Aquarium Lionfish

First, many apologies for taking so long to update this blog. I can't believe it has been two weeks.

This picture of the lionfish was taken at the Denver Aquarium, which is a very nice facility considering that it is landlocked.

Here's a few tips for taking pictures at aquariums:

1. Try not to use your flash-I didn't for this picture or any of the following (there will be more-I promise-they came out great). It will reflect off the glass. If your camera has an ASA adjustment, set it on 4-800 or higher. (or use fast film if you still use film) You will get reflection off the glass if you use flash and it will rattle the fish. You may not be allowed to use flash anyway at a lot of facilities. If you must use the flash, get as close to the glass as possible to minimize the reflection.
2. Get close to the glass anyway, because you will have a problem with reflection flash or no, and distortion from the glass is minimized the closer you get.
3. Steady your camera any way you can. A tripod is very difficult to use in a crowd. I used a monopod for these pictures. A monopod is a great tool to have. They are not to expensive either. I got mine for less than $30 and don't know how I lasted so long without one. You can use a tripod as a monopod if you keep the legs in)
   
4. Good luck on getting pictures of fast moving fish. The lionfish was a slow mover (they're extremely venomous so they don't have to move fast) so he was pretty easy to photograph. The sharks and other predators (except for the morays) were very difficult. Try to get them as they turn or head towards the glass. Then the relative movement is less.
   

More pictures to come!