Night photography Q...D90,10-17 Tokina & 2 x Z240 strobes

[roby jeff]

After several night dives with the above i've concluded that i need to be making some adjustments to my camera settings and shooting methods to bring my result consistency up to that which i'm achieving during the day.
I am aiming to shoot medium size fish and the odd turtle, ray , lobster, interesting coral,diving buddy, etc.
i am interested what changes others make when night diving using similar equipment .
*1 i am using the light from one of my strobes as my night light, so it is pionting straight at my subject when i snap the pic ...in order for me to see my subject and focus...should i be using a focus light so i can keep the stobes pointing straight forward & the light less direct.?

*2 or would i best develop a techique to lock the focus then angle the light strobe away?

*3 should i be using AFC ( continuous server mode ) instead of AF?

*4 would i be best to use 3D COLUR MATIX for my exposure metering instead of my usual centre weighted?

*5 am i best to go auto white balance intead of my ususal add a little red manual setting.?

*6 should I change the picture control back to standard from my usual Land Scape or Vivid settings?

*7 should i change the ISO from my usual 200 back to 100??

*8 should i forget the 10-17mm fish eye for night diving and move to the 60mm macro( i have just ordered one) ?

Thats a lot ..SHOULD I 's but would love to get the benefit of those more experienced & skilled than I
Thz Rob

p.s My avatar is my only reasonable quality night pic so far, couldn't really go wrong with a huge turtle sitting in front of me and a dive buddy also lighting him up .

 

[Mariozi]

Hi, night uwphoto is a lot more challenging than daylight, but perfectly doable and looks like you are close to the right way.

*1 i am using the light from one of my strobes as my night light, so it is pionting straight at my subject when i snap the pic ...in order for me to see my subject and focus...should i be using a focus light so i can keep the stobes pointing straight forward & the light less direct.?
R: I always used the focus light on night dives to free my strobes position.

*2 or would i best develop a techique to lock the focus then angle the light strobe away?
R: Too complicated, and by the time you achieve it your subject is gone.

*3 should i be using AFC ( continuous server mode ) instead of AF?
R: Every time I shoot fast moving subjects I change to AF-C and try to get it in the Depth of Field, remember for it to be more effective you will have to play around (preferably ahead of the click) with the AF sensors... which one you will use for the composition you want.

*4 would i be best to use 3D COLUR MATIX for my exposure metering instead of my usual centre weighted?
R: If you work with M mode this doesn't matter. These things used to be a good thing in the Film Era, now when I buy my camera it is set in Matrix and I have a BIG chance of selling it without ever changing it.

*5 am i best to go auto white balance intead of my ususal add a little red manual setting.?
R: Also little importance, whatever floats your boat in terms of color. I like to set it to the strobe temp. but since you are shooting a bit further down than what I do you are probably right.

*6 should I change the picture control back to standard from my usual Land Scape or Vivid settings?
R: Vivid looks fine.

*7 should i change the ISO from my usual 200 back to 100??
R: If it is a natural 100 might be OK, but if it is a "Lo1" you better stick with 200.

*8 should i forget the 10-17mm fish eye for night diving and move to the 60mm macro( i have just ordered one) ?
R: Both have it's place, like I like to say:"They are just different brushes, none better or worse."

Good Luck

 

[roby jeff]

thz very much Marcelo for taking the time to reply and your most usefull information. I am looking forward to my next night dive picture making session.
cheers
rob

 

[roby jeff]

Well i've invested in a neat focus light from inon to hopefully improve my night photography.
looks good and works ok out of the water
Will be giving it a crack while night diving petty soon...cant wait.
rob

 

[AussieByron]

How did you go with the setup Roby?

Cheers Mark