Photographing tanks - help

[smurf4t]

Hi. I am new to this Forum and wanted to know about taking photos of fish tanks mounted on wooden cupboards. The tanks will be empty and once ready we will photo shop the fish in. My questions is about lighting and equipment. What do u all suggest. I have a canon 60d and a wide angle, 50mm and 70-200. Thanks

 

[cgipson1]

usually posting the same question in multiple threads is not a good idea... considered bad etiquette more or less!

 

[Patriot]

Why in the world would you go and take pictures of an empty fish tank and post process the fish in? Why not just take the pictures of the fish in the tank? It's not hard at all. If you want macro shots just set up a light or flash source above the tank to increase your light allowing you to increase details in the fish. If you want more information check out this site: Beginners Guide to Aquarium Photography(Work in Progress).

 

[smurf4t]

It for a fish shop that sells these custom tanks that they make. So filling all the tanks is not really an option as it will be multiple tanks and will be easier to move them empty.

 

[Patriot]

Photoshoping fish into an empty tank will most likely be possible if you put fish into a completely empty tank. This way you'll have a better way to cut out the background.

 

[tirediron]

Lighting any glass object is going to be a challenge; you'll need lots of lights and lots of modifiers. I would probably use either a large light tent or soft boxes firing through a Lastolite panel. Adding the fish in post may be a lot more difficult than it sounds especially if you're dealing with bow-front tanks and other unusual shapes.

 

[tirediron]

Closing duplicate thread. Please DO NOT cross/double-post.

 

[Village Idiot]

Shoot from the sides and not so that that light will reflect on the glass into the lens. A Cpol would probably be a good idea as well to cut down on polarized light reflections. Read light science and magic.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

+1 shoot from the sides.

This pic was shot from the sides and you don't see glass. Actually this flower was submerged in the water and the bottom of the stem out - it was flipped in post

 

[smurf4t]

Shoot from the sides and not so that that light will reflect on the glass into the lens. A Cpol would probably be a good idea as well to cut down on polarized light reflections. Read light science and magic.

Hi! thank you. I've ordered that book. It seems to be a constant recommendation. I will study it as soon as it arrives. I've got a good polarised lens as I anticipated it might reduce reflection. ( I thought at least) so I might be on the right route. Thank you.

 

[smurf4t]

+1 shoot from the sides.

This pic was shot from the sides and you don't see glass. Actually this flower was submerged in the water and the bottom of the stem out - it was flipped in post

Very clever. Is this one of yours? It's lovely. thanks for the tip. So no head on shots.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

+1 shoot from the sides.

This pic was shot from the sides and you don't see glass. Actually this flower was submerged in the water and the bottom of the stem out - it was flipped in post

+1 shoot from the sides.

This pic was shot from the sides and you don't see glass. Actually this flower was submerged in the water and the bottom of the stem out - it was flipped in post

Very clever. Is this one of yours? It's lovely. thanks for the tip. So no head on shots.

Yes sir, took this shot playing around after someone advised me "light the sides". Its a 10 gallon aquarium =)

 

[smurf4t]

very awesome - well done... thanks for the tip...