Question about aperture and low light

[burners]

I understand that a lens with a larger aperture (i.e 2.8) lets in more light. This allows the photographer to use a faster shutter speed in lower light conditions. This is of course better for avoiding movement blur.

What I would like explained though please is this: If you want to shoot a moving subject in low and set a wide aperture, dont you then get a shallow depth of field? How do you take a photo of something that moves (allbeit slightly) in low light with a deep depth of field?

All the above is under the presumption that you dont want to use a flash of course.

Thanks in advance for the help

[JaertX]

Yes, a large aperture gives you a more shallow dof than a small one.

Focus becomes more critical with a large aperture...so you have to focus more accurately or stop down.

[Curtis N]

I think you have discovered one of the classic conundrums of photography - There is no substitute for light, and in low light situations, every exposure is a compromise. Long shutter speeds, wide apertures, and high ISO settings all have their potential drawbacks.

Only experience can teach you how to arrive at the best combination of settings to create the best image quality in a given situation. There is never a single right answer.

That said, the superior high ISO capabilities of modern digital SLRs can be a godsend to people who shoot indoor sports, perferming arts, and other dynamic, low light situations.

[RossW]

One other factor in depth of focus is the focal length of the lens. A shorter lens will have a greater DOF than a long lens, all other things being equal. So if you can, use as wide-angle a lens as you can, and find the sweetest spot for DOF that works for the framing you want.

[tim]

Yep, you understand the problem, and there's no easy solution. Adding light (ie flash) is one way, but it's not always practical. Use a higher ISO, that'll help a fair bit.