camera flash for betta

[jmtriro01]

is it okay to use your camera flash all the time in taking photos of your betta? will it eventually hurt their eyes if we constantly use them?

thank you!

[LMac54]

As a photographer, I discourage using flash at ALL. Especially with photographing fish. You will always get that awful glare from the tank glass.

I can imagine that it'll scare your fish too.

:) If you know how to using the settings on your camera, I suggest turning off the flash and use Macro mode. And if you REALLY know how to use your camera, use the smallest f-stop number for the shallowest depth of field (and to let in more light), an ISO of maybe 1000, and a fast shutter speed (enough to catch quick fish, but slow enough so that it doesn't mess with lighting).

</photo nerd>

[metalbetta]

I don't like doing it unless I have to. My camera doesn't capture motion well without flash, so it's pretty much hit and miss for me.
I use the zoom function w/ flash so I can be far enough from the tank to not be blinding the fish.

[metalbetta]

Also if you're going to use flash closer to the tank, you can angle your camera so the flash is out of the shot. Example from tonight (although the flash is seen in the corner, it's not in the way of the subject):


^^I'd recommend not doing that a whole lot. My fish don't react much to it, but others might.

of course without flash you can get a totally different effect. here's the same fish.
(with a slight blur because I shake)


Working on my digital photography skills, but this is what I've gotten from it so far.

[jmtriro01]

i see... i'll do ur suggestions. i was worried that Jake might get blind after taking lots of pics. but still, i wasnt able to get a good pic of him.

i can wait to get a new and larger tank for him.

[LMac54]

What might also help with lighting is just to shine extra lights on the tank. Turn on all the lights in the room. I suggest a desk lamp above the tank if you don't already have a hoodlight. Consistent light is better than a sudden flash of light that might freak out/blind your betta.

[jmtriro01]

i have a hood light, but my mollies are using it.

ill get another one once i have a larger and better tank.

[metalbetta]

A lamp can work just as well if you're in a photo-taking mood! lol

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I get glare from using flash (and it shows up ANY splashes you may have on the glass); I generally try to put the tank light on and take a photo without flash :).

[jmtriro01]

Originally Posted by metalbetta

A lamp can work just as well if you're in a photo-taking mood! lol

i was able to take a nice photo last night, but not as good as yours. however, i wasn't able to bring my camera so i cant upload it right now here in my office. maybe tomorrow. thanks for all the help!