An aquarium created by Ripley's sounds like a cheesy place, but the Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg is actually one of the nicest aquariums I have been to in my life, and I have been to quite a few. I think it is actually the most visited aquarium in the country, if not the world. I highly recommend going if you are in the area.

My wife and I went there during our Smokies trip and actually picked up season passes since we are up in the Smokies often enough to make the cost worthwhile. The aquarium was not very crowded during our trip, giving me the opportunity to recreate one of my favorite shots ever, this time with a camera that could actually handle low light. I got a ton of other neat shots as well:

Wow, when did they start keeping good looking blonds in aquariums?

It was a one time only event.

Excellent photographs, Storl. I went to the Tennessee Aquarium once as a child (also hit Graceland and Dollyworld on the same trip )

Were you using your Pentax? Any filters? Tripod? I've not managed to get that many quality photographs at an aquarium yet. I love the fish faces.

Yeah, using the K20D. No filters or tripod. Didn't need them with an f1.4 lens. I think ISO was usually 400 or 800 and shots were generally 1/60th of second.

I'm going to have to plan a trip to an aquarium in that case, once I get my 1.4 lens. Tuesday!!

WOW!!!

Incredible pics. You guys are really reminding me why I need a faster lens for my camera.

Ripley's aquarium was one of my favorite places to visit when I lived down there. I have spent many a day or an afternoon just slowly wandering and allowing myself to take it all in.

Great pictures! All my aquarium pics turn out really blurry. The digital we have hates if it can't have its flash on.

I love the jellyfish one and the little fish smiling for the camera.

I might actually have to start carrying my 50 mm 1.2 around.