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Pho'dUp · 10-13-2008, 09:16 AM

Okay, it's been a long year of weddings. Been to freaking 4 this year so far..

Anyhow I have the same problem every time. What's the best way to take pictures in low light indoors using a point and shoot Canon camera. I don't like to use the flash as it's usually too harsh creating harsh highlights of the people with redeyes and completely darkening the background. Non flash photos with a lower shutter speed are better but hard to take a non-blurry picture without putting the camera on a tripod. Even with image stabilization. Forget candid shots without the flash as someone will always be moving and be blurry.

Any ideas here? I've read some folks using a mirror to bounce the flash off the ceiling but I could use some camera tutelage.

Thanks.

SheDevil · 10-13-2008, 09:23 AM

The newer the camera the better the technology....and IS is built into a lot of them now too. Most pns have a manual that will give you tips for their brand .... good luck.

Pho'dUp · 10-13-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheDevil

The newer the camera the better the technology....and IS is built into a lot of them now too. Most pns have a manual that will give you tips for their brand .... good luck.

Thanks Kelly, I actually whipped that manual out for Canon SD850IS Elph for the last wedding and read it on the plane. Adjust the IS did help some too.

But dang, cameras are worse then bikes with the whole upgradeitis thing me thinks.

duke777 · 10-13-2008, 09:27 AM

Hey Carl

Unfortunately I have not seen a point and shoot camera does well in low light indoor settings. And the reason is simple, just look at the size of the lens on most point and shoot....they are very small so very little light gets in.

Even with quality SLRs low light is still problem with lens size at least 10 times that of the point and shoots.

Only good solution is a quality digital SLR with a big flash that you can either pointed up or got one of those filter for it. That's what the pros use.

Dubjay should have some good pointers on camera as it is one of his hobbies.

bighit8 · 10-13-2008, 09:40 AM

John AKA keepwhathappens, eric foltz, and Jordan AKA jordansrealm all would be good to shoot a PM. They all take pics for a living.

jeffj · 10-13-2008, 09:48 AM

I have a Canon HF-DC1 flash unit that I use with my P&S. It will work with most point and shoot cameras as a slave flash regardless of brand because it senses the flash from the camera and fires from that. It attaches to the tripod mount via a bracket or you or another person could actually hold it in their hand and point it at the ceiling to diffuse and bounce the light.

It extends the range out to about 30 feet and works well for fill flash outdoors too. It's a simple unit to operate, very small and compact. It takes a bit of experimenting to get used to the settings (both on the camera and on the flash) that work best, but it does make my P&S more versatile.

https://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/...oductId=190010

I paid $94 for mine through Amazon.

Von Petrol · 10-13-2008, 10:02 AM

with a point and shoot you you are stuck with what it is. however, try to use something that will diffuse the light so it is softer, like may some tissue over the flash. make sure that what ever you use is white so that the color temp. does not change.

0gravity · 10-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke777

Unfortunately I have not seen a point and shoot camera does well in low light indoor settings.....

....Only good solution is a quality digital SLR with a big flash that you can either pointed up or got one of those filter for it. That's what the pros use.

So true. If you're going to shoot a lot, you might consider stepping up to an SLR if you can afford it. You could also rent an SLR if there's a certain event you want to shoot. It would give you a chance to try an SLR out and see the improvements first-hand, before committing to one.

Bryguy17 · 10-13-2008, 10:52 AM

i would say rigging up a mirror to bounce the flash off the ceiling would be a good way of doing things. It just ends up making the room look like it has a gigantic skylight. did it once with an SLR and it worked quite well getting candid shots etc. just pointed the flash up (you gotta do a mirror for a pns though)

AKmoney · 10-13-2008, 11:00 AM

Get an SLR with a fast lens (f/2.8 or better) and maybe IS.

RacinJason · 10-13-2008, 11:02 AM

I use a remote flash. It clips onto the shoe on the top of my camera then I can face the flash anywhere I want. I use the pull out defuser on the flash if I have to direct it at whomever I am photographing.

I don't think any of that info will help with a point and shoot.

You can make a defuser out of wax paper and test it before you go do the shoot. If the flash hits them directly it will give the a deer in the headlights look with shinny faces and over exposure and maybe a mild case of red eye.

That is just for the lighting.
Now you have to learn your cameras features. Point and shoot cameras don't always give you the best adjust ability.

Trizz · 10-13-2008, 11:03 AM

obviously like everyone has said, a P&S is basicly that, but to creat the best possible photograph from your camera, it should have a manual mode, you want to turn your ISO all the way up as much as you can, its probably 1600 ISO or High ISO whaterver the camera will allow you. Then you want to open up aperature as much as your camera will allow, some P&S have an aperature of f/2.8 but most are about f/3.5.

When your ISO is turned up the pixels are more sensative to light, and when you open up your aperature you allow more light through the lens, with that combo plus your flash thats the best your camera will allow.

otherwise, the new 5D MKII is coming out, you could get one of those babies.

any questions shoot me a pm or post a question, i shoot professional wedding and portraits.

RacinJason · 10-13-2008, 11:10 AM

I don't know what the Iso range is on the point and shoots.

