Getting better, but.....

[Chemjab]

First a HUGE thank you to @maroun.c for all the articles and tips!
I'm using a Google Pixel 8 Pro and Ecotech Radion XR15 blue lights. UV, Violet, and Royal set to 100%, Blue at 50%, red white and warm white at 45%.
The pictures are getting better, but the focus is still not great. No lenses were used with the phone, just the white balance slider on the phone camera. The clove star shot is at the back and bottom of the tank, 26" away. The Goblins on Fire are the closest to the front. Any tips for further improvement?

These first 3 are the best shots I've taken in my tank. The focus is still not that sharp and each shot takes a noticeable amount of time. It is almost impossible to get pics of the fish with these settings on the camera.
Goblins on Fire zoa, Purple Monster zoa, JF Stargazer zoa.


The only thing that changed with these next pictures is the distance from the front of the tank. Each of these is progressively further back until the Clove Star which is all the way in the back of the tank. The focus on these is just horrible.
Hot Shots zoa, WWC AOI zoa, Firework Clove Star Polyp

 

[shakacuz]

practice makes progress!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Keep practicing! Some tips I would recommend


I would get an orange lens cap for your phone. Orphek makes a really good lens kit you can buy and it can greatly increase the quality of your photos!

A photo editing program can help with increasing the quality of your photos as well (I use the built-in IOS one, but Luminar, lightroom, and photoshop are others I highly recommend)

Try shooting photos from the top looking down into your tank, this will remove some of the glare from the glass and can get you some nice looking photos as well.

Below are some example photos I've taken using an Iphone 16 and a Orphek lens kit on it.

 

[FragginAwesome]

If you shoot perfectly straight you'll get much more sharp images. The glass really distorts images

 

[maroun.c]

If you shoot perfectly straight you'll get much more sharp images. The glass really distorts images

+1 believe it's more the distortion from shooting at oblique angle through the glass rather than a focusing issue.

 

[Chemjab]

+1 believe it's more the distortion from shooting at oblique angle through the glass rather than a focusing issue.

Thanks. You all are correct. I think I have some better shots. I'll post them soon.

 

[Chemjab]

So, I took your advice and got some straight on shot. I think they came out much better.
These guys just woke up. The Stargazers, Goblins on Fire, and Purple Monsters are all spreading onto the rocks! Yes, I see the hair algae in there. :(


The GB Nightmare is at a difficult angle. I need a lens to get it from the top down. The Hammer seems to be happy in this spot with some Hot Shots below.


The GSP is looking healthy, but not spreading yet. How long do they take to spread? Next up is a shot of Bozo's Birthday with some still sleeping Super Saiyans.