Introduction There are many dimensions to Koi photography of which taking the actual photograph is just one. As with all aspects of Koi keeping it is often when all the key factors combine successfully that the best results are achieved. The objective of this presentation is to identify the key parameters and offer some practical options to help you get the very best results.
The Role of Koi Images Photographic images play a vital role in many areas of the development of our hobby. In addition to offering newcomers a 'shop window' they offer everyone an educational opportunity to compare different Koi and to learn from the different images.
In addition, it is possible to review visually in magazines and books infinitely more koi than would be possible by direct observation at shows or at vendors premises. Koi images offer the ideal training opportunity for variety identification and to learn the basics of Koi appreciation. This information is the very foundation on which more detailed knowledge can be developed and refined.
In addition to images of Koi, images of Koi ponds and systems also offer a wealth of information which enthusiasts can tap into to develop their own pond and system ideas. The availability of quality images is thus vitally important not only from an information and educational perspective but also from an enjoyment aspects also.
The key purpose of this presentation focuses on Koi photography but we will also briefly discuss key aspects of Koi pond photography.
Technical Considerations There are two key aspects to this area these are the equipment (and not just cameras and lenses) and the phctographic techniques applied to successfully using the appropriate equipment.
Equipment
CAMERAS: Good quality equipment is of course important but just buying expensive high quality equipment does not guarantee that you will take good Koi photographs.
It is generally the case that the better quality and size of the negative, the better the image will be. Thus small format cameras such as 110 or instant Polaroids although having their niche uses will not provide you with images of consistent high quality. At the other end of the scale although large format cameras without doubt produce the best results their cumbersome nature does represent a limitation to some users. If you can't get used to them and are not comfortable with large format the quality of the results will reflect this mismatch. Better to be comfortable with 35mm than uncomfortable with large format. It is the case however that virtually all top Japanese Koi phctographers use large format camera like Mamiya, Bronica etc. and if you can cope with their bulk they do offer the best results. They are of course the most expensive cameras to buy and the film and processing is also the most expensive of the available options. As an anecdote to this perhaps the key reason for the Japanese preference for large format cameras is that
when they are photographing Koi not only are special photographic facilities provided but they also often have a team of helpers to prod the Koi into cooperation so all they have to concern themselves with is getting the shot! Most western photographers do not have these luxuries and cannot do everything as well as wrestle with a large format camera too.
The pragmatic solution is 35mm and there is no doubt that good quality 35mm is the ideal compromise. 35mm should however be regarded by serious exponents as the rninlinum standard for consistent high quality. With very few exceptions ALL NI PHOTOGRAPHS ARE 35MM. Camera brand is almost irrelevant as long as the quality is good.
LENSES: The specific make of lens is again almost irrelevant as long as it's compatible with your camera.. The quality of the lens however, fundamentally impacts on the quality of your image even more so than the camera so do make sure your lens is good quality.
The selection of lens formats currently available is mind boggling; it is best to keep it as simple as possible. 28mm - 75mmm zoom provides the ideal range of options that will allow you to cover most Koi photographic situations. Zooms are also very useful as they allow you to get close without having to physically get so close that you risk 'spooking your target' thus making your already tough job even tougher!
AUTOFOCUS: Autofocus is a very useful tool but you do need to fully understand their limitations. Even the most advanced system available will not cope with focussing on the convex back of a Kohaku! Red pigment on curved surfaces totally confuse autofocus systems. To avoid this, focus on the pupil of the eye, a reflective scale, a shimmi or the leading edge of the dorsal bone as your autofocus needs an optical contrast to get a fix on. This is a limitation not a problem and if you are aware of it you can effectively deal with it.
POWER WINDERS: Given the limited time frame of opportunity when the Koi is ideally located, you ideally need to get as many shots as possible off. Power winders really come into their own for this duty and, if you can justify the cost, power winders are well worth the investment. If you do plan 'rapid shooting' power winders are a prerequisite but it is also important that the rest of your equipment is compatible with your power winders capabilities.
FLASH GUNS: Compatibility is again vital and if you are planning to run off three frames a second then you need to make sure that your flash gun is up to the job. Always check manufacturer's recommendations and make sure that your flash is not only compatible with the rest of your equipment but also suitable for the duty you require it to perform. High performance rapid shoot capability flash guns are not cheap. If that's what you want, you need to be prepared to pay the price.
POWER: All the above photographic hardware consume prodigious quantities of power in the form of batteries. Despite the claims some ancillary equipment manufacturers, rechargeable batteries are fine and offer by far the cheapest source of power. Specialist power packs are also a good option especially if you are planning a long shoot as there is nothing more irritating than flat batteries. Whatever your selection always have overcapacity with lots of spares.
FILM: For best consistent results use top quality brand films - Kodak/Fuji/Agfa etc. Do not use often cheaper 'kown brand' films. They are not as good and the last thing you need when you have died in a ditch to get a great shot is the result to be poor simply because the film is not up to standard. Equipment selection, generally, and film selection and processing, in particular, are aspects you do have control over so it seems sensible to take advantage of this potential.
FILM SPEED: Generally, the slower the film speed the better the result; thus, for 35mm, MASA slide film is best with 1OOASA print film second and 2OOASA at a push but no faster If possible avoid fast films (above 2OOASA) as they are not designed for fine requirements and the results often appear grainy, soft or even out of focus.
SLIDES v PRINTS: It is the case that slides/transparencies give the best quality. Just how much better is a matter of judgment. Selection also depends on what you plan to use your photos for. It is the case that for printing purposes slides give better reproduction but they can be a real pain in the neck for viewing as they are very mconvenient and you have to set up equipment like projectors and screens to fully enjoy them. This is of course not the case with prints. Prints are generally more convenient and in my view more fun, more friendly and much less pretentious! 95% of photos induded in NI are off 35mm PRINTS
FILM PROCESSING: Having worked hard to get good photos, it is criminal to compromise all that effort by using cheap and nasty processors. Use quality labs NOT the booths!
Photographic Techniques
There are an infinitely varying number of photographic techniques and styles which can produce excellent results. In order to offer a usable guide, the following represents the technique applied by the author
Photographic Aesthetics
Golden Rules
The very best Koi photographers are those who keep Koi and take photos. Although being technically competent is OK to a degree, to get the best shots you have to love Koi and understand them. The essence of success is in understanding and appreciating their four dimensional form and being able to express it in a two dimensional photographic image.