More Photo Help, Please??? :)

[Melissa]

Hi everyone,

Here I am once again with 3 photos I took of myself on different settings. I was wondering, when you get time of course, if you could help me figure out what I am doing right, and what I am doing wrong. Here are the pics:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/5358/Me-x-3.jpg

Here is a little background info about these photos:
1. They were all shot on Av mode.
2. The first one was shot with the flash, and then the flash was closed gently for the 2nd(and 3rd).
3. The only thing that changed from the 1st to 2nd was the shutter speed, since the flash was not open.
4. On the third photo, I upped the ISO from 800 to 1600.
5. All info on these pictures are the same except for shutter speed and ISO settings.

Thank you so much. You all have been such great help and I think I am beginning to grasp what is going on here. I hope I can learn this better, sooner rather than later!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday! :D

*Edited to Add* I am really concerned right now with getting good indoor photos. At this moment, I am getting good light from outdoors through the windows and front door. I am wondering since my walls are so dark(panelled), that they are absorbing light. If my walls were lighter, maybe the light would actually bounce a tad. Does this make sense?

[carolyn d]

Not that I am an expert of any kind, but I think one thing here is where you are standing if reference to the light. Remeber, the camera is "stupid". The camera's sensor "sees" the bright light BEHIND you and meters for that. I bet if you stood sideways to the window, so that the light was falling partially on your face, the shot would be lit more to your liking. I have some examples I can show you, but I don't know how to included them in a post as you have done here. I have been following your threads for a little while and can see how quickly you've learned !! BRAVO !!

Ofyour three photos, I much prefer the second and third. The light is so much softer. The built in flash throws such hard shadows.However, in the first shot, your beautiful eyes are much more visible, but the skin tones appear more blanched out. I like the skin tones in the second and third better, but the shots seem a bit darker. Same thing happens to me, too. Seeing as you are a stationary object, maybe using a longer shutter speed to allow more light in. ( that puts you in shutter priority tho)

I know this isn't really the answer you're looking for, but I just wanted to drop in with my 2 cents.

[Tina]

i agree about the 2nd and 3rd photos. However, indoors you will sometimes HAVE to use a flash.

I dont know if its an option or not for you right now, but you really need an external flash unit. If you get one, I very highly recommend the Lightsphere to go along with it ( www.garyfong.com ). If this is not an option, try diffusing your flash with a tissue/tissue paper/coffee filter. If you have $20 to spare, while I have never seen one work, I trust Gary Fong's products- His Puffer looks like a good diffuser that you wont have to fool trying to make yourself each time. You can see it here:

http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html

The onboard flash (non diffused) is always going to throw a cool tone, which is unattractive for photos. Here are some I shot over the Christmas holiday with an external flash and the (clear) lightsphere (using no dome).


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/09Dec261148.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/10Dec261149.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/13Dec261151.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/17Dec261152.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/15Dec261152.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/19Dec261153.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/31Dec270028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/24Dec261537.jpg

This last photo was shot with no flash, Christmas tree lights and the ISO bumped up to 1600. As a result it was very grainy, but a quick run through Neat Image helped tremendously.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/23Dec261524.jpg

[sailingsue]

I definitely agree with Tina on the need to use a flash indoors when you don't have control of the light. I think you have the Canon Rebel which has a built in flash which is great outdoors for adding fill flash but indoors its much to harsh and direct. An external flash mounted to the camera's hot shoe that has the ability to bounce the flash is a great solution for indoor flash. Adding a diffuser to the external flash is even better. I too own and really like the Gary Fong diffusers. You really need to add some light to the eyes and faces. Boucing the light off the ceiling or walls makes for a very large soft light source. I too will increase my ISO setting to capture the ambient (available) lighting in the room. My only other thought on the above pics is your lens choice. At a focal lenght of 18mm and shooting your subject upclose you get a lot of distortion. My preference for "portrait" type pics is a focal lenght of 100mm -150mm. Good luck, your off to a great start!

[Christine]

Great pictures, Tina. I was just looking at a lightsphere today. Why did you pick the clear over the clouds one? Anybody else have a preference about which is better?

[Melissa]

Not that I am an expert of any kind, but I think one thing here is where you are standing if reference to the light. Remeber, the camera is "stupid". The camera's sensor "sees" the bright light BEHIND you and meters for that. I bet if you stood sideways to the window, so that the light was falling partially on your face, the shot would be lit more to your liking. I have some examples I can show you, but I don't know how to included them in a post as you have done here. I have been following your threads for a little while and can see how quickly you've learned !! BRAVO !!

