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New Camera and need advice

1249 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Kamel, 
F
2
Just got a Nikon D3100 and using a tripod with numerous f stops ISO set to 200 and setting fine. My pictures do not appear clear, yet the tank is clear. What do you think? They appear kind of yellow.

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Kamel
2
It's probably due to auto white balance setting. With the source light being blue, there may not be a real great way to get a good white balance. Unfortunately, that's something our mind figures out for us, but our cameras struggle to keep up with. I'd have a hard time post processing this without seeing the actual subject, but I will give you a sample of what some good post processing might do for your images. (note, the contrast probably not something you should do in-camera, but the white balance definitely, it has everything to do with what colors you see).



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Kamel
Here's a second take on the first one, since I figured it may be bluer than that based on the second picture.



Starting to look kinda crappy and washed out, losing color data. That's technically what you're doing when you limit the light emitting on something to a certain color spectrum. IMHO it's best to photograph in full spectrum lighting, and if the blue effect is that important add it in post processing. At least that way you have your full color data to work with.
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F
Thanks for that. I took several pictures adjusting the White balance using the internal camera settings with little results. so you are saying if the photo shop type processing I need to play with?
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Kamel
Technically, no. Try this on for size. Get a very white subject (like a piece of paper is fine, it doesn't have to be pure white just as white as possible and mostly white). set your white balance to manual, and turn on only your white aquarium lights. Set your white balance using these conditions, then turn the blue lights back on and take your pictures again. More than likely, it will be blue as you perceive it to be in real life.
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Kamel
I was simply stating for best photographic results, I recommend shooting with white lights on. You can add some blue coloration in post processing such as photoshop if it's important you have the blue look/feel. From a photograph data perspective though, the only thing limiting your spectrum of light does is lose color data in the other channels (green and red in the case of a blue light).
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F
OK I try that tomorrow and re-post if better
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Kamel
Hope it works out for you! Let me know if you need any help getting it to work.
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FishDaddy
Kamel gave good advice and tips. White Balance is difficult to get just right out of the camera and with most digital cameras, post-processing is necessary, especially for difficult lighting situations.

Shooting in RAW (Nikon calls it NEF) gives you the option to change the parameters, such as exposure and White Balance. The free Nikon ViewNX program does a decent job of editing RAW images and converting them to JPG so you could try that. You can download it from the Nikon site at http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Imaging-Software/NVNX/ViewNX.html

Tank and corals look nice.

Dick:)
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F
I manually adjusted the white balance and it looks better what do you all think?

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Kamel
Just noticed your response, sorry about that!

I think it's much improved, but does have some improvement to be had still. Nothing is really quite perfect when it comes to photography since it's more of an art than a science.

I'd say that's a great starter pic, with some good post processing you'll probably be able to get it right where you want it (take out some of that green cast and that will help a lot)
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