We've all seen some really great fish portraits, featuring fish of all kinds, looking straight into the camera, and showing off all the little details that make them so magnificent. While you might think taking a good fish portrait is something best left to the pros, think again! Anyone with patience, some basic photography knowledge, and an underwater camera can capture close up photos of fish. Here's how to do it.
First and Foremost, Know Your Subjects
Before heading out to take fish portraits, spend some time learning what kind of fish live at or visit a certain dive site, if you're not already aware of what to expect. As you learn about the fish, make sure you spend a little time finding out what behaviors they engage in. For instance, gobies make interesting subjects since they do lots of behaviors, and fish that like to sit still and wait for prey make outstanding subjects just because they are not fast moving and prefer to stay in one place. Knowing what kind of fish you'll be aiming for and understanding how they behave helps you set up your camera properly pre-dive.
What Makes a Great Fish Portrait?
Most of us have taken some decent photos of fish - usually from the side, and often showing good details that allow for easy species identification. While they're useful for keeping track of which species we've encountered, these "fish id" pictures are not portraits in the truest sense. Think of a time when you've photographed a human subject or even photographed a pet, and consider what makes the best of these photos stand out. Usually, the following applies:
- Your subject is facing the camera either head on or at an angle
- You're fairly close up to your subject. You notice the face, eyes, and other features before you really notice the background when you look at a portrait.
- The portrait fills the frame!
When taking portraits of fish, all the above applies. You're looking for a little action or some character to add even more interest to the shot.
As you work on composing your fish portraits, keep the rule of thirds in mind, and use the "portrait" setting on your camera, not the "landscape" or "macro" setting. Think about magazine cover type shots you've seen in the past, or great portraits you've seen online. There are plenty of good examples out there! Take lots of pictures from different angles, shoot up toward your subject instead of down on it. Shoot "blind" if you have to - just bring your camera to the ground and press the shutter. This lets you stay under your subject even if you can't lower your body any further. Use continuous focus mode so the camera can work quickly instead of waiting to lock focus. Incorporate negative space into your photos as you compose, since this highlights the fish you're photographing even more.
Finally, remember that chasing fish never works. Getting close can be a challenge but it can be rewarding, too. Move slowly and methodically, start taking photos from a distance, and keep your breathing steady and your bubbles small. Let the fish get used to you, and they'll reward you by relaxing so you can get the fish portraits you are aiming for.