Ofyour three photos, I much prefer the second and third. The light is so much softer. The built in flash throws such hard shadows.However, in the first shot, your beautiful eyes are much more visible, but the skin tones appear more blanched out. I like the skin tones in the second and third better, but the shots seem a bit darker. Same thing happens to me, too. Seeing as you are a stationary object, maybe using a longer shutter speed to allow more light in. ( that puts you in shutter priority tho)

I know this isn't really the answer you're looking for, but I just wanted to drop in with my 2 cents.

A longer shutter speed I know would help, but for when it comes to taking photos of my DD, it won't work. She simply won't stay still at all(I wonder how the school photographer made out shooting her this month:confused: ) So after reading all the posts here, I am definitely looking at getting an external flash for indoors. And perhaps the lightsphere too, since it isn't as expensive as the EF itself. Thanks for your response. It's given me some things to think about.

[Melissa]

i agree about the 2nd and 3rd photos. However, indoors you will sometimes HAVE to use a flash.

I dont know if its an option or not for you right now, but you really need an external flash unit. If you get one, I very highly recommend the Lightsphere to go along with it (www.garyfong.com). If this is not an option, try diffusing your flash with a tissue/tissue paper/coffee filter. If you have $20 to spare, while I have never seen one work, I trust Gary Fong's products- His Puffer looks like a good diffuser that you wont have to fool trying to make yourself each time. You can see it here:

The onboard flash (non diffused) is always going to throw a cool tone, which is unattractive for photos.


Ok, I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong when my photos weren't taken with the flash. I am definitely looking at getting both the flash and lightsphere, depending on what our tax situation will look like this year. I always love how your photos look(you rock the photos, girl!) and I can see how beneficial the flash and lightsphere will be to me.
Although I love how the last photo of Tate turned out in the natural lighting.

After you had mentioned Neat Image, I went and downloaded it. It'll take me a few days to learn, but I think I like it already. I have the Digital Photo Professional that came with my camera, and it does fairly well.

[Melissa]

I definitely agree with Tina on the need to use a flash indoors when you don't have control of the light. I think you have the Canon Rebel which has a built in flash which is great outdoors for adding fill flash but indoors its much to harsh and direct. An external flash mounted to the camera's hot shoe that has the ability to bounce the flash is a great solution for indoor flash. Adding a diffuser to the external flash is even better. I too own and really like the Gary Fong diffusers. You really need to add some light to the eyes and faces. Boucing the light off the ceiling or walls makes for a very large soft light source. I too will increase my ISO setting to capture the ambient (available) lighting in the room. My only other thought on the above pics is your lens choice. At a focal lenght of 18mm and shooting your subject upclose you get a lot of distortion. My preference for "portrait" type pics is a focal lenght of 100mm -150mm. Good luck, your off to a great start!

Ok, you all have convinced me that I really should get the external flash and the lightsphere! Lenses will probably come later next year(wait, it's almost next year!)I was hoping to get the 50mm lens first, and then follow up with 70-300mm lens. Thanks for your help!

[Tina]

Thanks Melissa :D

Chris, the reason I got the clear lightsphere is b/c thats all Gary had at the time! LOL! The cloud came out later.

I'm totally eyeballing the Whaletail at the mo tho!

***Oh and I should add that all of my photos above are SOC except the hug photo (cropped only) and the tree light photo has been run through Neat Image as I said.

[ima]

I like your 2nd shot better than the other two. I also have a hard times taking indoor pictures, I often used on-board flash for that and got undesirable pictures! I just got Gary Fong LS2 last month but I haven't really used it (having an external flash mounted on my camera makes it too heavy for me to hand-hold :D) except for some test shots.

Last week, for the first time in my life :D I shot indoor with no flash using my nifty fifty lens and 15mm f/2.8 during secret santa gift exchange with my co-workers. The room was dominated with red and yellow colors and dim lights. I used ISO 400 to ISO 1600. Here are some of the shots:

15mm @ F/2.8 1/30sec ISO 400
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5511/secretsanta002rz1.jpg

The following images shot with 50mm @ ISO 800
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2930/secretsanta040cd3.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2005/secretsanta034aam6.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1123/secretsanta015ahk5.jpg

The following images shot with 50mm @ ISO1600
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2259/secretsanta051mo2.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9826/secretsanta048gu4.jpg

more pictures are HERE (http://imanyabob.multiply.com/photos/album/129/NOT_SO_SECRET_SANTA)

[Melissa]

I like your 2nd shot better than the other two. I also have a hard times taking indoor pictures, I often used on-board flash for that and got undesirable pictures! I just got Gary Fong LS2 last month but I haven't really used it (having an external flash mounted on my camera makes it too heavy for me to hand-hold :D) except for some test shots.

