Clam

MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
edited February 5, 2006 in Wildlife
My other hobby is reefkeeping. After many attempts at getting decent shots of fast fish and failing, I have settled on photographing the more sessile members of my reef tank. Hope you can all appreciate the beautiful colors of this clam which is about 6 inches across.

55023599-L.jpg
Mitch
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited February 4, 2006
    Beautiful colors in/on that clam Mitch thumb.gifthumb.gif Those irredescent blues are electric.

    I think the image would benefit from a bit of sharpening to really make some of those colorful edges crisper A couple of passes of USM @ (500, .2, 0) really bring those lines into sharp relief. This may be a bit much for your taste. ne_nau.gif

    As an ex-fresh water guy and saltwater admirer (I'm too lazy) I love those colors that usually can only be seen in a salt water aquarium or in tropical oceans.

    So what kind of fish in the tank?

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Phil U.Phil U. Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Ah those fish are tricky aren't they? It is a little soft but cool none the less.
    -Phil
    http://philu.smugmug.com
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Steve,
    Thanks for your interest.

    What kind of fish you ask? Blurry fish!!!rolleyes1.gif

    Seriously, I have a large yellow tang, clownfish, yellowtail blue damsel, and an orchid dottyback. Unfortunately, I also have a large (24") green starfish which immediately eats any new fish I try to put in the tank! These four fish have been in the tank for over 5 years and all know how to evade this predatory monster.

    I'll keep trying to get some decent fish photos. You would think with a $5,000 camera and a $1,400 lens, I would be able to take a picture of some fish in a tank!ne_nau.gif
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • RhuarcRhuarc Registered Users Posts: 1,464 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Wow. Great shot! I agree with everyone, those blues are amazing! It almost looks like you have a blacklight or something on it! I'm assuming that's just the natural aquarium lamp?
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  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Rhuarc wrote:
    Wow. Great shot! I agree with everyone, those blues are amazing! It almost looks like you have a blacklight or something on it! I'm assuming that's just the natural aquarium lamp?

    Interesting observation! As you may know, corals and clams need a broad spectrum of light to grow. This tank is lit by two types of lights. The main light is a 250w metal halide bulb which is 10,000K. The secondary lights are actinic power compact bulbs which do give the blues some "pop". Even with no lights on, this clam is electric blue. Its a beauty!
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • RohirrimRohirrim Registered Users Posts: 1,889 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Lovely colors Mitchell. Agree it could be a bit sharper.
    Steve
    My Photo gallery- rohirrim.smugmug.com
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  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited February 4, 2006
    rolleyes1.gif
    Mitchell wrote:
    Steve,
    Thanks for your interest.

    What kind of fish you ask? Blurry fish!!!rolleyes1.gif

    Seriously, I have a large yellow tang, clownfish, yellowtail blue damsel, and an orchid dottyback. Unfortunately, I also have a large (24") green starfish which immediately eats any new fish I try to put in the tank! These four fish have been in the tank for over 5 years and all know how to evade this predatory monster.

    I'll keep trying to get some decent fish photos. You would think with a $5,000 camera and a $1,400 lens, I would be able to take a picture of some fish in a tank!ne_nau.gif

    Mithc,
    Man you've got some colorful fish there iloveyou.gif I recently saw a shot somewhere of a yellow tang in a tank and it was awesome. I'll try to report back the EXIF, if I find it again rolleyes1.gif I fear that with the lighting you have 1/60 might be all you can get, even using ISO1600 :uhoh You need to tranqulize your fish....lol

    How's about a picture of the Killer Green Starfish? eek7.gif


    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • PoseidonPoseidon Registered Users Posts: 504 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Nice Clam there Mitchell! I keep a 90 gallon SPS reef myself, check out reefland and reefcentral for some tips on tank photography, on RC there is a user named GHO and he has an EXCELLENT tutorial on tank pictures. Remember you almost HAVE TO keep the sensor parallel to the plane of the glass or you will get distortion from the water refracting the light...
    Mike LaPorte
    Perfect Pix
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    OK, you guys inspired me to try again with the fish photos. These were the best I could do. I need to keep trying!

    Yellow tang
    55106941-L.jpg

    Yellow tailed blue damsel
    55106942-L.jpg

    Clownfish with orchid dottyback in the background
    55106944-L.jpg

    Bubble coral
    55106938-L.jpg
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • RhuarcRhuarc Registered Users Posts: 1,464 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2006
    Amazing looking picture of the Yellow Tang! Great shot!
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  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited February 5, 2006
    Mitch,

    Awwww man, you had me feeling sorry for you until I saw the tang pic....lol
    That one is very nice thumb.gifthumb.gif The damsel is OK too, just needs some lightening and sharpening and those scales on his side will come alive. The clown is going to be tougher with those whites. rolleyes1.gif Still, if it's a rainy day, you know where you can go to get some nice shots clap.gif And you can shoot in your PJs.....lol

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Phil U.Phil U. Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2006
    Mitchell wrote:
    OK, you guys inspired me to try again with the fish photos. These were the best I could do. I need to keep trying!

    Yellow tang
    55106941-S.jpg

    Excellent!
    -Phil
    http://philu.smugmug.com
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