s3 is problem

[perry202]

Hi,
I bought the canon s3 is after getting some rave reviews from people on this site. This is my first digital camera, a real novice here, and I'm still trying to figure out the manual. However I just developed my first batch of pics from my little one, all taken indoors and most of them either have a shadow or a little bright light being bounced off in the background. I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong or is the camera not set right. I used the auto settings. also, half of them had red eyes. Id appreciate all your advice.
Thanks,
Perry

[XaiLo]

can you post an example with EXIF information?

[perry202]

I tried and it said that the file is to big.
also it only shows on the actual pictures no on the computer.
in addition, why do I get the red eye on some pics and on some not?

[AMDnut]

Welcome to the board perry202!

First thing first - get out of the Auto setting and go to "P" for your learning.

Start with reading the first thread in here " DCRP Canon S2 IS Tip List " as it applies to the S3 also (most settings are the same).

When shooting indoors or where shadows are present, use the flash and play with the settings. You can lower the flash intensity to get the best shots without "blowing out" the highlights. This should also help Red eye as well.

Let us know if this helps any...

[berniej]

Canon is the worst for their red eye reduction doing next to nothing as opposed to any other brand I have owned.

Lowering the intensity of the flash works pretty good for short distances.

[perry202]

Thanks a lot.
I'm definitely going to try your advice and keep you posted.

[danidabi]

^^I think I have only had one picture where the red eye was a problem. It never causes issues for me:)

[David Metsky]

Red eye is a common problem with my S3, but I can fix them up in the computer quickly if I need to.

[perry202]

I'm glad to hear i'm not the only one having the problem with the red eye. I fixed it up when I developed it however why do they even add a red eye function if it's not working?
Beats me. however i still have the shadow problem.

[griptape]

The idea behind red eye reduction is to reduce the size of the pupil by flashing a bright a little bit before the picture is taken. If the person isn't looking/closes their eyes, no it won't help. It's just something you have to deal with when you use flash. So are shadows. Flash doesn't create natural looking light, period. Unless you have about 3 of them.

The S3 really isn't meant to be a point and shoot. It's meant to be a hobbyists camera for people who really care to take the time to understand exposure and aperture and get the pictures THEY want, not the pictures the camera decides for them they should want. If you wanted something to leave on auto mode and take snapshots, you bought the wrong camera.

[jonalta]

I'm glad to hear i'm not the only one having the problem with the red eye. I fixed it up when I developed it however why do they even add a red eye function if it's not working?
Beats me. however i still have the shadow problem.

The shadows will always be there with the S3. But I may be able to give you these tips:

1. Use available room lighting if possible and avoid using flash.
2. If room lighting is not enough, it is better to place the subject as far as possible from the background.
3. If it is not possible to distance away from the background, use a home-made diffuser. I sometimes just cover the flash with a white tissue paper or plain paper to soften the shadows. But you may need to experiment on flash intensities to get desired results. There are some threads here on some home-made diffusers also.

Good luck and happy shooting.