Need Coral Photography Help

clownfish chris · Sep 15, 2017

I have a Nikon D5100 with a Nikkor 40mm Macro lens. I have tried several methods of setting the white balance with no success in getting good color rendition. I haven't found much further help with google other than general explanations on how to set the white balance. Can someone help?

Cherub · Sep 15, 2017

Nikon doesn't do great with white balance. There are filters you can get though. Seen a post on here recently about them

finnerman · Oct 4, 2017

clownfish chris said:
I have a Nikon D5100 with a Nikkor 40mm Macro lens. I have tried several methods of setting the white balance with no success in getting good color rendition. I haven't found much further help with google other than general explanations on how to set the white balance. Can someone help?

Photograph a piece of white paper on auto. You may have to turn off auto focus to get the shot. Be sure to fill the frame. Then perform a custom white balance as per the camera. This should get you close.

To get a better result you will likely need to gel the lens. You can order a Rosco sample pack which will allow you to experiment with different orange gels to see what works for your lights/camera combination. When using gels from this book I cut the gel in half, leaving one half in the book for reference. I like the look that the Light Straw filter gives for my set up. These gels can also make your cell phone photography in the tank better as well.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...-keywords=Rosco+Large+3x6"+Cinegel+Swatchbook

samparker · Oct 4, 2017

Can you adjust the white balance in post processing? Much easier that way as the camera won't have the preset for the color of your tank lights

clownfish chris · Oct 4, 2017

samparker said:
Can you adjust the white balance in post processing? Much easier that way as the camera won't have the preset for the color of your tank lights

I have looked in to this and it is probably the way to go. Any suggestions on a program that doesn't cost $120/year?

clownfish chris · Oct 4, 2017

finnerman said:
Photograph a piece of white paper on auto. You may have to turn off auto focus to get the shot. Be sure to fill the frame. Then perform a custom white balance as per the camera. This should get you close.

To get a better result you will likely need to gel the lens. You can order a Rosco sample pack which will allow you to experiment with different orange gels to see what works for your lights/camera combination. When using gels from this book I cut the gel in half, leaving one half in the book for reference. I like the look that the Light Straw filter gives for my set up. These gels can also make your cell phone photography in the tank better as well.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...-keywords=Rosco+Large+3x6"+Cinegel+Swatchbook

I have that book and agree light straw is a great choice. A friend gave it to me to play with last week. I am going to order a couple gels.