How do you guys manage to take such great photos?

[Leiopelma]

When I try to take photos of my axolotls, it won't focus through the tank water and comes out really blurry. Any tips?

 

[Bellabelloo]

My photo's are all pot luck.
I take lots and lots and maybe, if I am lucky I might get one ok . I have problems with reflections on the glass, so I have to remember to shoot at an angle. I generally try not to use a flash as this tends to reflect on glass, or even the skin of some of my caudates. I even struggle with pushing the button as I have a problem with my hands, this tends to cause camera shake, to add to my troubles. Having said that, I am getting to grips of using a tripod or a cushion/bean bag to help. Unfortunately by the time I have set up the tripod, fiddled with the settings on my little automatic camera....my little subject will have moved on.

 

[bunny27]

Haha! I do what Julia does, I take lots of photos!! My pictures aren't they great but my little axie always likes to swim like crazy when I'm around so I wait for five minutes until he realizes I don't have food and then I take the pictures, ha. My bigger axie is more calm so he's easier to take photos. My best advice is to just take a lot of pictures and then choose the best ones in the end. HA. Good luck!

Oh, also, try not to move a lot when you're by their tanks, or they will move even more, since they like to follow us for food and stuff. .

 

[Leiopelma]

cheers guys!! I'll keep trying, thanks for the tips!

 

[Kaysie]

Don't use auto-focus (if you have the option). And use the macro function.

And use lots and lots of light!

 

[MereB]

Don't use auto-focus (if you have the option). And use the macro function.

And use lots and lots of light!

Second this.
Avoid the flash unless you have the lens right up against the glass or all you will get is glare but you will likely need a super macro setting (0.5-20cm focal length) for that maneuver.
The auto focus will just focus on the glass or if your aim is slightly off it will focus on something behind or in front of your subject. If your camera will let you, use the manual focus and IF you can fiddle with the ISO. Adjusted correctly it will let you take good photos in less light without the flash, perfect for axies. I realize the very small compact cameras wont let you do this so I guess you are stuck with taking LOTS of photos and hoping you get a good one :happy:

The camera you use will make all the difference
I have a Fuji Finepics 7000 which is pretty good as far as compact digital cameras go but I'm going to upgrade to a new interchangeable lens camera this year. They have all the auto features of the compact camera (SLR's do not) but allows you all the customization features and flexibility of an SLR so are a great camera to move on to. They do not however have a manual viewfinder and rely solely on the LCD screen to compose your shots. But the difference in image quality is worth the loss of a viewfinder

 

[Ken Worthington]

Have you read this?

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/photographing.shtml