Today In The Fishroom~1/16/11 F0 P. managuense "Honduras"

[Aquamojo]

More of the F0 pair of P. managuense from Honduras.  I post a lot of pictures of these two...primarily because they are SO easy to get good photos.  I did a couple things differently in these photos.  As I stated in other posts...I put two flash units on top of the tank and one below...all diffused.  With the commander mode, Nikon lets you adjust the light output in one of two channels. 

Depending on how much gravel is on the bottom of the tank either more or less light is needed.  The bottom of this tank is completely bare.  I clean the bottom with an algae scraper as well...so the glass is clear. With this I have to continue to "tweak" the settings and placement of all of the flash units to get not only the right amount of light...but also the right amount WHERE I need it. Too much and I would have hot spots on the bottom...too little and shadows.

I can only speak for myself...but I think I got just the setting for both.  For the record...lights above were +75% and the flash unit below - 75% (meaning full power is cut by that amount)

Male chasing the female. The female heading over the breeding area.



Female reacts by flaring and showing her belly...ovipositor visible.



Perfect lighting above and below.  Note how the bottom is illuminated enough to see the detail  of the belly and pelvic fins...but not too much so that there is a glare.  For every photo you see, I probably shoot a dozen you don't.  Lots of them the exposure is right on, but the fins are either compressed or in a position that I just don't find appealing.  I like the way they furl in this picture.



A little too hot...and the photo is key stoning a bit...but damn...the fish just lit up.  I'm asked a lot if these are the fish's colors.  The answer is yes.  The difference goes back again to the amount of light that I throw on the tank, the high aperture, low ISO that captures the detail...but mostly when that flash hits those luminescent colors in the fins...they look like someone hit a light switch.



I try NOT to get standard pictures of the fish.  and lots of my best photos happen when I try something different.  These last two are an example.



And my favorite of this series...shot from below the tank line....the bottom flash being the key light in this photo.



Lots of managuense photos.  More to come.

[Mirko]

Just amazing. Incredible photography technique. 

[Noik]

Great pictures as always!
Stunning mananguense!

[Santa]

Man, amazing photos. You could win New Year competition for best photo
Fish are magnificent