Poor Lighting Conditions Where You Can't Use A Flash - Tips Requested

Hammer · 23rd February 2008, 3:48pm

I was out for a wander with the camera the other day, and decided to see what interesting things I could find to take pictures of at the Transport Museum. I ended up having quite a lot of difficulty taking successful pictures there due to the combination of poor lighting conditions (they have those Sodium-Arc lamps that give everything a sickly yellow glow) - using a flash would probably have helped, but that tended to give shots like this:

With the white balance set to cancel out the yellowy-orange light and no flash, I ended up with this (this is also a bit out of focus):

So, is there anything I can do that will give a better out come then the above in the described conditions?

Also, has anyone had any experience taking photos at exhibitions in the SECC and know what would be the ideal settings to use there?

Hammer · 24th February 2008, 8:31am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Also, has anyone had any experience taking photos at exhibitions in the SECC and know what would be the ideal settings to use there?

Bump - particularly with regard to this query.

Fremlin · 24th February 2008, 10:32am

First of all I would shoot in RAW if you can't get the white balance right. This would allow you to adjust it later. As far as the low light is concerned you can basically up your ISO (although this will make your pictures a little more grainy). You can set you aperture lower, although this will lower your depth of field. Also you can set a lower shutter speed which in turn may make your pictures blurry which leads me on to. Use a tripod. It's pretty much a balance of all these things to get the right quality.

0x21 · 24th February 2008, 11:10am

I didn't think they allowed you to use flash in the transport museum? due to the light making old faded things fade worse?

all you can do is increase the light coming through the lens (wider aperature, longer shutter) or upping the ISO.

But each has its problems, so its all about compromise. In this case I'd agree with Fremlin, and using a tripod* would be the best option.

*or a monopod, if you don't fancy carrying a tripod around

**Shannow** · 24th February 2008, 11:31am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Bump - particularly with regard to this query.

You neglect to mention what camera you're using, but if it has a manual white balance setting, that's always te best to go for .

As for the other part of your query, a faster lens (Mikon and Canon bot have fantastic 1.8 50mm primes that cost pennies) and ramp up the ISO.
Shooting in RAW is also a good tip as you can upthe exposure in post processing a helluvalot more than jpg will let you away with.

Hammer · 24th February 2008, 5:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremlin

First of all I would shoot in RAW if you can't get the white balance right.

The Camera is a point and shoot consumer affair. I'm not sure it can shoot in RAW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremlin

This would allow you to adjust it later. As far as the low light is concerned you can basically up your ISO (although this will make your pictures a little more grainy). You can set you aperture lower, although this will lower your depth of field. Also you can set a lower shutter speed which in turn may make your pictures blurry which leads me on to. Use a tripod. It's pretty much a balance of all these things to get the right quality.

This was pretty much what I was doing today, sans tripod. I did end up wishing I had a tripod with me though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0x21

I didn't think they allowed you to use flash in the transport museum? due to the light making old faded things fade worse?

When you talking about steam trains, I'm not sure that they worry too much. I didn't see any signs anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannow

You neglect to mention what camera you're using, but if it has a manual white balance setting, that's always te best to go for .

It's a Panasonic DMC-TZ3. With manuel white balance, which I nearly always use.
Against my better judgement. It was my girlfriend's Christmas present, so I wasn't going to argue too much about the brand. I'd have much preferred an Olympus.
in the Panasonic's defense, it has amazing optical zoom for a point and shoot camera. Lack of viewfiender annoys me though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannow

As for the other part of your query, a faster lens (Mikon and Canon bot have fantastic 1.8 50mm primes that cost pennies) and ramp up the ISO.
Shooting in RAW is also a good tip as you can upthe exposure in post processing a helluvalot more than jpg will let you away with.

Wish I could replace the lens. If I get a job soon, I'm planning on getting an entry level DSLR (Maybe the Olymus E-410 or 510), because TBH, fixed lens annoy me. Lots.
Especially as I have three dammed good lens sitting with my 35mm SLR, being chronically underused.

0x21 · 24th February 2008, 8:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

When you talking about steam trains, I'm not sure that they worry too much. I didn't see any signs anyway.

I think it applys more to the cars, I'm sure theres a sign there and a mention on the website, no idea if applys to the trains

Quote:

Wish I could replace the lens. If I get a job soon, I'm planning on getting an entry level DSLR (Maybe the Olymus E-410 or 510), because TBH, fixed lens annoy me. Lots.
Especially as I have three dammed good lens sitting with my 35mm SLR, being chronically underused.

What 35mm have you got? the Olympus OM range film cameras don't have compatible lenses with the Olympus digitals (or I'd have one instead of a Canon).

Hammer · 24th February 2008, 8:52pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0x21

What 35mm have you got? the Olympus OM range film cameras don't have compatible lenses with the Olympus digitals (or I'd have one instead of a Canon).

I know that. Can't remember the SLR model, but I might be prepared to sell off a couple of the lenses to fund a couple of equivalent 3/4 lenses.
Olympus and Fuji also make adapters for lenses. I'd have to investigate whether or not mine are compatible with any of the adapters.

fallen_nemesis · 25th February 2008, 1:56am

prime lenses are awesome...once you get past the whole having for walk back and forward a lot instead of adjusting your lens.

I'd also second the shooting in RAW if possible. They may be a lot bigger files, but it's amazing some of the shots that can be salvaged, especially as you can change the white balance after taking the shot. Particularly great if you have photochop

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