Help-Setting for Low Light Condition?

[BudMan]

Hi Folks, I'm new here and a brand new rookie, first time Digital Camera owner. A G2. Never used a camera in any other mode but AUTO. I will learn. Right now I need a specific bit of guidance from a kind soul. I will be attending My Company (Anheuser-Busch Inc.) Christmas Party on Saturday. It will be kind of low light conditions. A live band with some lighting. Drinking and dancing. I will want to be bacically in automatic but if my photos seem not to catch what is taking place over the shoulders of a portrait of a co-worker? I would like to know what to tweak in the Auto made if possible. Any suggestions?

[Mike K]

Try the P mode, the main advantage is that most of the camera adjustments are available in P but not in Auto. You will have to turn on the flash (when it is dark) by pressing the flash button in P mode, it will not go on automatically. One nice feature in P mode is program shift, you can choose one of 5 different exposure settings to emphasize depth of field (larger apeture values) to capture movement better (faster shutter speeds). Practice with the controls before you go, or you will really have a hard time of it at the party.
Mike K

[Wildman]

Consider shooting your pictures in the RAW mode. The resulting files will be larger than JPGs, but you'll have a lot more control over white balance etc. after the party is over. You can't select RAW file format or ISO in the automatic mode. I have taken some pretty good pictures inside without a flash by increasing the ISO setting in the RAW format then converting the files with Zoom Browser. Take a bunch of pix at home before the party.

[BudMan]

NM