What settings should I use for taking indoor low-light pictu

[cathy123]

Example: I was trying to take a family portrait in front of our Christmas tree. I tried using auto mode/auto flash, made it too bright. I then tried using manual mode, with the low light flash, set ISO speed to auto, but the pictures came out too dark. Should I just manually set the ISO speed to 100 when taking indoor low-light shots?

[Jacques]

cathy123 wrote:
Example: I was trying to take a family portrait in front of our Christmas tree. I tried using auto mode/auto flash, made it too bright. I then tried using manual mode, with the low light flash, set ISO speed to auto, but the pictures came out too dark. Should I just manually set the ISO speed to 100 when taking indoor low-light shots?


Use the Exposure Compensation and dont take the pics to close, rather zoom in. Dont use a too high ISO as the noise in the pic are higher with a high ISO setting. Make sure that there are enough light in the room. Try using the fill flash as well if your cam have that fasility.

Jacques
Cape Town
Beginner

[JohnMN]

I've tried using the exposure compensation but I'm afraid it doesn't do anything. I don't think there are enough steps in it to fix indoor lighting. I own a Powershot A40 and I found over Christmas that the flash can light a room measuring 15 feet by 15 feet even with me standing in another corner, I had no idea the flash was so powerful on this camera. How many people were you taking pictures of? The previous contributor is correct in saying switch on all lights in the room or if it is daytime, open the curtains (drapes) and let daylight in. This may cause problems with the white balance but you can change the settings on the camera for that.

JohnMN

[Leighow]

I own a G2, but a quick check on the web suggests that the A40 has manual control. If that is the case, take a minute to look over the exposue slide rule settings that I describe in another post (re-quoted here):....

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"...I would like to touch on your "Xmas lights" question be for I head close for the day.Please refer to the "slide rules" that I posted at : http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1835#8153. This will you give you a fast feel for the range of controls to consider. .."

You need a critical amount of light on the CCD, and that will be a function of Aperature setting .. Shutter Speed... Film Speed....subject light intensity (and a solid camera footing).Try a few settings. You may not win a contest, but you will get you past GO.

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I will not get into the G2 settings as I am not sure if similar resources are available on the A40

HOWIE