Question about taking pics on Manual mode

[Buktheng]

Hello, I'm new to this site and I must say, it's a great forum to come to. I just got my S3 about a month ago and still learning about it. I have a question about taking pictures in Manual mode.

I tried taking pictures of my son in manual mode without having to use the flash because I hate how it makes the picture look. Like the picture has too much flash in it and it takes away from the shadow that I want in the picture. I was trying to take a picture of him sleeping with a little light coming through the window on his face but ever time I try to, it always comes out too noisy. I tried taking the picture with different ISO speeds and AP but the picture never comes out clear.

What can you guys recommend for me to be able to take a sharp, clear picture without much light? Such as this picture http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/346280217_54fab747b9.jpg?v=0
Taken from Trulip's flickr photos.

I always try to take pictures like that but it never ever comes out anywhere near as good as that. Do I need to get one of those lens to attach to the camera to use? What settings do you guys recommend? Thank you!

[sunnythepsychocat]

When you don't have a lot of light, there are only handful of things that you can do. Proper exposure means the right combination of aperture, shutter speed, and sensitivity of the film, which is ISO in this case. Manual mode means you control each part. I guess, you have to try different combinations.

Flash is an important factor to consider when it comes to low light conditions. You can adjust your flash compensation to make the picutre look like no flash was used.

If it comes to worst, you use any post processing software to fix the photos as long as the shot was in focus.

Hope this help.

[FLiPMaRC]

Hmm ... low light is very tricky just like SunnyPsychoCat said. Definitely need to use at least ISO 200. Use only 400 or 800 if you're not planning on getting prints bigger than 5x7". And with ISO 800, it will be very noisy.

I shot these last week at ISO 200, handheld with a monopod. The only PP is resize and sharpen with Infranview.

1/10s f/2.7
http://www.pbase.com/flipmarc/image/79330866/large.jpg

Zoomed in a bit ... 1/5s f/3.5
http://www.pbase.com/flipmarc/image/79289764/large.jpg

Full zoom @12x :D ... 1/10s f/3.5
http://www.pbase.com/flipmarc/image/79289765/large.jpg



Practice and experiment ;) But since you mentioned that you're trying to take pics of your son, these shutter speeds will be too slow. In order to use a higher shutter speed, you will also need to bump up the ISO. Try it and see if you can live with ISO400 or 800 :D

[Buktheng]

ISO 400 and 800 is out of the question, it looks horrible! :(

[mes444]

I don't have an answer but an idea. I was wondering if you have tried any of the modes available with the dial at the top of the camera. And even within the modes, in scene, there are multiple settings. I would think, tho I haven't tried them yet (just got the camera), that somewhere in all those settings a good low light one might be found.

Also, you can turn down the flash considerably by going into function and moving it lower.

[Buktheng]

The problem with lowering the flash is, when it takes the picture, you can't see anything at all.

[David Metsky]

The problem with lowering the flash is, when it takes the picture, you can't see anything at all.

He's talking about lowering the intensity of the flash, not turning it off. With the S3 you can adjust the intensity of the flash to not be as harsh. It allow you to add light without making it seem overblown. Check the owners manual on how to set it.

[guarana]

low light isn't easy but if you subject doesn't move, and you don't either, I should be allright;

-set the camera in Tv mode (time value)
-iso 200
-start with 0.3" exposure and make sure the camera doesnt move (use a table, tripod, look around to see what you can use to keep the camera still)
-get as close as possible to the subjet (less zooming = better because the camera can use a lower aperture which means the lens opens wider to let more light in)
-make sure IS (image stabilisation) is set to shoot only or continuous (its in the menus)

take a pic.. if its too dark up the exposure time until the camera picks enought light.

use 10 seconds just for fun; if this doesnt do it you'll need to add more light to the scene.

You can also try higher isos but the picture will be grainier

good luck! :)