Help with settings in situation

[Myboostedgst]

You may have read that I have been having problems getting decent pictures at the skatepark. I took some more pictures tonight and they are complete garbage. I am starting to think that my only option is a few external flashes setup on tripods around the area I want to shoot. Both were shot using Shutter Priority. This is of course the kit lens with no flash. Any advice for a novice? A few examples...



f/5
1/100sec
Exposure Bias: +3
38mm Focal Length
Max Aperture: 4.7
Spot Metering
ISO HI-1



This picture was just of the park itself, but the quality was MUCH better. Unfortunately, with this slow of a shutter speed, the people would turn out blurry.

f/3.5
1/60sec
Exposure: +3
18mm Focal Length
Max Aperture: 3.6
ISO 1600

[tim11]

What lens did you use? and what camera?
The light is not enough, that's basically the problem you face. And boosting EV to + will only make shutter go slower. A faster lens will improve it which is why we need to know what gear you have.

[Myboostedgst]

This is of course the kit lens with no flash.

Nikon D3000

[r3g]

You need a flash. Thats the only thing thats gonna help you in a place like that. A faster lens of say f/2.8 or better would give you "better" results than what your getting but a flash will give you the best quality image. Check out an SB-600, they are pretty affordable now a days. At the distance your shooting from you wont need to put them on a stand or anything, the hot shoe will do.

[jcon]

I completely agree with r3g. Although, if you are going to use the flash on camera.. Id suggest getting a flash bracket so you dont have shadow problems. The cheaper alternative would be a light stand, which can be had for $30. Look into a used SB-800. It can be used remotely, which the 600 cannot.

[r3g]

The 800 has an IR sensor?

[fionndruinne]

Get a 50mm f/1.4 AF-S

[DiamondSCattleCo]

In addition to the faster lens and flash, you may also need to underexpose a bit to speed up your shutter. Then you can brighten the image up in post.

[Screenclutter]

Get a 50mm f/1.4 AF-S

This and flash would really work well together

I'd use manual, set the shutter speed to 1/200, and play around with the aperture to see what depth of field you are comfortable with

Looks like there is too much ambient light to consider a slow shutter speed

There is a bit of a green cast in your photos, is this the colour of the lights? You may want to look into flash gels after you sucessfully manage to freeze movement.

[r3g]

In addition to the faster lens and flash, you may also need to underexpose a bit to speed up your shutter. Then you can brighten the image up in post.

I don't think he will need to underexpose at all. Take the bike picture for example. At that distance an SB-600/800 would have more than enough power to properly exposure the subject at shutter speeds of over 1/400.

I would also recommend throwing some sort of diffuser on the flash too to soften the light a bit.