lonestar aquariums

any one ever dealt with this guy before?

I looked at the guys pictures, and questioned the lighting of the fish in the tanks, I then took it one or two images into my "paint" program, and enlarged.

Look closely at the lack of shade, the brilliance of colour of the fish. I'll let you decide http://lonestaraquariums.com/images/180_2.jpg

If one were to zoom in on the clown perhaps?

I'm not questioning his ability to develop a tank, or coral, or fish. I was just intrigued by the photographs and was impressed by his skill in lighting certain fish selectively.

I'm thinking this is probably a slight utilization of HDR, or High Dynamic Range... I agree it looks suspect but this could just be due to the process by which HDR photographs are generated... In short, three photographs are taken at x, x-y, and x+y appreture settings (e.g. a, a-1, a+1) and combined to make a single photograph which is more true to the human eye. A perfect example of what it eliminates is taking a photo indoors with an outdoor window in the frame, either the photo comes out too dark, or you have a white blinding light coming through the window. This usually works best with stationary images, buildings, people sitting or standing relatively still, etc... Fish would be harder but not impossible, DSLR have become almost instantaneous in taking sequential photographs, a big trend is combining the incredible depth of field of their lenses with recording full HD video. So HDR quality is definitely possible, and I believe some of his other photos proves he utilizes HDR, http://lonestaraquariums.com/Gallery/pages/DSC00966.htm being a prime example, the high quality contrast between highlighted areas and shadows is a really good example of HDR imagery. I'll agree the tank photo itself looks a little iffy, but it may just be and HDR image taken at a little too high an appreture, making the fish seem a suspiciously bright color, I looked at the image in photoshop and really can't find any blaring irregularities... hate to go all nerd on this but couldn't resist, i'm a bit of a photo buff



PS I've never been to that guy's store or seen these images until tonight...

Sorry I'm a Mac user, and we love an art question.
I also looked at DSC 01096, and the difference in the intensity of the colours of the 2 clowns just had me wondering. One is so pale in comparison to the other. I guess I need to play with my Canon DSLR more on my fish tank or perhaps it is the vicariance of the parentage.

looking at that photo its immediatly clear to me how invasive xenia is. that stuff is growing like wild in his tank, and its doing the same thing in mine, i think i may isolate it on a rock by itself on the sandbed so it dont spread and take over!

I have seen that aquarium before its in my dentist office. I have to say it does look different in person in a good way.

Win wrote:looking at that photo its immediatly clear to me how invasive xenia is. that stuff is growing like wild in his tank, and its doing the same thing in mine, i think i may isolate it on a rock by itself on the sandbed so it dont spread and take over!

John
You got that right, Zenia also releases a nasty chemical in the water also, especially when you go to pulling it out or pruning it back, almost lost a whole tank because of that stuff years ago, Thanks goodness for carbon, I will never have another piece in my tanks.

I know he sevices a few tanks in tyler
Bosier Dental Clinic
Jalapeno Tree in tyler
I am sure he has more
Dont be so quick to judge on the pictures....and the tanks. Everyone does things differently. Not that I took it that way just what i saw!
When i trim my xenia i take the rock out of the tank and put it in a tub. I do this with almost everything i frag unless the rock is to big to take out. when i place it back in the tank i make sure it is in the water column to make sure if it does let loose toxins they are dispersed quickly.

Hi!
I'm Jeff from Lone Star Aquariums.

Glad to see you guys have noticed the website! I really need to get some new photos!

I assure you its not photoshoped, just poor photography skills on my part!

You are absolutely right Win, Xenia can be pretty aggressive- we pull Xenia out of that tank on a regular basis to keep it groomed.

Shank- I really don't know that much about cameras! I'll try to read up and take some time to get some better shots.

Glad to hear that people are looking critically at aquariums they see. I'm constantly looking at aquariums to learn more about what I like, or what I would do differently.

As far as the lighting goes, that particular tank has 3 x 14000k 250w Metal Halides.

Hi Jeff, always nice to see new faces around the forums. I'd like you to know I wasn't criticizing your photos, in fact the opposite, they're well done and the tanks are definitely something to feel proud of nice work We just have too much time on our hands around here

Thanks for the welcome Shank!

I was just excited to see that someone was looking at the site! I think i'm going to invest in an SLR to take some better shots, got any recommendations?

I've shot on a 7D for the last two or three days, and I can tell you it's amazing for sure. You can feel and see the quality difference above the 30D, which is also a great camera. :-)

You pretty much can't go wrong with a nice Canon, I've even heard good things about the Rebel series. I'd definitely get the nicer Rebel though. Seeing the diff between the 7D and 30D I'd say there's even more difference between the 30D and the rebels.

I'll have to look into it- Currently I hav a Cannon SX10, a Cannon G9 and a Sony HDR-CX550

The G9 is for my diving photography- I took the the shot of the clown fish in the anemone (on my website) while diving in Australia for my honeymoon.

I think that's my favorite shot-

Jeff wrote:I'll have to look into it- Currently I hav a Cannon SX10, a Cannon G9 and a Sony HDR-CX550

The G9 is for my diving photography- I took the the shot of the clown fish in the anemone (on my website) while diving in Australia for my honeymoon.

I think that's my favorite shot-

You say you don't know about photography!?!?! I beg to differ haha!

Jeff on an online forum!!!!!!!???? Could it be Tell the wife and baby hi good to see ya on the site man.

Shank,

This is a video I took with my Sony from the dry side the other half is another divers video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyjEVa53aOE