tips for low light pictures...

[Alec006c]

I just bought a Canon S400, and was wondering if someone could give me some tips on how to set it to perform well in low light conditions...im going to use it at a concert it a few weeks and would like to get some good pictures out of it (i realize that point and shoot cameras aren't great for this type of thing...but im just trying to get it to take the best pics it can) i was thinking of trying to take pics at a high ISO, but was also curious about what can be done with the night time flash setting...any help would be appreciated.

[defordphoto]

Best way to find out is experiment before you get to the shoot. With a shoot like that high ISO is a gimme so you'll need some good software to help balance the noise. But, then you can always use the noise to your advantage and go after an artsy shot, flip it to black and white and use that grain to make the killer art shot.

Noise or no noise, getting the shot is what matters. You can always work with it later to adjust it for print/display. If that camera shoots RAW, shoot RAW.

[Alec006c]

thanks for the tips...would a flash have any effect when taking pictures some distance away from the stage...im assuming im not going to be in the front row and was wondering if at a distance a flash would even help...thanks

[defordphoto]

thanks for the tips...would a flash have any effect when taking pictures some distance away from the stage...im assuming im not going to be in the front row and was wondering if at a distance a flash would even help...thanks

The on-camera flash? I doubt it. They're usually pretty weak. The nice thing about digital: Try it. If it doesn't work, erase the file and try something else.

[Tom W]

A good deal of your exposure issues will depend on how well lit the stage is. The camera will get kind-of grainy or noisy at ASA-400. 200 is a little noisy, but not too bad. If you can keep it at 200, you should have relatively grain-free pictures, depending on the available light.

The flash on the S-400 isn't all that powerful, and probably wouldn't help at all over 15-20 feet (which is already technically out of its range).

Your shutter speed is likely to be rather slow so you need to make sure that you hold the camera steady and have a good solid stance. In low light, I recommend using the viewfinder rather than the LCD to frame the picture. This way, your head can help steady the camera and you can keep your elbows in tight against your body, further adding to stability.

A tripod would be great, but I suspect that isn't possible under the circumstances.

[nosquare2003]

It's sometimes difficult to shoot even with a DSLR + slow lens in a concert. A monopod is more suitable than a tripod in such situation. (Otherwise, use a tripod as a monopod...)

Don't bother the noise. Get the pictures. RFMSports have good advice of B&W (with grains / noise).

I have no ideas if S400 focus well in low light condition. Perhaps you need to point to something with a contrast to help the autofocus.

[Alec006c]

Thanks for all the tips...i really appreciate it...i fooled around with the camera in low light last night...so hopefully i can get some decent shots...i figure if my old 35mm point and shoot cam can pull of ok pictures at a concert the new s400 should be able to perform just as well...

[Tom W]

It's sometimes difficult to shoot even with a DSLR + slow lens in a concert. A monopod is more suitable than a tripod in such situation. (Otherwise, use a tripod as a monopod...)

Don't bother the noise. Get the pictures. RFMSports have good advice of B&W (with grains / noise).

I have no ideas if S400 focus well in low light condition. Perhaps you need to point to something with a contrast to help the autofocus.

It does have a focus-assist light, though that may not be useful at longer (20-foot+) range. You can also set the camera to lock at infinity if you are a pretty good distance from the subject. Check the manual, as I don't know how far "infinity" is, or at least how far out you can go and still get acceptable quality.

I don't know if you'll be able to deal with a tri- or mono- pod. I guess that depends on the crowd and its behavior. If not, you will want a good stance. Here's a good way of holding the S-400 - Not my original idea, but I found this technique elsewhere on the net.

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/SolidStance.jpg

Its not my best picture, but it shows how I grip the S-400 when I'm dealing with low light/slow shutter. This photo was taken at 1/25 sec. with available bathroom light (at f-3.5). Its not perfect, but I took it only to show the technique that I've learned with the little camera. Notice that I've kept the elbows in tight to prevent my upper torso from swaying (well, as much as possible anyway). I also use the viewfinder in low-light situations, even with flash - 1/60 will show camera shake if you try to hold the camera out and use the LCD instead as below:

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/NotSolidStance.jpg

Notice that I'm holding the camera out away from my body. I'm using the LCD instead of the viewfinder. This is fine when light is plentiful, but it does introduce an additional amount of camera shake/movement into the picture.

Please ignore the crooked picture behind me. :D

[nosquare2003]

Hi Tom W

Thanks. I will remember this method to hold this kind of small camera (I don't have one though). (In fact, similar method can be used in bigger camera.)

[Alec006c]

just wanted to thank everyone for the tips...i appreciate the time you guys took to help me out