So, how do you get rid of glare?

[MiddletonMark]

I'd also go with GH Dave's suggestion about taking the course - black/white or not. Pretty much all the adjustments, terminology, and methods are the same for operating any of these cameras ... and knowing this information is very worthy.

And even if you learn darkroom techniques ... in many senses it's similar to Photoshop [at least in concept, but some methods too] ... and the whole course will give you great ideas of framing, contrast, and other things to make ANY picture look great.

Heck, I've used my digicam's black/white mode a fair amount as there are times when it nicely emphasizes texture or other aspects that color would distract you from. Not so much on reef pics ... but now that I've thought about it - I gotta try it.

When I see GH Dave's pictures ... I can't help but see a lot of `photo 101' in them, he does an amazing job at making it seem simple, even though it's not. [I see photo 401, and photo 689 in them too!]

And Reefdude ... I'm the same MiddletonMark as RC, RS, and RF. Used to be `MangoMark' here [in the calendar & in August's photo contest here]. The great admins/mods here changed it for me, so Gumhead would know to hide when I come a-posting

[Reefdude5]

sounds like a good idea! I'll try it! And, a change of plans on the post on RC, sounds like ERic is suggesting 400wats, im stuck!

[MiddletonMark]

I'd go with 250w HQI's ... less power bill. I still think most of what you want would be served by `lesser' light ... just depends what you want. With lower watt Mh's [and even higher] you want to pay a lot of attention to reflectors, as he stated.

But that's off topic ... perhaps a thread here would be a good idea to help you choose. Nice folks in these parts!

[and BTW ... be happy Eric posted so much. He's a nice guy, but normally doesn't write all wordy like I do ]

[gumhead]

250 watt HQI's are as bright or brighter then 400 watters and cost less to run like Mark said...

[MiddletonMark]

Plus they often have good reflectors ... and that shouldn't be glossed over. Heck, I have the good folks here at The Reef Tank to thank for mine ... it was a good chunk of what I got from Premium Aquatics by winning the photo contest here in August !

Austin ... just start taking pics like mad. That's what I do ... and so far it's got me one free reflector so far ... and inclusion into TRT's amazing calendar with some pretty amazing company!

I don't think my average picture is as nice as an average Gumhead ... but take a class, shoot a lot of pics ... and even we can hit one `out of the park' now and then

[gumhead]

As far as Sanjay Joshi says a good reflector is everything!

Analyzing Reflectors Part I
Analyzing Reflectors Part II



Gee thanks for all the complements Mark but to tell the truth I hate most of my pictures I had my first 35mm camera when I was in 6th grade and I have never been with out a camera since then. That was about 26 years ago It has always been a part of my life. I think I see things differently through the lens then other people do when they look through a camera. Just something that comes with experence...

[Reefdude5]

SO, since we're already off topic kinda, , i agree with the 250s, but at Marinedepot.com the PFOs cost 145, while the HQIs cost 225, is it worth the difference? And since im doing a dyi job, would aluminum be a good enough reflector?

[ruhspolostar]

"sarcastic tone"

Austin....starting a thread and it ended up off topic.....never seen that before.....

-Adam

[Reefdude5]

It's been...... uh, evolving! I'm not saying im done with glare!

[ruhspolostar]

like that one thread you started about a poem and we ended up just screwin' around, but this is a topic I am actually interested in, the thing I have learned is that acrylic is highly reflective so to elliminiate some of the glare don't attack the tank straight on, shoot it at a slight angle

[Reefdude5]

What about glass?

[MiddletonMark]

I seem to find shooting directly through glass to `seem' to be best most of the time.

Though I will often turn off the room lights, close the curtains in the room depending. Thus it's hard to get glare.

--
And as for the lights ... it's a very imperfect statement, but could be said that 250w HQI's are nearly the light of 400w Mogul bulbs. So when comparing 250w Mogul to 250w HQI ... it's not comparing apples to apples. Yes, they consume the same amount of electricity to run ... but not the same output. Also different reflectors, with HQI being `closed end' reflectors which often are more ideal.

[gumhead]

ruhspolostar I believe what Austin meant by glare was over the exposed parts of his photos, not glare from the glass...

[Reefdude5]

That's true gumhead! I'm thinkin about getting photoshop, i hear you can highlight certain areas and adjust the contrast and brightness within that area, is that true. And Dave, the pic that you posted earlier, if I get more actintics, would it not appear so washed out?

And since im gettin so much advice on the lights, Are all HQI bulbs double ended? Are all the HQI ballasts for HQI double ended bulbs? Can HQI ballasts run HQI 6.5k bulbs, i heard they could only run 10k or 20k, and 6.5k has the most par. Where do i find the close-end reflectors, i couldn't find them anywhere? Are all HQI ballasts electronic? It sounds like if i don't want to do all this again, i should do it right, and get HQIs? Thanks so much, these are a ton of questions, if you only want to anwser some, feel free, sorry for not being as experienced as some of you guys!

[ruhspolostar]

oh... I meant glare from the glass/acrylic , and yes I belive you can shoot glass straight on, at least I have...., I guess i am just spoiled because my new HP measures the light around it and adjust accordingly plus it has a million different flash settings,....

-Adam