Aquarium Visit

[graphite]

I went to the aquarium yesterday with my family. As I was running around with my kids I wasn't able to get that many decent shots of things, but I figured I would post 2 pictures that I did like. Let me know what you think of them. Also, I did do some PP however I wasn't able to get things the way I liked, any suggestions on PP these images would be well recieved as well.

[olrac]

Love the second one,

looks like the fish are going to get the little boy

[Matt. K]

The second photograph is a wonderful image. It kind of shows a sad relationship between man and the marine animals.

[jethro]

Second image has the sillouette fell. Well executed
Jethro

[graphite]

Thanks, With the second image the whole sillouette thing was what I was going for. I had to adjust the levels in order to lose a bit of detail that ended up showing through. If I had a tripod with me I would have taken a bunch of shots of that section of the aquarium. anyone have any suggestions to shooting a decent sillouette in low light conditions?

[Matt. K]

You got it right the first time.

[sirhc55]

Doing my usual - I love the first shot for the reflection, my only suggestion would be to crop out the blue wall (tight). I know it would cut through your lovely wife but it would reinforce the imaging. Shot 2 is also fantastic

[graphite]

MattK, Thanks for saying I got it right, the problem is, even though I know it turned out alright, I still think if I had known more I would have been able to make the shot turn out better. Although I do know that it is one of those things that the more shots I take the better I become.

sirhc55, I love the first one, because of the reflection as well. I thought it turned out nice, in that even though it is a profile shot, you can still see their faces clearly and where they are looking. As for the blue wall, I did want to do something with that. I already got rid of a bunch of distracting reflections , but that wall, with the highlight really bugged me. I may crop it and post a revised image tomorrow.

[Slider]

Great shots and I have to agree the second one is the pick. Brilliant.

[birddog114]

Shot # 2 is perfect.

[Alex]

Excellent shots. I love the 2nd one.

Alex

[Ordinary K]

anyone have any suggestions to shooting a decent sillouette in low light conditions?

Apologies if I'm stating the bleeding obvious:

(Assuming you're using a zoom lens, and have a little extra reach...)

1 Zoom in so the light part of the final image fills the viewfinder and half-press the shutter release to get a meter reading.
2 Press and hold the AE-L/AF-L button to lock the exposure
3 Zoom out and recompose, (re)check focus
4 Take the shot

Depending on how (D50: if you can?) you've configured the AE-L/AF-L button you may need to use manual focus to get your subject in focus. Basically you're using the button to lock the autoexposure, but not the focus.

Basically this prevents the subject (dark part) of the final image affecting the meter reading - ie you're *less* likely to get detail in the silhouette.
Most of the time if you're considering a silhouette this method works reasonably well, with practice you'll learn when / how to tweak it.

You've already worked out that a tripod might've helped.
Not always necessary if the light area is bright enough.

The second shot really stands out - brings human interest to an already good shot, well done.
Maybe clone out the two half-fish just left of top-centre?
Maybe pull some cyan out of the overall colour balance?
Those're just thoughts - the shot's a keeper as it stands.

cheers

Keith
(edit: spelling)

[Aussie Dave]

1 Zoom in so the light part of the final image fills the viewfinder and half-press the shutter release to get a meter reading.

OR, try using "spot-metering OR Centre-Weighted metering" if you cannot do the above...

As the background (water & fish) are much brighter than the people, exposing for the background in this scene will produce a silhoutte of the people (as they will be quite underexposed).

How dark the silhoutte comes out will be affected by the difference in brightness between the background and the people, as well as any other ambient light falling on the people.

However, your image looks to have come out nicely. I also like the reflection in the 1st image.

Great stuff....

[graphite]

Thanks for the tips. With the D50 I think (could be wrong, but it sticks out in my mind as one of the differences between the D50 and 70S) it is unable to lock exposure using the AE-L/AF-L button. At the time I thought "considering I have no idea what it means, chances are I'll never use the feature." Oh well. So I think I need to renew my memory on how to change my metering. Having read the suggestions, I recall learning how to change the metering mode, but have since forgotten. shame on me.

I think the metering change is the way I have to go seeing as I have a distinct lack of exposure locking. I may try some sillouette shots over the next little while, and see if I am getting it.

Thanks for the tips and comments on the images.

[beetleboy]

I could be wrong, but if the button says AE-L; doesn't that mean Auto Exposure Lock? Hence it is on the D50?

Just guessing!

Liam =]

[mudder]

These are both great shots for different purposes and intents, you've shown some good creativity and seeing beyond the obvious... The first shot will be a good memory for you and yours, and the second shot is bloody great!

I'd just go with spot meter on a bright spot of a fish for simplicity (I need somethgin simple ) but it would be easy to sillohette(sp?) the audience as they'd be easy to select in PP and raise the black point on just the people via levels, if you're into PP that is...

That second shot's a pearler!

[Finch]

Yeah, I also like no. 2 heaps. Reminds me very much of the mood that a recent winner of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year captured. He captured a shot of a boy watching a gorilla through glass at a zoo. Your pic makes me want to look in many places at once, tells a story and really works well.

Cheers

Michael

[Manta]

Excellent results Graphite - I can't see anything wrong witht he second one, though you've probably picked up some nice tips here to streamline the process next time.

As for the first, now that Chris has pointed it out, that blue wall is really bugging me! I don't think you'd lose too much of the impact if you lost the wall - the benefits would outweigh the negative effects of the crop.

I've got my D70 set up now for using the AE/AF L button for focussing only, leaving me free to wander around the compostion and meter wherever I like for exposure. When I hit the spot, I just half-press the shutter to lock the exposure then recompose, knowing that I'm already focussed on my chosen subject area.

[graphite]

Wow, Thanks for all the great comments. What I really need to do, is go to a mini meet and have someone show me how to use the AE-L/AF-L button properly.


here is a cropped version of the first picture. Is this better than the wider shot? or would you guys have cropped it differently?

[Manta]

Much better Graphite but I'd have just cropped the left, leaving Mum and Son's hands in the shot.

[blacknstormy]

Graphite - just came across your shots - I'm like everyone else, and adore the second shot - but also really like the first shot - I think I'd crop half way through your wife's head though (sorry) - but just a personal opinion
Rel

[PALL]

first one a good family shot,but i like second one.wow big equarium,

[Alpha_7]

Nathan - Great to see you posting some new material (I know your been very busy) I really like them both, but I do think the new crop is more dramatic (less distractions). Look forward to more shots (we need to get out and do some shooting together (somehow)).