pictures of fish?

[surjit]

Hello!

I have been trying to take pictures of my fish. I have 2 aquariums. Every time I take a picture my pictures are turning out fuzzy. It is probably because the glass is distorting the pictures. Does any one know how to get around this?

Thanks,

Surjit

[SkipD]

What in the picture IS sharp? I suspect the automatic focus is picking the wrong thing to focus on, such as a reflection in the aquarium glass.

Another possibility is that you are just too close to the fish and/or you don't have the macro mode (the little flower button) turned on. Try taking pictures of something in our world (outside the aquarium) at the same distance that you are trying to use taking fish pictures.

[slejhamer]

Make sure you have plenty of light so that you can use a faster shutter. Search this forum for other aquarium tips as the topic has been raised before.

The macro focus tip mentioned above is good; probably necessary.

Also, buy a cheap rubber lens hood and attach it to the camera; this will let you press right up against the glass, minimize any glare on the glass and also help reduce camera shake. I used one at a public aquarium and was thus able to use my external flash without causing glare on the glass in front of the lens.

http://members.cox.net/mschlesinger/turtle.jpg

[oldlincoln]

Hello surjit,
You have gotten some excellent suggestions here and a very nice photo from slejhamer.
If the autofocus is interfering, you might try manual focusing using the hyperfocal distance method, discussed here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4670#23532
This article has a link to a fine explanation of the technique by member dfleming.
I have had good success with terrariums and aquariums by using a remote flash cord to position the flash above the tank, or at least high enough up so that the front of the flash can be placed against the glass, well outside of the picture area. If you have a Canon E-TTL capable flash, I can recommend the Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 Canon Catalog # 2391A001, it is good for about 2 feet. If you need more distance, Canon has hotshoe to cord (various lengths) to flash shoe pieces that can be purchased separately, but this approach is more expensive.
Good Luck!