I can't get good pics.

[elvictre]

I try and try to take pics, but I hate how they come out. I can't capture what I see. I have a Canon SD550 7.1 MP on a tripod to get a steady shot and I can't get it done. Do you zoom in on the pics or crop them after you take them? Do you use macro mode (I can't see a difference)? Am I supposed to do something else? All input welcome.

Thanks

Vic

[pnut]

Depends on what your trying to shoot. I only use macro with the tripod and only when I am shooting something that is still or moving very slow. Even with the macro setting, I will zoom in as far as I can as long as it stays in focus. I always shoot with out flash so I can capture the colors and lighting from the tank. When using Macro settings, I believe the shot has to be 18 inches or less from the subject. I also make sure other lights in the room are out or even other rooms if light is entering the room. Some might find this extreme but I find it works for me and you don't get any ugly reflections. Hopefully this helps you a bit.

[elvictre]

Thanks Pnut. It seems like I get blurry pics more than anything else. The coloration is allways different. I also can never capture a pic of a fish, allways blur.

Vic

[chessmanmark]

I use the macro setting but don't zoom in usually. I take the picture and then crop what I want to show. Most of my pictures are taken without flash, however occasionally I will use flash to show colors that aren't represented well without the flash.

[phistio]

i can tell you my best images come from understanding my camera.

your camera has exceptional quality, but is aimed more for point and shoot users. while it has a macro setting, the focal length for the macro setting is 5cm. (my camera's macro focal range is 1 cm, and has a super-macro mode of 5mm.)

some other draw backs is that your camera lacks a manual mode, manual focus, and only has an f-stop range of 2.8-4.9...meaning your aperture has a slight operating range to try to override.

i'd try learning/experimenting with different settings with the white ballance override, and exposure compensation. these, with different ISO and shutter speeds might produce sharper images; and at 7.1 mp, you deserve sharper images.

click for details on your camera:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/images/canon_sd550.gif (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd550.asp)

[elvictre]

Thanks Phistio. I see your pics in the gallery and I get so jealous. I can't get that type of coloring to show. I also have a powershot G2. I haven't used it in a while, but I think there is more manual settings.

Vic

[phistio]

the G2 would be a much better camera for photographing your reef tank!

aperture range is better than quadruple of your 550 f 2.0-2.5/f 8

the macro modes are comparable, but now you have manual focus.

and it has a manual mode, so you can really set the camera up properly for correct exposure.

G2 specs (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_g2.asp)