Creative project Fishtank photography

Creative photographer Mark Hunter shows how you can produce unusual images with a fishtank and some props

Using fishtanks for photography may sound strange, and could raise

eyebrows in the pet shop. But, teamed with a black background and a flashgun on either side, it’s a set-up that can yield some quirky shots.

With this technique, you can experiment with different objects for different effects: Dry, rough objects tend to drag more bubbles down with them, while wet objects tend to produce a cleaner, smoother dive.

By positioning two flashguns, one on either the side of the tank, the majority of the light will fall at 90 degrees to the camera lens and will therefore be unlikely to spill into the frame. Positioning your light close to the side of the tank – or even touching it – will help to control it, or you may want to use a flag (an object that blocks light) to stop light spilling from the flashgun to the camera.

With the scene arranged, set the camera to around 1/200 sec at f/10 and ISO 100 in Manual mode. Use the flashes manually too, set at 1/64th power. Switch the lens to manual focus and hold an object in the centre of the tank to set the focus point. With your focus distance locked in, drop your objects at this point, where your focus is sharpest. Drop, flash, click, reset and repeat until you have a winning image.

You can vary this technique by adding coloured gels on one or more of the lights; dropping multiple objects at a time; lighting the scene from below (if your fishtank has a glass bottom); or framing the shot in different ways to capture the splash. www.markahunter.com