This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Thrifty Thursdays feature photographs taken with equipment costing less than $500.
[Nikon Coolpix 995 - 3 megapixel classic digicam from 2001]
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One frustrating aspect of point-and-shoot cameras is the sheer ugliness of the on-camera flash. One can circumvent this problem by building an external rig with various lamps or reflectors, but often it is simply easier to keep an eye out for scenes with naturally dramatic light. Here, a fish swims in a sun-soaked display tank inside the Bodega Marine Laboratory in California.