avoiding dark backgrounds - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

03/08/2006 10:50:04 AM · #1

I have many photos of my daughter in my living room and they are all very similar. She is relatively OK as to exposure but they rest of the room is very dark. She then blends with the dark background and she is hard to distinguish.

I take these normally around dusk/early evening with a single stand lamp in the room and the camera on all auto with a flash.

Here is an example of what I am talking about: //tinyurl.com/rc2vw

Anyone have any hints or tricks or just DSLR basics that I might be needing to get these to come out with a better overall exposure?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

03/08/2006 10:52:07 AM · #2

I would try the flash to start with.

03/08/2006 10:53:29 AM · #3

Longer shutter speeeds will bring up ambient lighting w/o effecting flash exposure.

Also, cheap slave flashes such as These can help with the situation.

Edit to add: Try using your camera in shutter priority (w/ flash) set shutter speed at 1/30 sec to start, work your way down to 1 sec exposures and see what you get. The 1 second exposures will require a tripod and a fairly still subject. Flash does freeze motion, but with 1 second exposures you would still see some blurring.

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 16:02:13.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/08/2006 11:00:13 AM · #4

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I would try the flash to start with.

I am using a flash already. Do you mean to try different flash settings?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

03/08/2006 11:05:09 AM · #5

Originally posted by edavison:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I would try the flash to start with.

I am using a flash already. Do you mean to try different flash settings?

Off camera flash.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/08/2006 11:07:29 AM · #6

Originally posted by edavison:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I would try the flash to start with.

I am using a flash already. Do you mean to try different flash settings?

Ed, with flash aperture controls flash exposure. A larger aperture would give your flash a further reach. When using flash, shutter speed can then be used to control the amount of ambient lighting. Thus a slower shutter speed would allow more available light to reach the sensor.

I suggest playing with shutter priority and manual modes. Try using shutter priority to start, go for longish exposures of 1/30 sec or better. Also, try manual modes with wide apertures and longish shutter speeds. See if those help.

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

03/08/2006 11:33:37 AM · #7

Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine getting a successful image of an active toddler with the shutter set to 1/30 sec or less! Especially if your flash doesn't fire on the backend of the frame (one of the poor features of my particular camera). Correct me if I'm wrong.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

03/08/2006 11:40:49 AM · #8

I agree with Kadi on toddlers and shutter speeds!

However, what's confusing me is the original poster's exif data;

It says that shot was taken at 1/45s, f5.6, ISO800, and the flash triggered. Surely it shouldn't be that dark?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

03/08/2006 11:41:40 AM · #9

Originally posted by edavison:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I would try the flash to start with.

I am using a flash already. Do you mean to try different flash settings?

Probalby. The image is very underexposed.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/08/2006 11:42:55 AM · #10

Originally posted by jhonan:

The onboard flash is not super powerful.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/08/2006 11:43:39 AM · #11

Turning on the light in the room would also help :P

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/08/2006 11:44:16 AM · #12

Originally posted by KaDi:

You might be right, but it's worth trying with a toddler that is sitting or for some other reason amused.

The cheap slave units might be worth a try also. I love my little slaves.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/08/2006 11:59:13 AM · #13

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

.... I love my little slaves.

Now, is that any way to refer to a toddler ? : )

03/08/2006 12:02:59 PM · #14

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
.... I love my little slaves.

Now, is that any way to refer to a toddler ? : )

At risk of seeing suit from Bear --- JeJe* :-)

Message edited by author 2006-03-08 19:50:49.

03/08/2006 02:51:40 PM · #15

*JeJe is a registered tradmark of Bear_music.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

03/08/2006 04:28:24 PM · #16

Originally posted by edavison:

Try using a higher ISO (example, ISO800) and speed up the shutter speeds. Also use the fastest aperture you have. This will allow you to shoot without using flash (NO FLASH).

I prefer this type of "natural" lighting compared to flashes. It will allow nice lighted background and non-blurry moving subjects.

03/09/2006 04:51:08 AM · #17

Originally posted by KaDi:

Dead on. It is all I can do sometimes to get the thing in focus before she is gone again. She loves to run around the couch but I just cannot get a good shot of this yet as she just moves too fast. Well, I should say I have lots of blurry and out of focus shots of her this way.