Last week, for the first time in my life :D I shot indoor with no flash using my nifty fifty lens and 15mm f/2.8 during secret santa gift exchange with my co-workers. The room was dominated with red and yellow colors and dim lights. I used ISO 400 to ISO 1600. Here are some of the shots:

Wow! Your photos have inspired me so much!! Do you have the 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8 lens? I LOVE all your photos! They're awesome!

[ima]

Wow! Your photos have inspired me so much!! Do you have the 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8 lens? I LOVE all your photos! They're awesome!

Thank you. Mine is 50mm F/1.8 :)

[Tina]

Oh, did I mention that all the above photos of mine are shot with the 50mm lens as well? I dont think i did! sorry about that. 50mm F/1.8.

[Melissa]

Oh, did I mention that all the above photos of mine are shot with the 50mm lens as well? I dont think i did! sorry about that. 50mm F/1.8.

Oh I see. See, I only have the kit lens right now. I am hoping to upgrade soon. That lens seems to give off a better quality photo. I have some shots I am pleased with, although I am sure they could've turned out better(using an external flash, that is. In the colder months I take 98% of my shots indoors).

[Tina]

the 50mm is a fixed focal length lens. Its great for natural light photos too. It takes a bit to get used to actually. you'll think you have something in focus and it looks like it on the LCD, but once you look at it in full size, its blurry.

Its a great lens, but just a word of caution. Also, since its fixed at 50mm you'll often have to back away from your subjects.

I'm looking into a Sigma 18-200mm myself. (Sigma only b/c Canon does not make one).

[Tina]

Oh one other word, Melissa, dont sell the kit lens that short, most of my photos in my gallery are taken with it. But, if its a flash photo, I've likely got the whole external/lightsphere contraption on as well! you should see some of the looks I get with that thing. lol!

[Melissa]

Oh one other word, Melissa, dont sell the kit lens that short, most of my photos in my gallery are taken with it. But, if its a flash photo, I've likely got the whole external/lightsphere contraption on as well! you should see some of the looks I get with that thing. lol!

Yes, I do remember you telling me that you use the kit lens most of the time. I can only imagine the looks you get with the lightsphere thing! :lol: But if it means great pictures over not so great, I won't care a bit about the looks! Question: When the flash goes off with the lightsphere attached, does it send out a blinding light, or does the light kind of "float off" into the space of the room?

[Tina]

Well, that depends on where you are directing your flash. If its directly toward the people, yes, its very bright, but when you bounce it off the walls/ceiling, its not.

The lightsphere doesnt increase the flash, it just softens it so your photos have a warm tone v. a cold tone.

[Melissa]

Oh, I took my camera outside with me when DD wanted to go outside. Here is one of the very first photos I've taken with my new camera outdoors:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/5358/IMG_7352-2.jpg

I know it could have been better, so I will attribute the lack of to my not knowing very much and for the fact that it was cloudy and overcast outside. I did doctor this up a little in DPP though.

[Melissa]

Well, that depends on where you are directing your flash. If its directly toward the people, yes, its very bright, but when you bounce it off the walls/ceiling, its not.

The lightsphere doesnt increase the flash, it just softens it so your photos have a warm tone v. a cold tone.

Well, I don't plan on aiming the flash at anyone. My poor dd runs now when she sees the camera because she's afraid I'm going to use the flash! :( So the lightsphere softens to a warm tone because the flash itself gives off a cool tone? I've noticed a little difference when using the on-board flash and changing the WB. I still need to try custom white balance, or at least read up on the hows and whys.

[Tina]

ok, I JUST took these. I only left the 50mm on cuz I was too lazy to change it!

just examples of the on board v the external with the diffuser

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/DigiScrapGirl/01Dec272307.jpg

Gary Fong needs to start paying Jennifer and I for all the business we've sent his way! LOL! Hey, find a good product, share the knowledge! Thats what I say!

[Tina]

your outdoor pic looks great, imho!

[Melissa]

Wow! Huge difference! I love it! What do you think about this: nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a Speedlite and a Lightsphere? Right, right???? :lol:

[Tina]

Right!

[Melissa]

your outdoor pic looks great, imho!

Thank you! I did something right! :D