Night photography with 300D

[Claire]

Hi,
Ok, I will most likely seem totally stupid, but I'm new at photography.

The other evening I went out to take some shots with my new 300D. I put it on Landscape, pressed the shutter half way. The image couldn't decide on the focus at times and when I pressed it all the way down it didn't take any picture.

Later it worked fine, but a while later again it did the same thing. I don't understand what's happening. It's most likely nothing wrong with the camera, but with me. :roll:

Someone please explain what I'm doing wrong!
Claire

[PacAce]

If I were to take a wild guess, I would say that during those times when you are having problems, the camera may be having difficulty focusing in on anything. To see if this is the case, set the lens to MF and focus the lens yourself.

[scottbergerphoto]

Leo is exactly right. In low light, if the camera can't acheive focus in AF you won't get a greeen focus lock light and the camera won't take the picture. You can:
1. Use MF or
2. Use a flashlight to lock focus and then turn off the light without letting your finger off the shutter button and then fire.
Regards,
Scott

[Guillermo Freige]

Another trick (at least in Creative modes) is pop the internal flash, to use it as an assist light, and close it before taking the picture. Exposure is recalculated to use only available light.

[Claire]

Thanks guys. I guess the camera just had trouble to focus on just about anything. I'll try using the flashlight tip next time. I'm such a novice when it comes to photography! :oops:

Claire