That is a good idea if it has that ability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trizz

obviously like everyone has said, a P&S is basicly that, but to creat the best possible photograph from your camera, it should have a manual mode, you want to turn your ISO all the way up as much as you can, its probably 1600 ISO or High ISO whaterver the camera will allow you. Then you want to open up aperature as much as your camera will allow, some P&S have an aperature of f/2.8 but most are about f/3.5.

When your ISO is turned up the pixels are more sensative to light, and when you open up your aperature you allow more light through the lens, with that combo plus your flash thats the best your camera will allow.

otherwise, the new 5D MKII is coming out, you could get one of those babies.

any questions shoot me a pm or post a question, i shoot professional wedding and portraits.

MotoDave · 10-13-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

I've read some folks using a mirror to bounce the flash off the ceiling but I could use some camera tutelage.

I use a white index card, and angle it at 45 degrees in fron t of my flash. I sometimes have to adjust the power of the flash up a stop as well. But it makes for much better pictures indoors.

Trizz · 10-13-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacinJason

I don't know what the Iso range is on the point and shoots.

That is a good idea if it has that ability.

most newer model P&S have the ability to choose the ISO, atleast I know Canon does, (I wont pick it up if its not Canon) usually its Auto ISO, High ISO or some have numbers ranging from 100-800.

Camera's such as the Canon G9 has almost all the ability of an SLR but changing lenses.

_____

Using an index card to redirect the flash to the ceiling doesnt sound like a good idea, P&S flashes do not have the power bounce enough light off the ceiling, I would suggest using the flash straigt forward like it was intended, and turning on the red eye reducer.

0gravity · 10-13-2008, 11:36 AM

Some point and shoots have a hot-shoe that accepts a flash. Unfortunately, I see that camera you have doesn't.

Bottom line: To take good shots indoors, you really need an external flash that can angle the flash in an indirect way. Pop-on diffusers help soften the light in addition to using an off angle.

dirtvert · 10-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Petrol

with a point and shoot you you are stuck with what it is. however, try to use something that will diffuse the light so it is softer, like may some tissue over the flash. make sure that what ever you use is white so that the color temp. does not change.

+1. if you can't put a filter on it, tissue works really well in a pinch. any pinch.

shudder · 10-13-2008, 01:43 PM

Hey Carl -- That particular cam doesn't get great great reviews for its high ISO performance. DPReview said it is excellent at the low ISOs from 80-400, but going to 800 and 1600 renders really noisy images. this is one of the test shots, taken at 1600:

Ick.

So, as Trizz sez, go high with ISO (maybe cut it off at 800 unless light is really low), turn on your IS to 'Continuous' (eats battery) or 'Shoot only' (conserves battery), stay as wide as you can (35mm on your camera nets you an aperture of F2.8, while on the long end at 140mm nets you only an F5.5 aperture, cutting way down on light available to photograph with), and then hope for adequate shutter speed (you have no manual control over shutter on your cam). And don't forget to hold still! (Breathe way in, then breathe out and be still; depress the shutter when you've released all of your air -- this is when you will be as still as you can be).

Good luck!

shud

stinky180 · 10-13-2008, 02:32 PM

i rock the Canon SD850is with latest modified firmware. camera rocks a lot! my only tips are

steady hands. IS mode to shoot. testing different iso speeds.

you can also try some of the scene modes they have.

jeffj · 10-13-2008, 03:21 PM

Actually, there are many flash units that will function as a slave that is triggered by the flash of your P&S. They come with a foot that fits the hot shoe connector on the flash unit.

You could also use a flash bracket like this:

http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=4928

It just depends on how bulky you are willing to go with your kit.

10-13-2008, 09:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pho'dUp I made a Taco this big!	Question for the Camera Buffs Okay, it's been a long year of weddings. Been to freaking 4 this year so far.. Anyhow I have the same problem every time. What's the best way to take pictures in low light indoors using a point and shoot Canon camera. I don't like to use the flash as it's usually too harsh creating harsh highlights of the people with redeyes and completely darkening the background. Non flash photos with a lower shutter speed are better but hard to take a non-blurry picture without putting the camera on a tripod. Even with image stabilization. Forget candid shots without the flash as someone will always be moving and be blurry. Any ideas here? I've read some folks using a mirror to bounce the flash off the ceiling but I could use some camera tutelage. Thanks. __________________ *TKBlazer:* Pho'dUp forgot his clothes i guess i have to stop by the thrift store and pick him up a dress to wear for the race

10-13-2008, 09:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
SheDevil Manah manah...	The newer the camera the better the technology....and IS is built into a lot of them now too. Most pns have a manual that will give you tips for their brand .... good luck. __________________ Suffering on a bike is noble, as it reflects the full blooming of the will.

10-13-2008, 09:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
duke777 Oh Deer!	Hey Carl Unfortunately I have not seen a point and shoot camera does well in low light indoor settings. And the reason is simple, just look at the size of the lens on most point and shoot....they are very small so very little light gets in. Even with quality SLRs low light is still problem with lens size at least 10 times that of the point and shoots. Only good solution is a quality digital SLR with a big flash that you can either pointed up or got one of those filter for it. That's what the pros use. Dubjay should have some good pointers on camera as it is one of his hobbies. __________________ $2,237.66 in damage.......Bambi must die!

