'Tear Drop' effect in fish photography

[valice]

Do you guys ever have the situation with fishes with bulgy eyes showing off that "tear-drop" effect as a result of flash?

Hmmm... Was this "tear-drop" effect discussed before in AQ? I know it was in Stanley's forum.

Although diffusing will lessen the effect, but thinking deeper, it probably wouldn't be enough still.

Btw, this is the "tear-drop" effect I am referring to, for those who cannot visualise.

[hwchoy]

the only way to get rid of the tear drop if fill flash from the front, and it may not completely get rid of it.

[trident]

Vincent, I did notice that some photos has the "tear drop" effect, glad you guys can shed some light on it.
Regards

[CK Yeo]

Is it specific to certain fishes? or is it due to technique? I must admit I didn't notice it until you mention it...

ck

[valice]

Tetras and Apistogrammas don't have this issue.
So my guess is that the problem is only limited to fishes with bulging eyes.

[benny]

Not specific to certain species, but certain gobies are less prone to it, albeit with their own set of problems.

As choy has mentioned. When your primary source of light is from above, especially directly over the subject, this effect will be very pronounced. This is the result of light pasing though a convex lens (eyes).


If your light source is further front, it can be minimised, but fill flash will do a better job to reduce the effect.

Cheers,

[trident]

This picture is a good example.

[benny]

The effect can be controlled if you really find it a borther.

These are shot with a single overhead flash, pull closer towards you.







The first two was from Qian Hu and the above is from Biotope Aquarium.

These are examples with fill flash...





Cheers,

[trident]

Benny,
I am using single overhead flash, will try placing it closer to me next time.
BTW, that's a nice brichardi.

[CK Yeo]

To summarize:

i.e. The artifact is caused by light converging from a source above the eye, leading to a bright spot reflecting off the rims below the eye?

It is more technique driven, although the certain type of fishes (e.g. larger or bulging eyes) are more susceptible to it, but can be minimized through alternative placement of flash and/or using fill flash?

ck

[luenny]

CK,
I think you got it spot on.

Benny,
I like your cory. Darn! There are so many nice cory species around. Hmmm ... I wonder if I can trade some of my sterbai with other corys or not.

[trident]

I noticed it, but didn't realize that other people faced the same problem,
ck, I think you are correct, will have to try shooting with different flash placement, no second flash for fill in.

[StanChung]

As noted with the fishes with bulgy eyes, the point source of lighting[flash] causes this problem.

A larger piece diffuser will solve the problem. Meaning the flash must be away at least a few inches from the diffuser to rid of the teardrop. The tau foo fa tub[GFL[Gary Fong Lightsphere] I'm using rids of this problem at a cost of ~2 stops.