S2 Indoor Portrait Tips

[Pretty3Horses]

Hi all,

What settings would you typically use for indoor portaits? I need a setting for indoor lighting at nightime, basically just light from inside the house (lamp, etc) and I'm looking to get a soft, warm natural skin tone with crisp color, without excessive shineyness. So, I'm curious what settings I need to use for: Exposure, Flash, Aperture, ISO.. etc.

I've been using Av, and P mode. Some of my pics have turned out a tad blurry, or not as warm/soft as I'd like.

Suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!

[sando]

If they're blurry then I'd suggest using a higher SS - maybe 1/250 minimum for handheld. Take them in Shutter Priority and it'll meter the light for the aperture.

Set WB to manual and det that correctly.

take lots in different modes then go through them looking at the EXIF to judge what works and what doesnt, that's the best way to learn. Practice makes perfect!

[Pretty3Horses]

I'm super new to this!

What do you mean by SS?

Shutter priority?

And EXIF?

[Diminished29]

Hold on just like 5mins I have a post that I made up thats VERY detailed, let me get it real quick.

EDIT: Here, ya go, just scoll down and you'll see it: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=179635

[sando]

SS = shutter speed

Shutter priority = the photography mode (on the dial at the top of the camera) where you select the shutter speed you want and the camera automatically adjusts everything to suit that speed. Very handy.

EXIF = the properties of the image. When you right click on a picture, then select properties tab, the select advanced. This gives you all the info stored by the camera when the shot was taken like SS, aperture, whether the flash was used etc...

[RossW]

Hold on just like 5mins I have a post that I made up thats VERY detailed, let me get it real quick.

EDIT: Here, ya go, just scoll down and you'll see it: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=179635

Diminished, I applaud you for putting together the detailed information, and I commend you for the great photos you've taken and shared on the forums... but sometimes a person just wants to have fun and take a few simple pictures. ;) I'd never discourage anyone who wants to really learn how to adjust their camera for all situations; however, sometimes simple is better.

Pretty3, I suggest just sticking the camera on SCN (Scene) mode and choose the "Indoor" snapshot scene. No muss, no fuss. It sets the camera to a white balance appropriate for incandescent lighting, and does all it can to give you a decent chance of a good picture. You'll need to be pretty steady, as the shutter speed will be rather slow, and the aperture wide, but it works. Don't use flash if you want to maintain the "soft, warm, natural" look. If you decide you do need to use flash after all, try the "Night Snapshot" scene setting... or just the auto mode on the dial.

[Pretty3Horses]

Diminished, thanks for the link to those tips. It's very helpful, I'd like to play with my settings and see what I can come up with and that sort of gives me a direction.

Ross, thanks, I have tried the SCN mode, but I'm not *that* fond of it... I don't know if it has more to offer, or what, but so far my favorite modes for indoors have been P and Av, and all the different ways I can adjust it depending on what I want. Simple IS better sometimes, but unfortunatly, the simple settings aren't getting me what I WANT, go figure. Ahhh the days when I was happy with Auto LOL

To anyone, I do have one other question regarding indoor portraits. Lately I have used Av mode for portaits, Exp at 0, I turn down the flash by a couple notches, and then since I just recently found out how to manipulate the saturation/contrast, I have both up high, and sharpness at the middle notch. It seems the saturation is providing the reddish/warm glow I'm wanting (if there is another way to do this, let me know) The lighting is minimal, just a soft lamp light. I'm *almost* getting what I want, soft warm hues, natural skintone, some crispness (I may need a bit of improvement, but its close).. but I am still unsure of with those settings, how far to position myself/the subject from the camera with the flash on, to keep from getting that blast of shineyness from the flash.

Any suggestions? Thanks all

[RossW]

OK, you've clearly taken the leap to experiment when the auto settings aren't doing quite what you want... congratulations! So I'm going to suggest another path to take in your indoor portrait adventures.

The blast of shineyness -- good description -- is probably caused mostly because of the very small and intense light source (the flash) positioned very near the lens. I'm going to suggest that you experiment with different things that will diffuse that pinpoint of light a bit. People have tried all sorts of odd household things to do this, and of course there are commercial diffusers to be had -- but perhaps none that are made for our cameras, unfortunately. But try a small plastic container (sort of frosted, like Rubbermaid or Tupperware), or part of a plastic milk container over the flash. Or hold a 6" square of wax paper a few inches in front of the flash. Maybe a white foam cup. You might even try a layer or two of Scotch "Magic" tape on the flash... anything to spread the light out to minimize the hotspot it causes. Obviously some things will be easier to use without a tripod, and some things may give the light a bit of color of its own, but that's why you need to experiment with different things! I put a small sheet of theatrical lighting diffussion material over my flash, and it really helps. In a pinch once for a nighttime macro shot, I even used a white plastic bag from the grocery store! (Yes, it worked to diffuse and dramatically cut back on the light for the close-up!) Be creative, and have some fun.