10-13-2008, 09:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
bighit8 STR Veteran	John AKA keepwhathappens, eric foltz, and Jordan AKA jordansrealm all would be good to shoot a PM. They all take pics for a living. __________________ Roger: You guys should join us next Sunday. It would be nice to have another screamer CHEWYETI: Heat, Beat, Repeat!

10-13-2008, 11:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
RacinJason STR Veteran	I use a remote flash. It clips onto the shoe on the top of my camera then I can face the flash anywhere I want. I use the pull out defuser on the flash if I have to direct it at whomever I am photographing. I don't think any of that info will help with a point and shoot. You can make a defuser out of wax paper and test it before you go do the shoot. If the flash hits them directly it will give the a deer in the headlights look with shinny faces and over exposure and maybe a mild case of red eye. That is just for the lighting. Now you have to learn your cameras features. Point and shoot cameras don't always give you the best adjust ability. __________________ My sponsor house

10-13-2008, 09:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
jeffj Today: Sally O'Malley	I have a Canon HF-DC1 flash unit that I use with my P&S. It will work with most point and shoot cameras as a slave flash regardless of brand because it senses the flash from the camera and fires from that. It attaches to the tripod mount via a bracket or you or another person could actually hold it in their hand and point it at the ceiling to diffuse and bounce the light. It extends the range out to about 30 feet and works well for fill flash outdoors too. It's a simple unit to operate, very small and compact. It takes a bit of experimenting to get used to the settings (both on the camera and on the flash) that work best, but it does make my P&S more versatile. https://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/...oductId=190010 I paid $94 for mine through Amazon.

10-13-2008, 10:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Von Petrol Junior Member	with a point and shoot you you are stuck with what it is. however, try to use something that will diffuse the light so it is softer, like may some tissue over the flash. make sure that what ever you use is white so that the color temp. does not change.

10-13-2008, 10:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bryguy17 SLO Rider	i would say rigging up a mirror to bounce the flash off the ceiling would be a good way of doing things. It just ends up making the room look like it has a gigantic skylight. did it once with an SLR and it worked quite well getting candid shots etc. just pointed the flash up (you gotta do a mirror for a pns though)

10-13-2008, 11:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
AKmoney Senior Member	Get an SLR with a fast lens (f/2.8 or better) and maybe IS.

10-13-2008, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
Trizz I'm a Machine	obviously like everyone has said, a P&S is basicly that, but to creat the best possible photograph from your camera, it should have a manual mode, you want to turn your ISO all the way up as much as you can, its probably 1600 ISO or High ISO whaterver the camera will allow you. Then you want to open up aperature as much as your camera will allow, some P&S have an aperature of f/2.8 but most are about f/3.5. When your ISO is turned up the pixels are more sensative to light, and when you open up your aperature you allow more light through the lens, with that combo plus your flash thats the best your camera will allow. otherwise, the new 5D MKII is coming out, you could get one of those babies. any questions shoot me a pm or post a question, i shoot professional wedding and portraits. __________________ “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin A Woman told Winston Churchill you're a drunk his reply was "well your ugly and i'll be sober tommorow"

10-13-2008, 11:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
0gravity STR Veteran	Some point and shoots have a hot-shoe that accepts a flash. Unfortunately, I see that camera you have doesn't. Bottom line: To take good shots indoors, you really need an external flash that can angle the flash in an indirect way. Pop-on diffusers help soften the light in addition to using an off angle.

10-13-2008, 01:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
shudder dirt shucker	Hey Carl -- That particular cam doesn't get great great reviews for its high ISO performance. DPReview said it is excellent at the low ISOs from 80-400, but going to 800 and 1600 renders really noisy images. this is one of the test shots, taken at 1600: Ick. So, as Trizz sez, go high with ISO (maybe cut it off at 800 unless light is really low), turn on your IS to 'Continuous' (eats battery) or 'Shoot only' (conserves battery), stay as wide as you can (35mm on your camera nets you an aperture of F2.8, while on the long end at 140mm nets you only an F5.5 aperture, cutting way down on light available to photograph with), and then hope for adequate shutter speed (you have no manual control over shutter on your cam). And don't forget to *hold still*! (Breathe way in, then breathe out and be still; depress the shutter when you've released all of your air -- this is when you will be as still as you can be). Good luck! shud

10-13-2008, 02:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
stinky180 Contagious Pedal Bite	i rock the Canon SD850is with latest modified firmware. camera rocks a lot! my only tips are steady hands. IS mode to shoot. testing different iso speeds. you can also try some of the scene modes they have.

10-13-2008, 03:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
jeffj Today: Sally O'Malley	Actually, there are many flash units that will function as a slave that is triggered by the flash of your P&S. They come with a foot that fits the hot shoe connector on the flash unit. You could also use a flash bracket like this: http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=4928 It just depends on how bulky you are willing to go with your kit.

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