By Mark Etinger
The main problem that most digital camera users complain about is the impossibility of taking pictures in low light conditions. It might seem like the easiest thing. If it's dark, the camera automatically pops the flash out and boom! the room lights up and everybody is blinking the white spot out of their eyes. But still, grandma looks like a zombie and your best friend looks like he's been bitten by a vampire.
So what are you doing wrong? First of all you use the camera's built in flash. A big no no. If you have a point and shooter, you don't really have a choice. Best thing you can do is take a good look at your surroundings and never put your objects in front of a mirror or any reflective object when you are planning to flash.
If you got a better, bigger camera with a hot-shoe, you should get an external flash and get it fast. Using an external flash can change your photos dramatically. First of all, it will help reduce the annoying red eyes which frankly, most point-and-shoots can't do. External flash lets you change the direction and angle of the light so it doesn't bounce back from the subject's eyes.
External flash also works wonders eliminating shadows form the photos and can give a nice depth to grandma instead of making her look like a flat cardboard. But best thing about this kind of flash photography is the powerful illumination these devices deliver. When using a built-in flash, most of the times you'll notice dark spots in the margins of the photo due to low illumination. External flash throws a stronger light and ends the flash "fall off" at the corners of the photo.
If you're new to flash photography, notice that your camera has a few basic settings, each will give you a different looking photo. Notice there's a "P", a "Tv", "Av" and one "M"
P The camera will use the flash as the main light source. You will not need a tripod, even when the lights are extremely low. This is great although the background can appear very dark.
AV/TV The camera will first use the existing light available and only after that the flash will activate and fill the foreground. Your pictures will look better but you'll need a tripod.
M Stands for manual and you're the one making the shots.
There are many external flash units available in the market. There are entry level flash units and pro level flash units and prices vary accordingly. External flash units can get quite expensive so we suggest you to start from the cheaper ones until you get your flash photography skills together, and only then start climbing up the model list.
Want to get that perfect photo? Looking for the right light and the right speed? Visit www.photo4less.com for all of your photography needs. If it's a new camera, bigger lens, flashes, filters, and even dark room equipment www.photo4less.com is fully stocked and ready to deliver your purchase. Even in low light settings.
www.photo4less.com can answer all of your photography needs, if its a new camera, bigger lens, flashes, filters, and even dark room equipment we are fully stocked and ready to deliver your purchase.
Source:www.isnare.com |
