Help with camera s5is

[jdawq88]

I am new to all the camera talk iso,exposure,Av,TV ect.. I'm more of the "just pick up the camera a take a picture" type of guy. I recently saw some crystal clear pics of a saltwater aquarium.Very bright and vivid taken with a canon s5is. I also own this camera. So i pick up my manual and do some reading. I dont quite understand how to get these clear pics of my aquarium. could please stir me in the right direction. I tried macro and supermacro and even in aquarium mode. :mad:

[tim11]

A preset scene mode is just another automatic mode. I'm afraid you can't get an excellent image in preset modes unless in very good light.
I'm afraid you will have to understand the light and exposure,and be familiar with the camera functions before you can get the best out of your equipment. There is no other way.
On the other hand, there are lots of free materials on the internet on photography basics which is what you need to get started. Also there are many inexpensive books available. All you need is the will to learn a new art.

[jdawq88]

WOW almost 4 hundred views and only 1 reply thanks forum. Im glad this forum is free. I guess i will try somewhere else.

[speaklightly]

Tim very nicely nailed the answer for you. If you want better photos, there are some rather basic photographic techniques that you need to learn to improve your photos.

Sarah Joyce

[Ray Schnoor]

First off, you're welcome.

Let me see if I am getting this right.

You saw some nice photos. You tried to take some similar photos. You are not happy with the results. You want us to tell us what you are doing wrong.

Is that what you are asking? How about a link to the crystal clear photo you liked. Saw it on a magazine cover? I can tell you right now that this person did not "just pick up the camera and take the picture". How about an example of the photos you took? Maybe some post processing can clean it up. Applying auto levels to your photo will most likely make it more bright, vivid and crystal clear.

Without some examples of what you are getting and what you want to get, it's kind of hard to give you any kind of useful advice.

Ray.