Yakitori. Exposure, WB. C&C please

[smoky_blue]

I recently went to Japan. My finance and I focused on sake breweries and sake bars. We had a wonderful experience that was marred by the fact that my point and shoot camera was simply not up to the task of capturing the beautiful old breweries and interesting sake bars, both of which are typically low light environments. I decided to not make that mistake again, invested in some equipment and am now on my learning curve. I'd like some c&c on this photo.

At the moment I'm trying to nail down the technical aspects of taking good photos in low light situations such as bars and restaurants. Proper exposure--or correcting in LR if necessary, minimizing noise, maximizing sharpness. I'm using lightroom for PP. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Taken with Canon 50D, 17-55
1/40 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 1600 (wondering why flickr strips all the metadata...)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4125319120_f0d3a9f1e3.jpg



MOD EDIT: You are most welcome to POTN! Please note the Image Posting Rules (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=194511): Image must fit in 1024 pixels by 1024 pixels box.
Thank you mod. I was aware of the image size rule. I thought I linked to the smaller size!

[Robert_Lay]

General guidelines for low-light-level shooting:
a) Expose To The Right (also known as ETTR) is known hereabouts as the guiding rule, and it means that you should expose to get the highlights as close as possible to a value of 255 without going beyond. In other words, if your Highlight Alert on the camera is not flashing anywhere, then you are not clipping. Get as close to that as you can without clipping.
b) By virtue of ETTR, the noise level in the image will be minimized, so you can bump up the ISO to get a shutter speed that is more comfortable for hand-held.
c) Use IS lenses insofar as possible. The relative order of importance between (b) and (c) is debatable.
d) Use noise reducing software to reduce noise even further - it is cost effective and works well when you use ETTR.

Caution: ETTR has its supporters, but I have some problems with it. In my opinion, the transfer characteristic of digital cameras often has such an abrupt shoulder that the highlights are going to be without detail even when kept below the clipping level. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not the lack of detail in the highlights is a problem with your system.

[LeuceDeuce]

The key to exposing to the right is that it only works if you shoot RAW, and bring the exposure back to where it should be in your RAW converter before exporting to JPEG. If you expose to the right with JPEG you're not gaining any extra information, and will get posterization in the highlights if you try to lower the exposure of the JPEG.

You'll also get a more accurate histogram if you shoot using the Neutral Picture Profile. While the profile won't matter if you're shooting RAW, it is what determines what you see on the LCD after a shot.

[smoky_blue]

Thank you both for the input and the welcome!

I believe I exposed as far to the right as possible -- the cook's hat and the reflections just started to blow out. So far, I'm pretty happy with the EF-S 17-55 IS USM lens for the low light. Just trying to maximize the quality I can get out of it.

One thing I don't like about the photo as far as the composition is concerned is I probably should have shot it a little lower so the can is at camera level.

[DragonDan]

I think the shot was okay. Maybe a little ceramic shot glass or something to place the can in context even more. It might have been nicer with a plate of sushi next to it.
If you're just starting into DSLR photography and this is your example, you are on the right track!
One good technique is stabilizing the camera as well as possible, so you can minimize camera shake. Prop your elbows into your chest/ belly to steady your arms. If you've ever shot a rifle/ handgun properly before, the shutter control is the same thing. I release the shutter softly, halfway through the exhale. Works pretty well on slower shutter speeds. If you jab the shutter button, you are introducing more camera shake.