Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Tips for taking pictures in low light (++++karma)

profile picture
Perma
Posts: 513 - Karma: 20
is it possible to do without strobes or making your iso really high (which lowers the image quality)?  I'm talking about like someone sitting by a window with only a small amount of  sunlight coming through the window and nowhere else.  anything will be appreciated. thanks
Dec 7 2008 1:53PM
0 0
profile picture
cab509
Posts: 806 - Karma: 34
yeah, adjust the shutter speed so that the shutter is open longer. 
Dec 7 2008 2:08PM
0 0
profile picture
Elife
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 44
tripod, shoot wide open, open up that shutter and have them hold really really still. The only other thing I'd suggest is make sure you're on a really low iso (50-100) otherwise the long shutter speed can generate a lot of noise (your camera might have a solution, check the manual to see if there is a noise reduction setting for long exposures). Pretty straightforward, just click, review, repeat.
Dec 7 2008 3:34PM
0 0
profile picture
FilmingBitch
Posts: 6463 - Karma: 212
The only thing to watch out for when you do a long shutter near a window is that the window might become overblown - this can sometimes work to your advantage for a nice effect, depending on the the angle to the window.

Do you not want to use strobes or do you not have any? Using any sort of soft light on the person's face can help, even if it is a desk lamp (although the light from the window will be bluish and the lamp will be yellow...). Worst comes to worst you can tweak in post-production.

The optimal way to do it (if you had access to lighting and such) would be to use a low key light on the face with a blue filter on it (and probably a diffuser like a sheet of "tough spun"). The blue filter would make it all look like the light was from the window.
Dec 7 2008 3:42PM
0 0
profile picture
Elife
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 44
could make an HDR to avoid that.... just look up HDR tutorial and get to work
Dec 7 2008 3:51PM
0 0
profile picture
Perma
Posts: 513 - Karma: 20
yes that would work but im looking for those crisp portraits, the ones where it looks like it was shot like 1/125 of a second
Dec 7 2008 8:25PM
0 0
profile picture
TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
gotta get that light in there somewhere, and the only options are really

more light
slower shutter
wider aperture
more sensitive film/sensor
or bring it out in the darkroom or photoshop

you could get a lens with a really wide aperture, but remember that kills your DOF too.
Dec 8 2008 2:05AM
0 0
profile picture
skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7841 - Karma: 22,153
if you're having problems with the picture being blurry, just make sure the camera doesn't move, using a tripod or a flat surface and holding it steady.
Dec 8 2008 9:29AM
0 0
profile picture
hnosyalnif
Posts: 584 - Karma: 30
I normally shoot manually at increase the exposure (and the ISO).  As long as you hold the camera steady (get a tripod or find something similar) you can produce good (and atmospheric) shots.  I certainly prefer to shoot without flash and use natural light where possible.
Dec 9 2008 5:21AM
0 0
profile picture
tele_tom
Posts: 135 - Karma: 10
1. tripod and long exposure, obviously if you're shooting a person, and their alive, they'll probably be moving, which will blur if its too long.
2. use a reflector or two or three. bounce that light back in there!
3. maybe put the ISO up a little bit. (400-800)
4. shoot RAW and photoshop the hell out of it.
Dec 13 2008 10:35PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)