Supplemental Light For Fish Photography

[Aquafinatic]

Hey guys!

From time to time I remove a fish from its aquarium, then place it in a small container, so I can take a photograph. The container is either glass or plexiglass, and is basically a very small aquarium. For those of you who are adept at photography, I'd like to ask for your input regarding one facet of this operation.

When I do this, I use a container that is approximately 8" to 10" deep, (20cm to 25 cm). The footprint of the container is approximately 6" x 6", (15cm x 15cm).

I would like to try shining a bright light from ABOVE, down into the container, for photographic purposes. I'm considering using some type of "desk lamp", with a small shade around the bulb, to keep the light focused into a reasonably-small area. (But I'm open to suggestions.)

I'd like to know if any of you have done anything similar to this, and specifically, if there are recommendations regarding WHAT TYPE OF BULB would be best for this purpose.

*When I use this particular setup, I want to have my flash unit turned OFF.*

I'm using a Canon EOS Rebel. Thank you for your input and expertise. I appreciate it.
Cheers!
Aquafinatic

[MatsP]

A bright light will work. It is best if the light is "white", rather than a incandescent light.

I use an external flash (e.g. the Canon EX430 II or one of the third party models). Use a home-made reflector, like in this picture:

(You can buy an attachment to the flash that does the same thing, but it costs several dollars, and a bit of tape and piece of cardboard box is almost free - I like "almost free" whenever it's an option!)

--
Mats

[Aquafinatic]

Hi Mats!

Hmmm... very interesting there, and THANK YOU for that idea. I certainly did not think of using a camera flash unit.

But since it's a strobe-type light, how do you "trigger" it, to get the light at the moment you need it? Do you have an "extension cable" for that purpose? (I'm rather new to photography...)

Maybe I'm being a dunderhead here...

Aquafinatic

[MatsP]

I just have it fitted normally on the camera, but you can use an extension cord to make it light in a different direction/angle than you get from just mounting it on the hotshoe itself. I used to have an extension cable for my old camera, but Canon changed their system some years back, and it's not working on the digital models.

--
Mats

[Silurus]

You can also trigger the external flash remotely using either of the following methods:

(1) as a slave using your camera's built in flash as a trigger.

(2) using a wireless remote (transmitter attached to your camera hotshoe+receiver attached to flash).

I use the first method, attaching my flash to a Manfrotto 345 Table Top Tripod

[Aquafinatic]

THANK YOU for the ideas, guys! I'll try this/these out, at my first opportunity. (Which I hope will be very SOON.)

I'm looking forward to some improvement, in my fishy photos.

[amiidae]

Remote flash is the best option. I will recommend to DIY with a PL downlight (get a few for larger tank) if you shoot without a remote flash.

eg.

[Aquafinatic]

Thank you for the input! I did go and look at your photos. Whoa, baby! You have some VERY nice photos, there! Makes me want to set up another large tank in the living room. Hmmm... but when will it be enough???

[Jools]

You may be also interested in this:

http://joby.com/gorillapod/slr/

Jools

[Aquafinatic]

Hey Jools! Great idea!
What a clever gadget. I'm going to get one.
Have a great day.

[Hansen]

Hi Mats!

Hmmm... very interesting there, and THANK YOU for that idea. I certainly did not think of using a camera flash unit.

But since it's a strobe-type light, how do you "trigger" it, to get the light at the moment you need it? Do you have an "extension cable" for that purpose? (I'm rather new to photography...)

Maybe I'm being a dunderhead here...

Aquafinatic

You didn't specify what EOS Rebel model (digital or analog, of which there are several models Rebel XS etc.) But I believe all of them are metering TTL (through-the-lens) giving accurate metering even when bouncing the flash.

[MatsP]

Hi Mats!

Hmmm... very interesting there, and THANK YOU for that idea. I certainly did not think of using a camera flash unit.

But since it's a strobe-type light, how do you "trigger" it, to get the light at the moment you need it? Do you have an "extension cable" for that purpose? (I'm rather new to photography...)

Maybe I'm being a dunderhead here...

Aquafinatic

You didn't specify what EOS Rebel model (digital or analog, of which there are several models Rebel XS etc.) But I believe all of them are metering TTL (through-the-lens) giving accurate metering even when bouncing the flash.

All Canon flashes [and many third party ones] that are compatible with the camera in itself [1], it should support E/A-TTL that gives (within reason) good exposure no matter what angle or direction the flash is aimed in. Obviously, if the flash isn't strong enough to give enough light, the shot will be underexposed. But besides from that, it shouldn't really be a problem.

[1] Canon has made some generational changes, so some old flashes don't work with new cameras - I think all new flashes work with older cameras [sometimes with reduced capabilities].

--
Mats

[apistomaster]

If you are using a small photo tank you can also get pretty good results using a 5 inch clip on utility lamp fitted with a daylight compact screw in fluorescent.
That is how this poor man can get the occasional good photo using a 5 year old Olympus SP-320 Point and shoot camera. Cost? About US$10.00.

[Aquafinatic]

Hey Larry...

Funny you should mention it. I had a recent experience with one of those lights.

I needed to pull a beautiful display/planting of Najas Guadalupensis out by the roots the other day, because I was going to use that tank for a different purpose. The plant was so pretty that I hated to pull it out.

Not knowing what else to do on short notice, I grabbed one of those clip-on lamps, then screwed in a "natural daylight" compact florescent bulb. I clipped it to the top of the tank, and turned it on. Not bad! Just for good measure, I added a second one, then grabbed the camera.

Usually my [non-cooperative] fish won't sit still for a photo, but since I was only photographing a plant, I figured this would be a piece of cake. Would you believe that a resident of that tank -- a "Leopard Angelfish" -- swam directly in front of that plant, stopped in a perfect pose, then remained there motionless... while I took several photos? Too funny!!

I won't be winning any awards for those shots, but they were real decent; certainly the best that I've taken so far. And if anyone is interested in this method, I also stopped in at a local camera shop. When I explained this method to him, he showed a special, high-intensity INCANDESCENT bulb to me, and I bought one for $6.00. It's brighter than the compact florescent, and has a bit nicer color. It's only good for 50 hours of burning time, but that's still long enough to create plenty of photos, I would think.