newbie needs advice

[timwest222]

I have a Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
and shoot lots of concert photos
with no flash (usually not allowed)

I have been using the following settings
and could use any advice to do better...

settings
auto
continous shot
Large (10 MP, 3:2) Fine 4.0 MB
ISO 1600

here is a sample (reduced in size)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/timwest2/atu1.jpg



Should I swith the ISO ?
Should I switch to RAW+JPEG? or RAW?

any pointers would be great!

[tim11]

I don't see any exif so I can recommend if you should change ISO or not. However RAW is highly recommended since you can get more out of it when converting RAW, editing and then save to JPG. RAW or RAW+JPG? If you have a RAW viewer program I don't see the need for Raw+Jpg.

I wouldn't recommend Auto mode for such challenging lighting. You will get better result if you can use Aperture or Shutter mode. You can read the situation and use the controls to get better result the way you want, instead of letting the camera decides and hope for the best.

[timwest222]

thanks for the response

I tried experimenting tonight

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/timwest2/92.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/timwest2/993.jpg



seems like I am lost when not in auto mode

got quite a bit of blur tonight

I need to figure out what setting works best, and write it down!

[tim11]

Don't do manual modes until you understand what you are doing. Stick with whatever works for you. Do auto mode by any mean but if you really want to improve, get a book on photography and get a good understanding.
Later, let say in a gig, when you get enough shots on auto you can try your newly learned techniques (in the same session) - that's the way to improvement.
Great shots by the way.

[timwest222]

Thanks guys

I will hit the book store and do some serious reading

appreciate it

here are 2 of my favs

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/timwest2/MDNS1018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/timwest2/SP406.jpg




take care