Do you turn your pumps off to take pictures?

[zoltetov]

I know it's a stupid question, but i can't take a close-up picture of my tank to save my life. Is it because of the moving water? Thanks!

J

btw, i have a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707

[hawaiianwargod]

zoltetov,

No, I dont. I leave them running. I guess if you have micro bubbles problem then I think it is wise to do so. Some people here actually turn it off when they take pictures on top of their tank...I mean top view to make it easier to focus. Other method is using a piece of glass or accryllic submerged it and start snapping pics. hope this help your question.

[alexchern75]

I turn off all my pumps so the camera focuses better and on the subject, this makes it easier when cleaning up the picture, you dont get a bunch of tiny specs floating around on the image

[zoltetov]

Well, I tried turning off the pumps last night and almost had a flood on my hands. I think i might need to siphon some water out before trying again.

I noticed that I can medium range shots to focus, but i can't get those awesome macro shots to focus at all. I think part of that has to do with me not knowing how to use my camera. lol!

J

[VoidRaven]

I never used to, but I've found that by turning off the pumps you can and generally do stand a much better chance of getting cleaner shots of fish, inverts, coral....just about whatever. If you can I highly recommend it.

Just try not to cause a flood in the process.

[myakkareef]

Originally posted by zoltetov
Well, I tried turning off the pumps last night and almost had a flood on my hands. I think i might need to siphon some water out before trying again.

What happens when your power goes out???

Oh I like photoing both ways with pump on and off, tend to ge tbetter shots with the pump off, but I hate when my LPS and Anenomes lay flat when the pumps are off......

[alexchern75]

I guess you are not in to "waterfalls" pictures...

[zoltetov]

What happens when your power goes out???

HOLY $%%@!!!!!!!!!

Wow. Ok, complete brain fart moment on my part. Wow. LOL..what do I do when the power goes out?! lol..i guess I'll be starting a new thread: how do I fix my stupidity and keep my tank from overflowing?! Well, guess I'm a little embarassed now!

On a side note, one day I'll be able to take great macro-shots! If it kills me!

[CritterZ]

Zoltetov,

You might want to look at your return line.

List your plumbing and how it is set up, that might be a good start to see why this is happening. I know my returns siphons water down to whatever level it is at. It's either finding that problem or getting a bigger sump. Good luck.

[gho]

Yes, I highly recommend you kill circulation pumps when taking photos - will produce much cleaner results.

See this link under "Kill Circulation Pumps"
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/le...hniques_4.html

And, yes, if you're flooding when power goes out, you have bigger problems than worrying about getting macro shots

[North Bay 101]

I turn off the pump and the streams. The polyps come out to have their picture taken!

[Snail Guy]

Also consider your subject matter. When photographing snails, killing the pumps may stimulate activity. Though sometimes this happens after I restart the pumps. I like this picture I took of a scallop, particularly because the current added a little vitality to the subject.



Experiment until you get the results you desire.
Cheers, Bob

[chiapet]

zoltetov,
Outside of turning off the pumps....I always had the hardest time taking close up shots of my 46 gallon bow front. The curvature of the glass made things very interesting to say the least. Also, are you trying to take shots at "weird" angles? That could create some issues for you as well.

Another thought...If you have a lot of motion in your tank, try a faster shutter speed. There are a lot of threads out here on technique.