How to Photo Submission Guide (Intermediate Guide)

Are you ready to take your aquascaping photography to the next level? Whether you’re submitting to renowned aquascaping contests or building your portfolio for community showcases, mastering effective photo submission is key. This intermediate guide will walk you through the best practices to prepare, capture, and submit winning aquascape photos, ensuring your aquarium stands out in any competition.

Why Photo Submissions Matter in Aquascaping Competitions

Perfectly composed photos can make all the difference when showcasing your aquascape. Competitions and online galleries rely heavily on photography to judge technical skill, design harmony, and the emotional impact of your aquarium. Submitting high-quality images increases your chances to get noticed, appreciated, or even awarded. Visit our aquascaping competitions guide to discover popular contests and their photo requirements.

Preparing Your Aquarium for Photography

Before you reach for your camera, set the stage! Proper preparation minimizes distractions and highlights the true beauty of your aquascape:

• Clean the glass: Remove algae and water spots both inside and outside.
• Trim and arrange plants: Ensure every stem and leaf looks its best.
• Maintenance: Perform a partial water change to enhance water clarity.
• Reposition fauna: If possible, encourage fish and shrimp to be in prominent locations.

For more pre-photo maintenance tips, see our comprehensive aquarium maintenance guide.

Camera Settings and Equipment for Aquascape Photography

Intermediate aquascapers often move beyond smartphones to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, but great results are possible with any camera if you understand the settings:

Recommended Camera Settings

• Aperture (f-stop): Use f/5.6–f/11 for sharpness throughout the scene.
• ISO: Set as low as possible (100–400) to reduce noise.
• Shutter Speed: Use a tripod and remote shutter for longer exposures (1/60–1/125 sec), freezing active fish.
• White Balance: Choose custom or daylight to accurately represent your aquascape’s colors.

Essential Equipment

• Tripod for stable, sharp images
• Remote shutter release or timer to prevent shake
• Polarizing filter to reduce glare (optional)
• Soft lights for balanced illumination if your aquarium lighting is insufficient

Lighting Techniques for Stunning Aquascape Photos

Lighting defines depth, vibrancy, and naturalness in your photo. Stay away from harsh, direct flashes and opt for techniques like:

• Using your aquarium lights as the primary source—their spectrum is tailored for plant and fish color.
• Supplementary soft LED panels to brighten shadowed corners.
• Placing white cardboard opposite the light source to bounce light evenly.

For aquascape photography inspiration and how lighting affects results, check out our aquascaping gallery.

Framing, Composition, and Focus

Apply these photographic principles to make your aquascape truly eye-catching:

• Use the rule of thirds to balance hardscape elements and plants.
• Avoid cutting off fish or key features at the edges of the frame.
• Keep the camera as perpendicular as possible to the glass for a flat, undistorted view.
• Tidy the background or use a neutral backdrop for a distraction-free presentation.
• Focus on the center of interest—ensure crisp details on focal points like driftwood, stones, or groups of fish.

Don’t forget to take multiple shots with slight variations—sometimes, the best photo is an unexpected one!

Basic Editing and File Preparation

Minor post-processing is often necessary to match what your eyes see with what the camera captured:

• Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance for natural colors.
• Crop to the correct aspect ratio required by your chosen contest or showcase.
• Remove minor spots or floating debris in post, but avoid altering the essence of your aquascape.
• Export in the correct file format and resolution (usually JPG or PNG, with a minimum of 1920x1080px recommended).

Label your files with your name and tank title for easier identification by contest organizers.

Submission Tips for Aquascaping Contests

Each contest may have its own photo rules. Double-check:

• File size and type limits
• Permitted editing/enhancement guidelines
• Deadline dates and time zones
• Accompanying information (aquascape title, description, plant and fauna lists)

Popular contests like the IAPLC (International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest), AGA Aquascaping Contest, and regional events have varying requirements—always read the official rules carefully.

Common Photo Submission Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving watermarks or text overlays (unless specifically allowed)
• Submissions with blurred, overexposed, or underexposed photos
• Images filtered with heavy Instagram-style effects
• Inaccurate color representation
• Visible cleaning tools, cords, or equipment in the shot

Showcase Your Aquascape: Share and Compete

After perfecting your photo submission, don’t limit yourself to contests. Share your aquascape on forums, social media, and resource hubs like Aquascaping Academy. Consider joining our aquascaping community to gain feedback and inspiration from aquarists worldwide.

Conclusion: Submit with Confidence

Submitting high-quality, well-prepared photos is an essential skill for every intermediate aquascaper. By following this guide, you’ll improve both your aquascaping and photography skills—helping your aquarium garner the recognition it deserves. For further resources on planting, hardscape, and design, head over to our aquascaping tips.

Ready to Show Off Your Aquascape?

Apply these techniques and submit your best photos today! For more in-depth aquascaping guides, join our newsletter or contact us with your photo submission questions. We can’t wait to see your masterpiece!