Here is my 10 gal. aquarium, in a photo I took this morning:
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1j60z/Godb ... al_120.jpg" border="0" />
As you can see, I am of the old school and still like planted aquariums mostly with plants. This aquarium has 36 watts of light, on for 12 hours a day. I never fertilize it, but I do put in one cap full of Excel twice a week. Every three or four weeks I replace about 4 gallons of water. It has a small filter in the back.
For a larger photo of the tank,
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1j60z/Godbey_10_gal.jpg
One thing I have never learned is how to take photos of tanks without having reflections on the back glass. Can any of you photography experts help me?
John's 10 gal
John's 10 gal
John Godbey
Springfield, VA
Springfield, VA
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marydotson
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Very natural looking aquarium -- looking nice John!
As for your photography question, I think reflections are inevitable when you have a dark background on the back of the tank. You're, in effect, creating a mirror back there. Honestly, I think most folks pull the photo into Photoshop and take it out. The alternative, it playing with the positioning of the overhead lighting, so that the background is much darker than the rest of the tank. Depending on the aquascape, this may or may not be practical. Of course, if you remove the background, and and instead setup a dark piece of poster board on the wall behind the tank, that might produce the desired effect. In all honesty, I don't mind reflective backgrounds if they're reflecting the plants in the tank, as it can make the tank look deeper than it is. I have more problems making sure that my face isn't front and center reflected on the front glass in my photographs.
As for your photography question, I think reflections are inevitable when you have a dark background on the back of the tank. You're, in effect, creating a mirror back there. Honestly, I think most folks pull the photo into Photoshop and take it out. The alternative, it playing with the positioning of the overhead lighting, so that the background is much darker than the rest of the tank. Depending on the aquascape, this may or may not be practical. Of course, if you remove the background, and and instead setup a dark piece of poster board on the wall behind the tank, that might produce the desired effect. In all honesty, I don't mind reflective backgrounds if they're reflecting the plants in the tank, as it can make the tank look deeper than it is. I have more problems making sure that my face isn't front and center reflected on the front glass in my photographs.
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Ben Belton
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marydotson
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- Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:43 pm
- Location: United States
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Here are a couple of tips...
A polarizing filter is designed to remove reflective light, though depending on the filter, it may not reduce all of it. However, I think you might be surprised at how much it does improve the photographic situation.
The other thing is to look at the direction of your light. Reflection comes from light bouncing back at the camera. Clever deflection can greatly reduce this.
A polarizing filter is designed to remove reflective light, though depending on the filter, it may not reduce all of it. However, I think you might be surprised at how much it does improve the photographic situation.
The other thing is to look at the direction of your light. Reflection comes from light bouncing back at the camera. Clever deflection can greatly reduce this.
Thanks for the tips on getting rid of the reflections. I've tried to use Photoshop, without much luck; there are too many uneven edges to work around--at least too many for someone with my limited patience.
Polarizing filters I have not tried. I might give that a try and see what i can do.
Polarizing filters I have not tried. I might give that a try and see what i can do.
John Godbey
Springfield, VA
Springfield, VA
