Common Fish Photography Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Fish photography can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re photographing fish in aquariums, tanks, or in the wild, there are several mistakes that photographers commonly make. Fortunately, many of these issues are easy to fix with a few adjustments.

In this guide, we’ll walk through some common fish photography mistakes and how to avoid or correct them, helping you take better, sharper, and more vibrant fish photos.

1. Blurry Images Due to Motion

One of the most common issues in fish photography is motion blur. Fish move quickly, and if your camera settings aren’t right, the resulting image can be fuzzy or unclear.

How to Fix It:

• Use a Fast Shutter Speed: To freeze the motion of fast-moving fish, increase your shutter speed to at least 1/500s or faster. If you’re photographing particularly fast fish, like tuna or trout, you may need to go even higher (1/1000s or faster).

• Increase ISO: A fast shutter speed requires more light, so you’ll likely need to raise your ISO (around 800-1600 for dim conditions) to maintain proper exposure.

• Use Continuous Autofocus: Set your camera to continuous autofocus (AI-Servo for Canon or AF-C for Nikon) to track the fish’s movement and keep it in focus as it swims.

Tip:

• Shoot in Burst Mode: Taking several shots in quick succession increases your chances of getting a sharp image when the fish moves in and out of the frame.

2. Poor Lighting and Underexposed Photos

Fish are often in dimly lit environments, like aquariums or underwater, making lighting one of the biggest challenges in fish photography. Without proper lighting, your photos can appear dark, underexposed, or lacking in detail.

How to Fix It:

• Use a Larger Aperture: A wide aperture (low f-number, like f/2.8 or f/4) allows more light into the camera. This helps you get a brighter image without compromising on shutter speed.

• Increase ISO: In low-light situations, you may need to increase your ISO to 800, 1600, or higher. Just be cautious, as high ISO settings can introduce noise into your photos.

• Avoid Using Flash: Flash can create harsh reflections and disturb the fish. Instead, rely on natural or external lighting.

Tip:

• Position Near Natural Light: If you’re photographing fish in an aquarium, position it near a large window or bright light source. If you’re shooting outdoors, aim to shoot during the golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) when the light is soft and warm.

3. Unwanted Reflections on Glass

Reflections are one of the biggest problems when photographing fish in aquariums. The glass can reflect everything from your camera to surrounding lights, which distracts from the main subject.

How to Fix It:

• Press Your Lens Against the Glass: Getting as close to the glass as possible will minimize the reflection. Press your lens or camera against the glass to block any external light that causes reflections.

• Use a Polarizing Filter: A polarizer helps reduce glare and reflections from the glass, allowing you to see the fish clearly without distracting light spots.

• Shoot at an Angle: Avoid shooting straight on. Instead, position your camera at a slight angle to reduce the chances of unwanted reflections from your surroundings.

Tip:

• Cover the Room Lights: Turn off lights or cover them with cloth if they’re causing reflections, especially if your aquarium is near bright sources.

4. Out of Focus Fish

Fish are unpredictable and fast, making it hard to keep them in focus. Sometimes the camera may lock focus on the background or glass instead of the fish, resulting in blurry images.

How to Fix It:

• Use Single-Point Autofocus: Focus on a specific area of the fish, like its eye. Single-point autofocus will allow you to control the focus more precisely and ensure that the fish is sharp.

• Switch to Continuous Autofocus: If your fish is moving quickly, set your camera to continuous autofocus. This mode continuously tracks the subject, adjusting the focus as the fish swims.

• Focus on the Fish’s Eye: Eyes are the most important part of the fish to focus on. Sharp eyes will make the photo more engaging and create a better connection with the viewer.

Tip:

• Pre-focus: If the fish moves to a specific part of the aquarium, pre-focus on that area so you can quickly snap the shot when the fish swims there.

5. Distracting Backgrounds

A busy or cluttered background can distract from your subject, especially when photographing fish in aquariums, where plants, rocks, and other decorations can take attention away from the fish.

How to Fix It:

• Use a Shallow Depth of Field: Set your aperture to a wide setting (f/2.8 or f/4) to blur the background and make the fish stand out. This will isolate the subject and remove distractions.

• Choose a Simple Background: Position the fish against a cleaner background, such as a solid color or less cluttered part of the aquarium. Avoid shooting through busy sections with too many reflections or objects.

• Shoot at an Angle: Try shooting from different angles to capture the fish against a less distracting part of the tank. This can often help you avoid background clutter.

Tip:

• Move the Fish: If possible, gently encourage the fish to swim into a less cluttered part of the aquarium, or wait for it to move naturally into a better position.

6. Not Capturing the Fish’s Personality

Sometimes, fish can appear stiff or lifeless in photos, especially if you’re not capturing their movement or unique behavior.

How to Fix It:

• Capture Action Shots: Fish look most dynamic when they’re moving. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze their action or a slower shutter speed to create motion blur that conveys their speed.

• Wait for Interesting Behavior: Take time to observe the fish. Watch for interesting behaviors like feeding, playing with tankmates, or swimming through plants. These moments often lead to more engaging photos.

Tip:

• Shoot in Burst Mode: Capture multiple shots in quick succession to catch the fish at the perfect moment. With burst mode, you have a better chance of getting that dynamic, action-filled shot.

7. Overexposed or Underexposed Photos

When shooting in an aquarium, it’s easy to end up with overexposed or underexposed images due to uneven lighting or incorrect camera settings.

How to Fix It:

• Use Exposure Compensation: If your photos are too bright or dark, adjust the exposure compensation on your camera. Lower the exposure to reduce overexposure, or increase it for brighter images.

• Shoot in RAW: Shooting in RAW allows you to recover more details in post-processing. You can adjust the exposure and highlight/shadow areas more easily without losing quality.

• Check Histogram: Before you shoot, check your camera’s histogram to ensure you’re not clipping highlights or shadows. Aim for a balanced histogram to get the best exposure.

Tip:

• Meter for the Fish: If the fish is darker than the background, meter for the fish rather than the bright background to ensure proper exposure.

Conclusion

Fish photography can be tricky, but with these simple fixes, you can avoid common mistakes and capture stunning images. By adjusting your camera settings, focusing carefully, eliminating reflections, and getting creative with your compositions, you can create beautiful, dynamic photos of fish that capture their true beauty. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be photographing fish like a pro!