Some of the photography festivals in Scotland are dedicated to certain topics or ideas. At one time, the overall theme was Actinic Photography. Most often, this is the way that light is captured in a fish aquarium. Many photographers struggle with finding the proper way to photograph oddly colored lighting situations. The festival was designed to help photographers understand it.

About the Festival

At this festival, photographers could see a variety of Actinic photo exhibitions. They could talk about their experiences. They were also able to take part in a variety of workshops to help them hone their skills.

About the Technique

Have you ever seen an aquarium photo that was not washed out in appearance? One that perhaps has fluorescent corals or bold colored fish? Chances are good, the photographer has already figured out this type of technique with their camera. Actinic light is in essence UV light. It is a light that is near or slightly above the Actinic band or 430-450 nm. You may also want to block the blue light by adding yellow to the camera lens. It will ensure that the lights that are picked up are green to red in color. In order to succeed, you must figure out a way to change your camera’s visible color spectrum.

The Difficulty of Actinic

When you look at aquatic life, it automatically emits a bluish light. It can erase the rest of the colors you want to see. It requires you to photograph in low light. Some recommend no light from the tank itself. Others prefer to have a little light to ensure it is easier for their camera to focus on. You may have to play around with your camera to see what works for you. You may also have to use manual mode rather than automatic settings.