Photographing On Location

I am into getting a "portrait" photo for the South Carolina fish book. So I quickly euthanize the fish, pull it's fins out and paint them with formalin. Then I place them back into the photo tank and use another piece of glass to hold the fish in place. While the camera is on the timer, I hold the background behind the tank with my right hand and the left strobe with my left hand to get rid of shadows. At various angles. Then I use Photoshop to clean everything up. Bottom line, by this time the fish is dead which I preserve and donate to a museum.

So - it ain't easy.

For photos do you have a particular agent you like to use to euthanize?
Do fins stay erect once you pose them?
Can you spread paired fins and position them?
Do you like a particular color for a background when using plates of glass?
Any tips to erecting the fins and not damaging them?

Sorry for the questions but it's time I start trying new things.

Very interesting methods
I had no idea that much labor was but into those pictures.

If it's warm enough, I set up on a bank with the 2 1/2 gallon slightly elevated in a bar and usually lay in the water. Keeps the bugs off. Otherwise, I just kinda spread it a little higher up the bar, again with stones in the background. This way I can get up under the fish, if I want to. I don't think anyone has ever taken a picture of me doing this. I've had a lot of local folks wonder whatntheheck I was doing.

And, I don't smash the fish, I'm looking for a more interpretative shot rather than one to ID. I use a stick to push them into place, or continue to pull back on their caudal fin until they learn I'm the boss Another trick I have is to hold my hand over the top, have the shot ready, and then move toward the fish. They'll flare their fins thataway.

Here's a series of a MO saddled darter I shot this summer:

 mo_saddled_05.jpg   50.1KB   4 downloads

 mo_saddled_06.jpg   47.16KB   1 downloads

 mo_saddled_07.jpg   37.04KB   1 downloads

Because all of the isometric "poses" I end up doing, it's actually more physical work than catching the danged things. But I get the shot I want. Really limits how many fish you can shoot before you just want to throw the camera though.

I picked up a mechanical pre-filter to a chemical water filter for backpacking a few weeks back. Now that its cooling off, I'll have to give that shot and see if that won't help polish the water. There's still too much dissolved sediment making things chalky.

Todd

For photos do you have a particular agent you like to use to euthanize?
Do fins stay erect once you pose them?
Can you spread paired fins and position them?
Do you like a particular color for a background when using plates of glass?
Any tips to erecting the fins and not damaging them?

Sorry for the questions but it's time I start trying new things.

I've used both clove oil and MS-222.

After they are "asleep", I place them on a piece of styrofoam, pull the fins out with fine forceps or the tip of an insect pin and then hold in place with the pin. I then "paint" formalin on the fins and in a few seconds they are stiff and I can put the fish into the chamber.

Paired fins are more difficult especially on the smaller fish and with my failing eyesight.

I had a piece of cardboard - white on one side, gray on the other. I shoot both sides and later determine which one will best to PhotoShop.

sometimes I poke a small hole in the fin, but with PhotoShop I can take care of that.

lol Todd, keeps you cool that way too
are you still using that nikon coolpix for those?