Need Coral Photography Help

[clownfish chris]

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]

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

 

[finnerman]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[samparker]

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?

Check out GIMP. It's on most platforms, is free and very powerful
https://www.gimp.org/