If you’ve ever stepped foot into a Big Al’s Aquarium Supercentre in Ontario, you know the vibe. It’s humid. It’s loud with the hum of a thousand filters. And honestly, it’s a visual overload. From the massive shark tank feedings in Mississauga to the rows of glowing reef displays in Vaughan, it’s basically a playground for anyone with a camera and an obsession with aquatic life.
But here is the thing. Taking Big Al's Ontario photos that actually look good is surprisingly hard. You see a vibrant Electric Blue Acara, you pull out your phone, and... nothing. Just a blurry blue smudge and a very clear reflection of your own forehead in the glass. It's frustrating.
I’ve spent way too many weekends roaming the aisles of the Kitchener and North York locations, and I’ve learned that aquarium photography is a specific kind of beast. It’s not just about having a fancy iPhone or a DSLR. It’s about fighting the physics of water and glass.
The Struggle with Glass and Light
The biggest enemy of a great shot at Big Al’s isn't the fish—it's the glare. Most of these supercentres use thick glass or acrylic for their display tanks. When the overhead industrial lights hit that surface, they bounce right back into your lens.
You've probably seen those "pro" photos online where the water looks invisible. They aren't doing that with magic. They’re usually using a rubber lens hood. Basically, it’s a big floppy cone you press right against the glass. It seals out the room light so the only thing your camera sees is what’s inside the tank. If you don't have one, just cup your hand around the lens. It sounds low-tech, but it works.
Also, let's talk about the "Blue Light" problem. Many of the saltwater setups at Big Al’s use heavy actinic lighting. To the human eye, it looks like a cool neon reef. To your camera sensor? It looks like a purple mess. Your white balance gets totally trashed.
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Quick Fixes for Better Tank Shots
- Clean the glass: Seriously. Big Al’s is a high-traffic spot. There are always greasy fingerprints at kid-height. Use a sleeve if you have to, but wipe the spot before you shoot.
- Angle yourself: Never shoot perfectly straight at the glass if you’re using a flash (though you shouldn't use a flash anyway, it scares the fish and ruins the depth). Aim at a slight 45-degree angle to deflect reflections.
- Manual Focus is your friend: Autofocus hates water. It'll try to lock onto a piece of floating debris or a scratch on the acrylic. Lock your focus on a rock or a slow-moving plant near where the fish is swimming.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the Shark Tank
If you’re heading to the Mississauga location on Dundas St. East, you’re there for the shark feeding. It’s the "big event." But trying to get a clear photo of a moving shark during a feeding frenzy is like trying to photograph a car crash in slow motion.
The movement is erratic. Most people try to take a video, which is fine, but if you want that "Discovery Channel" still shot, you need to bump your shutter speed. If you’re on a phone, use "Burst Mode." Just hold the shutter button down and pray. Out of 50 photos, one will actually have the shark's eye in focus.
The lighting in the "Enter the Deep" sections is intentionally dim to make the tanks pop. This means your camera is going to want to keep the shutter open longer to let light in, which causes motion blur. You've got to find that balance. Honestly, sometimes it’s better to just put the phone away and watch the sharks. They’re incredible creatures, and no photo really captures the scale of a full-grown nurse shark anyway.
The Ethics of Big Al's Ontario Photos
We need to be real for a second about the "social media" aspect of visiting these stores. Big Al’s has been an Ontario staple since the mid-70s. For many of us, it was our first introduction to nature. But with the rise of Instagram and TikTok, there's a trend of people tapping on the glass to get a fish to "pose" or look at the camera.
Don't be that person.
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The fish in these stores are already in a high-stress environment with thousands of people walking by. Tapping the glass is like someone banging on your front door with a sledgehammer. It creates pressure waves that genuinely hurt them. If you want a good photo, be patient. Sit on one of those little rolling stools they have in the aisles. Wait for the fish to come to you. The best shots are the ones where the animal looks natural, not terrified.
Beyond the Fish: Capturing the Hardware
Believe it or not, there’s a whole subculture of people who take photos of the equipment at Big Al’s. We’re talking high-end Fluval setups, CO2 injectors, and custom rimless tanks. If you’re into "aquascaping"—which is basically underwater gardening—the North York or Vaughan stores are like museums.
When photographing a dry tank or a display setup:
- Focus on the textures: The dragon stone, the driftwood, the specialized substrate.
- Check the corners: Pro-level tanks have "starfire" glass which has less of a green tint. You can see the difference in the edges of the glass in your photos.
- Scale matters: Put something familiar in the frame (like a hand or a bottle) so people can tell if they're looking at a 5-gallon nano tank or a 200-gallon monster.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to any of the Ontario locations—whether it's the 180 Steeles Ave West spot in North York or the massive one in Barrie—here is your game plan for the best photos.
First, go during the week. Tuesday mornings are a ghost town. You won't have people bumping into your tripod or kids running through your shot. The staff are also way more chill and might even give you a heads-up on when they're about to clean a specific tank, giving you the clearest water possible.
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Second, download a 3rd-party camera app that lets you control "ISO" and "Shutter Speed." The native iPhone or Android apps are okay, but they over-process aquarium shots. You want raw data.
Third, look for the "hidden" beauties. Everyone goes for the Discus or the Bettas. But have you looked at the planted tanks lately? The way a school of Rummy Nose Tetras moves through a thicket of Java Fern is stunning.
Your Photo Checklist:
- Lens cloth: Essential.
- Polarizing filter: If you’re using a real camera, this is the secret weapon for killing reflections.
- Patience: The fish doesn't know it's being photographed. You're on its time.
- White Balance: Set it to "Tungsten" or "Fluorescent" to counteract the yellow/blue store lights.
Big Al’s isn't just a pet store; for many Ontarians, it’s a weekend tradition. Taking great photos there is a way to bring a piece of that "deep sea" magic home with you. Just remember to respect the animals, watch out for the glare, and don't be afraid to get low to the ground for those dramatic angles.
To get started on your next gallery, try visiting the Mississauga location specifically on a feeding day. Check their local social media pages for the exact times—usually, it's a Saturday afternoon—and get there twenty minutes early to claim a spot right against the glass. This eliminates the gap between your lens and the tank, instantly cutting out 90% of the glare and giving you the sharpest focus possible.