Tips for Indoor Shots Without Flash

[BigBlue]

Hello... I often have problems taking indoor pictures without using the flash. Even if I think that there is enough light to do so, almost all the time the photos come out significantly blurred.

I use the Canon PowerShot G2, and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for settings in order to increase the amount of light when the picture is taken, and help get a crisper shot like I normally get with the flash our outdoors.

Here's an example of a typical blurry indoor shot:

http://cannonboard.com/photos/files/normal/e8c_116_1660.jpg

Thanks!

[mttmrphy]

Without knowing what your settings were I cant tell for sure, but I am guessing this is motion blur. If there is not enough light to let you shoot 1/60 or faster then you should use a tripod. You could max the ISO and see if it helps but if nothing in the photo is moving I would slow my shutter speed to get the correct exposure instead.

[mttmrphy]

Taking a second look it could be your aperture is to wide. This would give a shallow DOF and some parts are just not within the focal area.

[Tom W]

Taking a second look it could be your aperture is to wide. This would give a shallow DOF and some parts are just not within the focal area.

That's not quite as big a problem on the smaller lens cameras like the G3 as it is on the DSLR cameras. DOF is much broader. Still, if its possible, get that f/stop closed up just a bit, but not at the expense of too slow a shutter. Low light is often a fight between shallow DOF and slow shutter speeds.

Get your ISO up all the way (you may need noise reduction afterwards, but noise is easier to deal with than camera shake-induced blur). Brace yourself and get your elbows against your body and use the viewfinder - this will provide a steadier platform from which to shoot. Holding the camera out from the body in these situations allows too much movement.

[BigBlue]

Thanks for the tips. I've already experimented with the ISO and that helps, but I think it's just a matter of holding the camera as still as possible and using the tripod more often as well.

[Andy_T]

You don't have to always use a tripod. You can also brace the camera.

For the shot you posted, I assume it might have been possible to put the camera on the floor and use self timer.

Best regards,
Andy

[Tom W]

You don't have to always use a tripod. You can also brace the camera.

For the shot you posted, I assume it might have been possible to put the camera on the floor and use self timer.

Best regards,
Andy

Or, if nobody is around, you can lay on the floor!

[Persian-Rice]

It might help to use a higher ISO setting. Another thing that might help is the proper handling of the camera.

Improper handling of the camera while taking a picture can create plenty of shake and cause blurring. Search that up on the board. Another thing I would suggest is to use the viewfinder rather then lcd screen. Take a deep breath, breath out half way, hold your breath and take the shot. It would also help to delay the shutter a little, reason being, when you press the shutter release, you actually move the camera. If you delay the shutter, you will have time to become as still as possible and wont have any shake from pressing the shutter button.

Cheers.

[Aylwin]

For me, tripod and timer was the only way to go with my old G. Being light and small, it was very difficult to hold steadily (unlike the good solid 10D, for example). Plus, I found it impractical to use ISO of more than 100 (so it was mostly at 50). I've reviewed my old photos and at 100% the noise levels at ISO 50 are more or less the same as the 10D at ISO 400.