Photography: Photography at Aquariums: Beating Reflections & Low Light

Photography at Aquariums: Beating Reflections & Low Light

Aquariums are magical but tricky places for photographers. Between glass reflections, low light, and moving fish, getting that perfect shot can feel impossible. The good news? With a few simple techniques, you can capture stunning, clear, and vibrant photos — even without professional gear.

1. Turn Off Your Flash

Why: Flash bounces off the glass, causing harsh glare and scaring the fish.

Do Instead: Rely on natural or ambient aquarium lighting. Raise your ISO (but not too high to avoid grain) and use a slower shutter speed when possible.

2. Get Close to the Glass

Press Your Lens Against It: This eliminates most reflections and prevents light from leaking in.

Use a Lens Hood: A rubber lens hood lets you press firmly against the glass and still angle slightly for creative shots.

3. Skip (or Be Careful With) Polarizers

A CPL can help when you can’t get flush and you’re shooting at an angle, but:

It costs 1–2 stops of light (bad in dim tanks).

It’s less effective through thick glass/acrylic and can create banding on some laminated panels.

4. Beat the Reflections Without Gear

Block Stray Light: Use your hand, jacket, or even a dark piece of fabric to create a “shield” around the lens.

Shoot from Dark Corners: Step away from bright display lights or overhead fixtures.

5. Dial in Low‑Light Settings

ISO: Don’t be shy—1600–6400 is common on modern cameras.

Aperture: f/1.4–2.8 for light; stop down to f/4–5.6 if you need more depth of field.

Shutter speed: 1/250–1/500 for active fish; ~1/125 for slow movers; lower only if the subject is still and you’re braced.

RAW: Always, for color and noise control.

Stabilization: Leave it on; it won’t freeze fish, but it will steady your hands.

6. Focus Tricks

Use Single Point Autofocus: Prevents the camera from focusing on scratches or smudges on the glass.

Pre-focus: Track where a fish will swim and pre-focus there for sharper action shots.

7. Clean Your Glass Spot

Wipe your side of the glass before shooting. Avoid smudges or fingerprints interfering with autofocus or clarity.

8. Be Patient and Watch Behavior

Fish tend to swim in patterns. Wait for them to approach the glass or pause under good lighting before snapping the shot.

9. Editing Tips

Use software like Lightroom or Snapseed to:

Reduce noise (grain).

Boost contrast and sharpness.

Adjust white balance (aquarium lighting can skew colors).

Quick Gear Tip:

Even smartphones can nail aquarium shots. Use Night Mode or Pro Mode to control exposure and focus. Press the lens flat against the glass to avoid reflections.