trumpetfish photo

This is my second post. I like getting such expert advice on my first entry, so I thought I would try again. Comments are appreciated. It was taken at the Wakatobi resort in Indonesia. The camera was a Nikon D200 with a Sigma Subal 18-55 lens in a Subal housing, with an Ikelite DS125 strobe was used.

Photo from profile are rarely great with trumpetfish.

The light seems to be ok, but I don't like the background (confusing the fish).

Is it croped?

it's a good photo to me, but nothing really special in it

try to shoot from ahead, keeping the full body in the photo and focusing in the head ?

has great colour and the exposure is bang on.

But yea, i also think its a little lacking in "oomph". A little more head on would give it some personality. Tough subject those trumpets

Yep, tough subject - I've still not taken a pic of one I liked. Your exposure, focus, and color look great. I do find the background distracting - maybe shoot up to put it against blue water, or set DOF to blur it out. Might also try a vertical format, to catch these guys hanging head-down.

Thanks for the feedback. It is the best shot of a trumpetfish I had taken, so I thought I would get suggestions for improvements (maybe shoot other fish?). In answer to the earlier question, it is cropped.

Try portrait instead, I think looks better.

 

I am a Sydney-based underwater photographer and I had photographed a TRUMPET FISH in Sipadan. You may have a look at it: http://lennycliffbanger.com/p52298235/h3eba5bbd#h39c6f938

See link for more underwater photos: http://lennycliffbanger.com/

 

Only problem is that is not a trumpet fish (Aulostomus maculatus), it is a cornet fish (Fistulariidae)....

Not sure which one, possibly commersonii?

Interesting shot, nonetheless.

Amazingly sharp. Looking forward to seeing more as well!

The shot is interesting. Though this fish is rarely taken in profile I love this one.

Photo aspects aside - as they have been covered, I'm pretty sure it's a trumpet fish. The photo clearly shows a number of characteristics that identify it as such. It has a chin barbel, rows of fine scales and a laterally-compressed mouth. Also, the eye is comparatively smaller (eye diameter as a % of S.L.) and less oval in shape. Cornet fish, on the other hand, lack a chin barbel and scales - rather, they are either scale-less or have rows of hard plates in the skin, and the mouth is somewhat dorso-ventrally compressed. The eye of a cornet fish is comparatively larger and much more oval in shape when compared to a trumpet fish.

In terms of the photo - either is challenging to get an engaging shot of! I'd echo the comments on exposure and focus - nice job!