New York Aquarium Photography - Best Angles and Tips

Aquarium light is low, blue, and reflective — plan to embrace it.

Quick Wins

• Fast lens or high ISO, lens hood pressed to glass.
• Dress dark, remove bright hats/scarves.
• Shoot when a single subject separates from the background.

Angles

• Slight diagonal to glass cuts glare.
• Lower angle for kids looking up — tells a story.
• Try leading lines from rockwork or rays of light.

Settings Cheatsheet

• Shutter: 1/125–1/250s for slow cruisers; 1/320–1/500s for quick fish
• Aperture: f/2–f/4 for subject isolation
• ISO: 1600–6400 (embrace grain; prioritize sharpness)

Pro: Use manual focus when AF hunts; pre-focus on the mid-plane of the tank.