100gal Build: New Pics

[Myka]

Do you mind sharing what settings and photographing methods you're using on your camera to get photos like that? They're stunning!

[hillegom]

+1

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Myka

Do you mind sharing what settings and photographing methods you're using on your camera to get photos like that? They're stunning!

Originally Posted by hillegom

+1

Not at all

All taken with Nikon D300 and Sigma 150mm (225mm equiv) Macro
Aperture priority set to minimum (greatest DOF) F/22
Exposure time depending on the picture but around 2-10sec
ISO 200
Preset white balance
Hard sharpness
Noise reduction set on camera
No flash
tripod used
Backgrounds removed in photoshop CS4

[hillegom]

Nice equipment and you are a good photographer

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by hillegom

Nice equipment and you are a good photographer

Thanks. I also turn off all pumps to prevent movement during long exposures and I'll ocassionally move corals into better lighting for the picture then move them back.

[reef bound]

All beautiful. Nice job. I was interested in a night-time full tank/room shot to see about light pollution. We're just trying to decide what we're going to do for our next tank. We love the rimless idea and your tank is a great example. Thanks for the inspiration!

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by reef bound

All beautiful. Nice job. I was interested in a night-time full tank/room shot to see about light pollution. We're just trying to decide what we're going to do for our next tank. We love the rimless idea and your tank is a great example. Thanks for the inspiration!

To give an idea on light pollution I took two pictures at night, one with no light except the fish tank and the second with room lights on as well for comparison. Both pictures taken with the same settings from the same position. Room lights each have one 13w CF.

[sphelps]

A picture I took and edited on a very cold day.

[Myka]

A delayed, thanks!!!

How's your tank doing these days?

Originally Posted by sphelps

Not at all

All taken with Nikon D300 and Sigma 150mm (225mm equiv) Macro
Aperture priority set to minimum (greatest DOF) F/22
Exposure time depending on the picture but around 2-10sec
ISO 200
Preset white balance
Hard sharpness
Noise reduction set on camera
No flash
tripod used
Backgrounds removed in photoshop CS4

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I get it. I was wondering how you got the nice black backgrounds. =] I should get a tripod for my cam.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Myka

A delayed, thanks!!!

How's your tank doing these days?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I get it. I was wondering how you got the nice black backgrounds. =] I should get a tripod for my cam.

No problem. Yes I get the black backgrounds by removing the originals in photoshop and replacing them with plain black, it's a simple process if you have a defined line to go by. I believe long exposures are key to good macros so yes a tripod is a good tool to have.

Tank is pretty good, the reduced skimming is improving LPS and other coral health but of course it's also increasing algae and since I don't have any algae eating fish it's hard to keep under control. However some of the algae growth is probably connected to a lower than usual ALK and Ca levels since I've added a few clams and corals while also cutting back on water changes. I'm going to be setting a dosing system right away to keep levels up which should help.

Couple new pictures of new additions: