Hey guys...
Can anyone help... it may be really simple but I don't know!
When I'm taking a pic (I only have a P&S) with the flash on, sometimes it's just too bright but when I take it with the flash off, the pic isn't as clear or if the baby moves as I click, it blurs!! It's so frustrating!
Is there a particular setting I should be using to avoid the blur??
I'm no expert but is there a sports mode on the camera to reduce the blurring and as for the flash, maybe try standing further away to reduce the brightness.
In camera flashes will usually always give you problems like this due to the distance between the flash and the lens, you need to find a way to either deflect or diffuse the light. you can deflect the light by angling a piece of aluminium foil in front of the flash so that the light is bounced off a near by surface or place something transulcent in front of the flash (white film canisters and baking parchment are perfect)
You could try diffusing the flash.....tape a business card in front so it reflects it up and away like this= \ > (if that makes sense) or put a small piece of tupperware or semi-clear plastic in front of your flash. You might have to play with different types of plastic to get the effect the way you want.
What kind of p&s is it? I used to use coffee filters on my s5 is (canon). Folding them more or less diffused the flash more or less, then just rubber band them on.
exactly right about diffusing the flash, but there is another option... if you can move the baby that is :)
Try shooting right next to a large window or doorway (frosted if possible because you'll get the nicest light, but it doesn't really matter). You want enough light so you can get a fast enough shutter speed so you don't get blur (with a p&s anything above 1/100s will be easily fast enough). The window should let in enough light, but it will also give you a nice soft angled light that won't produce harsh shadows
@echoia It's only a Fujifilm finepix, I will try that thanks. Its my birthday in July so I have 5 whole months to wait for a DSLR (that's if hubby has taken the million hints!!)
@dieter Thanks, I have noticed when I take pics before bathtime without the flash, they turn out a lot better, I didn't know why but now I understand it's because we have a big frosted window in there!!
@echoia I don't even have a clue, I was quite happy with my P&S until I started this project and now I see all these amazin pics everyday and am desperate for a new, posh camera :) So i'm still researching which ones are great without completely breaking the bank!! Any suggestions???
@jennalou have you heard of Steve McCurry (the guy who took the Afghan Girl shot in National Geographic)? he always uses natural light rather than flash. To get that wonderful directional-diffuse light he shoots his subjects in doorways and laneways, windows, tent flaps, wherever. Or even just outdoors under an overcast sky.
Check your manual, look for a setting that is less/more flash. On my little canon it's a scale, with zero being normal and then plus or minus in increments on the less or the more side. Experiment with it if your camera has it..
@jennalou It depends on what breaking the bank is, for sure. I haven't used a Canon in several years but they're awesome. If you're going DSLR you'll probably want either a Canon or a Nikon- not that other makers aren't great, but you will find so many more resources for these two brands.
I personally got a D90 last Christmas even though they'd been discontinued a while before because I knew it had everything I wanted in a camera control wise but was half the price of its replacement. Once I borrowed my boyfriend's D70 I knew I needed two command dials & a top display. Kids move fast and I don't have the time to scroll through menus for the D5100 to get good pictures of them : ) Also I have some older Nikon lenses and I really needed a body with an autofocus motor, which the d5100 again does not have- it has a beautiful sensor, but a high-resolution blur is still a blur.
If I could go back to when I bought my d40 and people were telling me not to worry so much about the body I would tell myself to get the best dang body I could afford- you'll grow into it ; )
Sometimes you can override the auto flash even on P&S cameras to have them under expose. That will make the light less harsh. Otherwise, if you can't move to a window, use a diffuser like the others above have suggested. Works wonders. Check cnet.com for camera reviews. They are not sponsored by the manufacturers, so the reviews are honest. Good luck!
@jennalou I agree with @echoia about the camera body. When I chose my DSLR, it was all about the buttons and menus. If you have an idea about how manually you will use the camera, pay attention to what functions are on buttons and what are inside menus. Especially if you're using the camera mostly to shoot people. Buttons are way faster and you eventually learn the feel without having to look for them. Familiarity with my camera is probably what I've gained most from 365 so far. (BTW, I have a Sony Alpha230).
You normally will have a flash compensator where you can increase or decrease the effect of the flash on the subject. Have a read through your manual as you might find the answer there.
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Thanks so much for all your suggestions I'm definitely goin to try all of those... Love this site :D
Try shooting right next to a large window or doorway (frosted if possible because you'll get the nicest light, but it doesn't really matter). You want enough light so you can get a fast enough shutter speed so you don't get blur (with a p&s anything above 1/100s will be easily fast enough). The window should let in enough light, but it will also give you a nice soft angled light that won't produce harsh shadows
I personally got a D90 last Christmas even though they'd been discontinued a while before because I knew it had everything I wanted in a camera control wise but was half the price of its replacement. Once I borrowed my boyfriend's D70 I knew I needed two command dials & a top display. Kids move fast and I don't have the time to scroll through menus for the D5100 to get good pictures of them : ) Also I have some older Nikon lenses and I really needed a body with an autofocus motor, which the d5100 again does not have- it has a beautiful sensor, but a high-resolution blur is still a blur.
If I could go back to when I bought my d40 and people were telling me not to worry so much about the body I would tell myself to get the best dang body I could afford- you'll grow into it ; )