Tips on shooting in low light?

Question

How can I shoot good digital pictures in low-light settings without using flash? Pictures come out too dark and blurry when I try. Also, how can I reduce the brightness of my flash when I do use it?

Answer 1

Definately use a tripod for low light without flash. You will be pleased at the difference that it makes in your pictures. Use a wider aperture and slower shutter speed. If your subject is moving, it will still be blurred, even when you use a tripod. Some people like the effect it makes, so try it out and see for yourself.

There are ways to get your flash to be less bright. You can increase your flash to subject distance. That's the easiest way to reduce flash. Or go into your camera's menu and select "exposure compensation" and put it one or two stops underexposed (-1 or -2). Just remember later to change it back to zero so later pictures won't come out underexposed. And finally, you can filter your flash with a tissue or hankie draped in front of it. Just make sure it's white, or your picture will take on a color cast. Or, if you want to get creative, you can try it with a color sometime.

Answer 2

If you're shooting in low light without a flash you need to switch to aperture priority, which will increase the time the shutter stays open and will probably mean you'll need to use a tripod so the image doesn't get blurry. There's not much you can do about a "hot" flash unless you find something that you can put in front of it that will block some of the flash but will let most of the light through, like an optic filter or a translucent paper/fabric of some kind. You may want to ask the gurus at Ritz Camera if they have something like that.

Answer 3

Set your shutter speed a little slower. The longer it remains open, the more light it will let in. Use caution though. The longer you leave it open the more chance it will pick up any movement from your hand. You can use a tripod to correct that problem. I am not sure if you are shooting with digital or film. If you are using film, buy a higher speed film (400+) The higher the number the more sensitive to light. If you have a digital, the ISO is the cameras sensitivity to light. Depending on your camera you may be able to change this setting. Check your manual on that.
Finally, invest in a basic photography book. You can go to amazon and search 'Digital photography' and get a ton of books. The great thing about that is you can see the reviews on them to see if they are any good before buying.

Answer 4

first of all invest in a decent Tripod. Don't skimp, if its too light a breeze or vibration will result in blurry shots. And if its cheap then it'll probably be too short too. I assume you want your shots taken at your eye level and not waist level. Then read your camera's instruction manual and learn to adjust your shutter settings. Also, find out if you can use the shutter delay or remote control for shutter. I learned that even if I was careful, pressing the shutter button causes movement that makes blurry shots. As for your flash, see if the manual indicates if the flash can be adjusted, mine is. Good Luck and have fun. With a tripod and long shutter time, you can do lots of "tricks"

Answer 5

It depends on the camera.
Are you using an SLR or a "point and shoot" type camera?
To help the blurryness, I'd try using a tripod. It really helped me a lot.

Answer 6

It all depends on the type of camera that u used...
For a normal pns...just use a tripod...for bumpin up
the ISO wouldnt be of ani use...as pictures would turn out grainy.

Answer 7

To reduce flash brightness, use a kleenex or toilet paper, (unused) over the flash.

Answer 8

we need to know the kind of camera.
almost every camera has an ev setting.
if you have a P on your dial - use it.
then find the ev setting.
experiment and raise it one notch at a time.
if you tell me the camera and email me - maybe, I can help you more.