'll "siam" (i.e. turn/avoid). Argh!
    Any tips? Use the sun as light source? Uncle Choy, Benny?

    ck

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    Don't use the evaluative burst. With subjects like this, you can actually consider using a tripod, then pre focus on the spot. Do a few test show and determine the exposure with the correct flash output. After than, take a 3 minute brake and shoot when the fish is out. He won't be faster than you flash.

    Danios are a different story and uses a different technique.

    Cheers,
    I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?

  3. #3
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    Yup... i learnt that the hard way as well..
    Don't use ETTL for fishes like these. Just take a few pre-shots to determine exposure like benny said.. then just wait and shoot when more natural.

    For danio..i also don't use ETTL...but light everwhere..and shoot them more like a movable ambush predator...my camera is predator la..

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    ah! There is a solution to the madness!
    And, oh no! more controls to meddle with.

    ck

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    Don't forget to share the results with us! I really like your photos!

    Cheers,
    I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?

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    Actually, I like this...



    I am weird...
    Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/

    I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted! ), C.nurii, C.parva, C.pygmaea(Melted! ), C.tonkinensis(Melted! ), C.walkeri, C.wendtii 'Brown', C.wendtii 'Green', C.wendtii 'Green Gecko', C.wendtii 'Tropica' and Cryptocoryne x willisii

    Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...

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    another way is to do a metering lock. you aim at the place where you expect the fish to be and press *. then half press the shutter to maintain the exposure solution until the fish comes out again and pose properly, then release the shutter which will fire the flash at the previously metered power.
    why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
    hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica

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    I juat want to confirm a doubt I have.
    If we are on ST-E2 and the flash is on slave mode, we can't off the ETTL on the ST-E2 and set manual mode on the flash right?
    ~ Vincent ~ Fishes calm your mind...
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valice/





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    err.. why not?? i never use ETTL for any of my shots.. its always manual flash.

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    Hey! I like this solution too. But the lock will go off after a while won't it? so does that mean I have to half-depress the release (or whatever to keep the lock) for as long as the fish hides?

    Actually that session, I tried something else also. Just use more ambient light. It reduces the intensity of the flash and it is not so obvious when the flash goes off. At least the shelly tolerated it. That's how I got the second shot.

    ck

    Quote Originally Posted by hwchoy View Post
    another way is to do a metering lock. you aim at the place where you expect the fish to be and press *. then half press the shutter to maintain the exposure solution until the fish comes out again and pose properly, then release the shutter which will fire the flash at the previously metered power.

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    yes have to hold the shutter all the while. your second shot the eyes motion blur leh.
    why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
    hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica

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    Quote Originally Posted by ranmasatome View Post
    err.. why not?? i never use ETTL for any of my shots.. its always manual flash.
    ?? on a DSLR can off the ETTL on the ST-E2? Want to do this so that the flash will not fire off the pre-flash to gauge the amount of light to fire.
    ~ Vincent ~ Fishes calm your mind...
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valice/





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    in manual mode dun have pre-flash right?
    why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
    hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica

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    When in slave mode, the mode cannot be changed even after pressing the mode button. Or is my flash kuu-kuu...
    ~ Vincent ~ Fishes calm your mind...
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valice/





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    Yes, Choy. I know. It's not motion blur. Just not focused. Thanks for scrutinizing the pic so closely.

    ck

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    Tried it again. Cute little things they are.



    ck
    Last edited by CK Yeo; 31st May 2007 at 17:54. Reason: Edit image link

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    oooo very nice.
    why I don't do garden hybrids and aquarium strains: natural species is a history of Nature, while hybrids are just the whims of Man.
    hexazona · crumenatum · Galleria Botanica

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    Wow! Nice shot with all it's fins opened up! Pretty!!

    Cheers,
    I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?

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    Very very nice!
    Great exposure.
    ~ Vincent ~ Fishes calm your mind...
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/valice/





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    Thanks. Oh, I just realized that these things have tiny sharp teeth!!

    ck

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