How do you photograph a guppy?

[Beling]

I've seen some fabulous photos here, but I can NOT get an even decent picture. My guppies never stop moving, and they're fast. And small.

 

[Fishyfreeonz]

I was just telling my wife this morning that I noticed when we first got our guppies and there was only a few of them they seem to dark around a lot more now that there's around 20 they seem pretty relaxed just cruising around. That may have nothing to do with the problem but I thought it was interesting myself. I'm new to keeping guppies so they seem pretty relaxed compared to my ADHD fish (zebra danios).

 

[BettaFishGirl]

I usually just take a ton of photos in a row and see if any of them are good. If your video quality is good, take a video of them and slowly go through the video. If you see any good frames that have the guppies in a good position, screenshot it and edit it to your needs. (Sorry of that's confusing, I don't explain things well!)

 

[GaryE]

Clean the glass. Focus from an angle so any flash doesn't reflect back. Aim for the eye when the fish is at the right angle.

Be patient.

 

[jaylach]

Clean the glass. Focus from an angle so any flash doesn't reflect back. Aim for the eye when the fish is at the right angle.

Be patient.

Also helps to have the room lights off with just the tank light on. This helps prevent reflections.

 

[Peartree]

I've seen some fabulous photos here, but I can NOT get an even decent picture. My guppies never stop moving, and they're fast. And small.

Try video then freeze and save the pics you like

 

[Colin_T]

How do you photograph a guppy?
I would suggest using a camera

Do a big water change and gravel clean the day before you take pictures.
Clean the filter too.
Clean the glass inside and out before taking pictures.

Use a Digital SLR camera if possible.
Set the camera to shutter priority and have the shutter speed on 1/200
Have the flash on.
Have ISO on 100 or 200 but no higher than 200.
Use manual focus.

Aim the camera at the fish's head and have it on a slight angle so the flash doesn't bounce back onto the lens.

Take lots of pictures, check them on your computer, delete them all except the good ones, and take more pictures.

 

[emeraldking]

Yes, not every camera seems to be suitable to take decent pictures of moving fish. That's a fact!
When I take pictures, I'm taking my time. Unfortunately, my fish won't hold still on command...

How do you photograph a guppy?
I would suggest using a camera

That's the first answer that crossed my mind when I read the title...

 

[jaylach]

While not really suited for a casual photo, if I were to really want a good shot, I'd do it at night with all lights except the tank off. Put my Canon Rebel on its tripod and plug in my remote shutter button. Not sure if I'd use the camera's night settings or automatic aperture settings. Probably a few shots both ways to see how they came out. Might even try my 75-300mm telephoto lens as it also seems to work pretty well as a macro lens but I don't know if my tripod would handle the camera and large lens as the tripod is pretty light weight. If I actually used the tripod much I'd get a 5 pound weight to hang between the legs to better stabilize.

 

[Beling]

Thanks, all. I like the movie-method the best, I think. For internet the pics don't have to be very high res. Unfortunately, my good camera doesn't seem to be working. Just the little "instant" one. I'm thinking of trapping the fish I want in a small enclosure, against the glass, just for a quick snap. But now the water is a bit too green.

 

[emeraldking]

I'm thinking of trapping the fish I want in a small enclosure, against the glass, just for a quick snap. But now the water is a bit too green.

From time to time, I also use smaller containers to put them in to make some decent photos. That way, they just can't hide or swim away all the time.