Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Photography Advice for Minnow Identification

I have been catching minnows in my creek and have started taking pictures. My "models" have NOT been taking my posing advice very well!

I have tried taking photos in a water-filled ziploc bag. The fish usually sit on the bottom crease and it is difficult to observe their mouth or ventral fins.

I have also tried taking "dry" photos in a bowl with ruler marks. A large number of minnows have successfully leapt out of that photo shoot.

There is zero chance anybody is going to able to count the dorsal rays, etc. on my photographs.

Any good advice, or a good past thread in the forum that I missed on my search? (Also, I am not a good photographer, so pure photography advice might also be helpful to me and other PB readers.)

Could I put salt in a 1/4" of water in the bowl and get decent shots with a calmed fish?

Do you just take dozens of shots of the fish in the ziploc until you happen to get a good one?

Is there any good optically clear bowl or jar that can be used to take pictures? For example, a little betta fish globe - or does the curved glass cause optical distortions? Or a small "goldfish" bowl that has the two flat sides? Or just the jar from a large Ragu spaghetti sauce that works perfectly?

Thanks for the help,
FishinRod

The next time you go to the local box store, look for items sold in rather square or rectangular clear plastic containers. Or check out the kitchen isle and look for measuring jars with flat sides.

Seems like I've seen mixed nuts come in clear squarish containers, I know the local Menards had bungy cords sold in clear containers...I'd bet Hobby Lobby has what you need, I'm thinking ,cheap model car display case...heck, you might even need what's inside...lol!

Of course, the old fashioned goldfish bowls with two flat sides might be the quickest and cheapest bet.