Help my pictures are terrible
Nov 26, 2011 16:47:02 #
OK so the most important days of the year are upon us and although I can take decent pictures all year long, when the family is together my picture taking abilities go out the window. The rooms are dark, people keep trying to pose when I don't want them to, and many of my pictures are dark, grainy and blurry. I swear, it's not the punch either.
Any good helpful hints? Thanksgiving is gone so maybe I can do better on Christmas.
Any good helpful hints? Thanksgiving is gone so maybe I can do better on Christmas.
Nov 26, 2011 16:55:05 #
Taking pics indoors is always tough, especially 'candid' shots of the gang gathered around the Yule Log (or the Yul Brynner, if so inclined). There's usually not enough light for a quick shot that is needed to freeze action,unless you have a good fast lens. You can dial up the ISO but you have to watch out for noise. So you put your camera on auto, and it shoots off the flash unexpectedly, Blinding Aunt Rose so she trips over the dog and upsets the coffee table full of egg nog.
Here's the only way I've found ANY success, and it was brief and not exactly frame-worthy.
1) fastest lens available - in my case, the 50mm f/1.8
2) On a tripod, with timer
3) As many lights as possible on in the room
4) Shout "Everybody sit the hell down and smile for one dam' second,will ya?"
5) Hope for the best.
It's really not as easy as the TV ads make it look. Few people's living rooms support 10,000 candlepower worth of light.
Here's the only way I've found ANY success, and it was brief and not exactly frame-worthy.
1) fastest lens available - in my case, the 50mm f/1.8
2) On a tripod, with timer
3) As many lights as possible on in the room
4) Shout "Everybody sit the hell down and smile for one dam' second,will ya?"
5) Hope for the best.
It's really not as easy as the TV ads make it look. Few people's living rooms support 10,000 candlepower worth of light.
Nov 26, 2011 16:58:58 #
what are you shooting with? if a nikon dslr bump up the iso don't use flash and be as quiet as you can be to catch people in candid instead of posed shots.
Nov 26, 2011 17:43:42 #
Nov 26, 2011 17:45:07 #
sinatraman wrote:
what are you shooting with? if a nikon dslr bump up the iso don't use flash and be as quiet as you can be to catch people in candid instead of posed shots.
That is exactly what I am using. I'll do that. Thanks for the tip.
Nov 27, 2011 03:58:35 #
mite try lower iso an smaller fstop for more light. what kinda camera
Nov 27, 2011 04:00:46 #
Nov 27, 2011 06:00:58 #
just a thought,
light up the room as it will be when they come over,pose some of the present family around the rooms.and take pictures at different settings til you find a good combintion.
OH,and if necessary,find a way to add a little more light to the main rooms.i don't think they will notice.
light up the room as it will be when they come over,pose some of the present family around the rooms.and take pictures at different settings til you find a good combintion.
OH,and if necessary,find a way to add a little more light to the main rooms.i don't think they will notice.
Nov 27, 2011 07:03:15 #
johnr9999
Loc: Carlton, OR
and be sure and pre-set your white balance. Your room lights without flash will be extremely yellow if incandescent or green if fluorescent
Nov 27, 2011 07:39:42 #
JimH... great set of suggestions, and #4 is SOOOO True! This made me laugh out loud!
Nov 27, 2011 08:37:26 #
Try boosting the room light , I have a clamp lamp hidden in the corner bouncing off the ceiling, other lights on, when possible fill flash to reduce problem shadows, use daylight cfl's less power and heat, more light, PointPressPray, Bob.
Nov 27, 2011 09:10:03 #
Since I've moved back to Ohio, my family has a new tradition of going downstairs to my little studio for a "mall studio" type portrait session.
for my p&s, I've gotten away from flash, like the posts above me, I'd say bump the ISO up and set the lighting to match the conditions.
A combo of posed shots and candids...that's what people are made of, so enjoy it.
http://lisabe.smugmug.com/LisaBEs-Family-Photo-Albums/Thanksgiving-Day-2011/i-jkdv9rV/0/M/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA0012-M.jpg
for my p&s, I've gotten away from flash, like the posts above me, I'd say bump the ISO up and set the lighting to match the conditions.
A combo of posed shots and candids...that's what people are made of, so enjoy it.
http://lisabe.smugmug.com/LisaBEs-Family-Photo-Albums/Thanksgiving-Day-2011/i-jkdv9rV/0/M/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA0012-M.jpg
Nov 27, 2011 09:12:36 #
monzi
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
JimH has some great advice... Spot on.
One other thing to consider, how are you holding your camera? Keep your elbows tucked into your body and not outward like a bird.
If a wall or post is close by put your back up against it to keep you from moving.
If your camera or lens has vibration control make sure it's on.
Good luck and post some of your results back on this thread so we can see how good our suggestions worked, or not! :-)
One other thing to consider, how are you holding your camera? Keep your elbows tucked into your body and not outward like a bird.
If a wall or post is close by put your back up against it to keep you from moving.
If your camera or lens has vibration control make sure it's on.
Good luck and post some of your results back on this thread so we can see how good our suggestions worked, or not! :-)
Nov 27, 2011 09:55:42 #
Since most of the suggestions here are about the technical side I thought I'd say something about the posing part. People need direction. Don't tell them what not to do, "Don't look at me." Rather give them something to do and a reason, "Keep talking with Aunt Mary. It will make you look more natural." People tend to look at the camera and smile for two reasons - 1) that's what they've been told to do since they were two, and 2) they think it makes them look better. You're fighting tradition and vanity. ;-)
Good luck.
Good luck.
Nov 27, 2011 10:23:38 #
These are great suggestions. Thank you everyone for your input. I will grab all the lamps from around the house and light up the room and practice with my husband before hand. I have never been brave enough to turn the flash off (worried that I won't get anything at all) but I'll try it in my practice mode and see what happens. I'd like to be really prepared because when they converge upon me, it's a housefull of very animated people. I'll post after the holiday.
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