Sep 2020 POTM: FTS under actinics

Mr_Knightley · Sep 7, 2020

I may enter this later this month, it would be a very interesting challenge for sure...

ShepherdReefer · Sep 9, 2020

maroun.c said:
Welcome to the Reef2Reef POTM Contest - Photo of the Month

Sponsored by Avast Marine!

This month's subject - FTS under actinics

Deadline to Enter: Sep 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm (EST)
Looking forward to a colorful POTM this month and expecting amazing picture from all to do your tanks justice! Remember, the photo has to have been taken by you, and the coral has to be in your aquarium, or the ocean. would be even better if you also post a picture under white lights so we compare the tanks under different lighting (pic under white lights will not be considered in the choice of the wining picture.

This is a photo contest after all and we're looking for the best photograph. Yes, you can use a post-editing product to better your pictures. In fact, we encourage it.
Few tips:
- experiment with orange filters and use the manual modes of your camera to deal with the blue lights.
- WB would be a critical factor to show the phosphrescence we see under blue light but yet not make things look fake.
-Shutter speed is also tricky with the lower light intensity of the blue lights, use ISO to help with exposure but watch out for noise.
-aperture is also critical due tot he limited lights which makes your DOF suffer, make sure to shoot from a bit far away to gain some DOF
-Fish colors won't show much under blue lights but pay attention to the timing of your shot to show fish out and in nice positions filling the tank. as shutter speed will be a bit on the slow side make sure to shoot when your fish ain't swimming too fast.

As always refer to the multiple photography articles or post any questions you might have on the photography forum for better support. Maybe also post a few pictures for suggestions and critique to improve your shots wile preparing for this months contest as well.

Prize: POTM Winner Banner, one year free Premium Membership and an Avast Marine Porthole courtesy of Avast Marine. Details below. (Note: Winners located outside the United States will be responsible for applicable shipping costs)

How To Enter:
Entering is easy, just a few simple guidelines to follow:

Enter ONE photo, taken by you of the subject for the month before the deadline

If you enter a second photo, it will be deleted so choose wisely before posting your entry

Multiple entries, off subject photos, or broken image links will be disqualified

Entries must be submitted before the deadline

Photo must be taken by you and in your tank or in the ocean

You must have an avatar uploaded when you enter

Prior winner (within the last 6 months) are welcome to enter, but not eligible for the prizes

In order to qualify to win the Avast Marine Porthole you must also like the Avast Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/avast.marine/

Winner Selection:
The mod team will select up to 15 finalists and a poll will be created and posted in the Reef Discussion Forum. The Grand Prize Winner will be determined by Reef2Reef member voting. To be eligible to vote, you must have been a member for 30 days and have 25 meaningful posts. Votes by members not meeting this criteria will be disregarded in the final count. In the case of a tie, the mod team will assist in choosing the winner. Rules, deadlines and terms are subject to change, without notice, at any time. The winner will be posted and tagged in the voting poll and will have 48 hours to claim the prize.

As this is a photography competition, and the goal is to recognize the highest quality picture. So take your time, do your post shot editing, and submit your best image.

The Prize:

#POTM #POTMWinners #MODS

This may be a dumb question but what does FTS mean? FTS under actinics

Sisterlimonpot · Sep 9, 2020

FTS= Full Tank Shot

ShepherdReefer · Sep 9, 2020

thanks...

rusgum · Sep 9, 2020

If the whole aquarium, then you can delete my previous fragment.

AZMSGT · Sep 10, 2020

I predict the winning image will be a tank full of coral... this contest excludes new tanks without actually saying it.. not a good or fair contest.

samnaz · Sep 10, 2020

There isn’t much room for artistic creativity in a FTS. It’s pretty limiting. IMO. Other than that I think it’s a fine subject for some of us, but I’ll have to sit this one out. My FTS would be bad even if shot by the most skilled photographer. As always looking forward to the submissions!

kschweer · Sep 10, 2020

Old picture but I always liked this one.

maroun.c · Sep 10, 2020

AZMSGT said:
I predict the winning image will be a tank full of coral... this contest excludes new tanks without actually saying it.. not a good or fair contest.

I'm sure each one will predict a different winning image and that is good food for thought. Not every one has the coral, fish or tank to match every POTM so good luck in Oct POTM I guess!

maroun.c · Sep 10, 2020

samnaz said:
There isn’t much room for artistic creativity in a FTS. It’s pretty limiting. IMO. Other than that I think it’s a fine subject for some of us, but I’ll have to sit this one out. My FTS would be bad even if shot by the most skilled photographer. As always looking forward to the submissions!

Are u sure ?
Angle of the shot (front, oblique, top down, or combination)
Timing of the shot to show the fish adding different dynamic element?
WB to show things as they look or maybe show/augment the phosphorescent to make for an artistically,even if not true, visually appealing photo ?

Just look at the submitted pics so far and ull see different takes on the topic, some boosting phosphorescent, some going for bringing the colors of the corals to how they really look like even if shot under blue, one shot with a combined front and top down angle... isn't this creative enough?

Technically this is also a challenging topic as ur shoting under lower light, and have to really manage aperture, shutter speed and iso to avoid have to shallow DOF or blurring ur fish...

I would encourage you to still submit even if only for participating.

maroun.c · Sep 10, 2020

I'm seeing a lot of critiques of the topic, unfortunately not every topic will "suit" everyone, yet this is starting to derail the thread so I'll ask all to refrain from further derailing this thread. You are always welcome to PM topics that u believe would make for a great POTM and well make sure to chose those if they match with the vision we have for the POTM.
Looking forward for more positive posts and submissions and less negativity on a fun competition.

Xanthurum · Sep 12, 2020

Wish some of my SPS were bigger but hey, we move at the pace we move at. Not sure why the Radions are casting the light at an angle in the pic but I like it.