Fish photography: I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a...

pigpen

I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a fish tank was used to partially submerge in a stream and held a camera. Has anyone tried this, or have any experience with this type of shot.

Thank you for indulging this odd question.

riverlass Loc: northern California

I haven't heard of this. Seems like it would be very awkward to do. I will be interested to see what others say because I was thinking about buying a waterproof camera and trying some underwater shots.
Let's see what everyone says.
(It's not an odd question.)

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

pigpen wrote:

I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a fish tank was used to partially submerge in a stream and held a camera. Has anyone tried this, or have any experience with this type of shot.

Thank you for indulging this odd question.

It sounds like a reversal of fish in a tank.
You're in the tank in fish land. Wouldn't it be easier to get a waterproof camera setup & get in amongst them. I guess the secret is to sneek up on the fish to get close enough to photograph.
Holding an empty fish tank under water is a little precarious. Instability may result in you having an underwater camera involuntarily.

tramsey Loc: Texas

What would be wrong with going to an aquarium and shooting some shots through the glass. I've done it and they came out pretty good.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I have a koi pond and have taken lots of pictures of my fish in the water. It is not sharp but it certainly is obviously shots of fish.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

pigpen wrote:

I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a fish tank was used to partially submerge in a stream and held a camera. Has anyone tried this, or have any experience with this type of shot.

Thank you for indulging this odd question.

You've probably seen the shot taken with the lens right at the waterline. You see both the water and the world outside of it.

modelmeemaw Loc: Central Florida

I have done well with the Olympus underwater tough series cameras. Easy to use and happy with results. I will say clear water helped and I was snorkeling.

spinecheek

underwater beauty

riverlass Loc: northern California

modelmeemaw wrote:

I have done well with the Olympus underwater tough series cameras. Easy to use and happy with results. I will say clear water helped and I was snorkeling.

WOW! This makes me want to buy one of these waterproof cameras. Getting eye contact with a (friendly) fish has got to be a thrill. Nice work.

modelmeemaw Loc: Central Florida

riverlass, it is a real addition.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

pigpen wrote:

I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a fish tank was used to partially submerge in a stream and held a camera. Has anyone tried this, or have any experience with this type of shot.

Thank you for indulging this odd question.

Boy this has been around since the invention of Photography, get a decent PLASTIC clear fish tank

murm Loc: Adelaide, Australia

Buy an underwater P&S,,, they work great.
Here's an old post of mine,,, with some pic's off a reef.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-103490-1.html

macv dave

This is the first & last picture I took of a fish.
I don't think the fish was happy with my intrusion.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

pigpen wrote:

I know you expected this to be a joke,..it's not. I have a customer that expressed an interest if some images of fish. I have seen a technique in the past where a fish tank was used to partially submerge in a stream and held a camera. Has anyone tried this, or have any experience with this type of shot.

Thank you for indulging this odd question.

I taught a biological photography class at the community college and included this topic. Send me a PM with a bit more info. as to species and location you intend to shoot, and size of the fish, and I can help you out with instructions.

riverlass Loc: northern California

macv dave wrote:

This is the first & last picture I took of a fish.
I don't think the fish was happy with my intrusion.

Ha! That's scary. I wouldn't have tried a second shot for love or money. That's was not a happy fish.

Digiphot2

Yes! It works, but like the other responders says is very cumbersome. My suggestion is the Lumix TZ-5 with the Panasonic underwater housing. Kinda spendy, but good to 135 ft. And is good for rainy or dusty windy days. Just don't wipe the lens if covered with dust! Plunge it, camera and all while still in the mount, into some water and gently wash it with a drop of dawn, then rinse with distilled water and dry it gently with a micro fiber lens cloth.

All this keeps it scratch free. And besides that, the TZ-5 has a Leica lens, and can produce 16 x 22 enlargements. Your friend would do best with this combination of camera and mount. DSLR's are very expensive and so are the U.W. mounts...AND! Don't get one of those cheap..Stick your hand and camera into a bag mounts! That is Photo-Suicide!

Ikelite wants a grand for their U.W. mounts...Don't go there! Panasonic's works perfectly with this little point and shoot.

If this is not to your friend's liking, have him/her bring the fish to an inside aquarium, and place a piece of plexiglass the length and depth of the tank to keep the fish in close proximity to the camera, then you can get the fish where you want them.

Send me an email and when I get home, I will send you some shots.