Very new... Need help with camera shake/blurry pics

I just bought the G6 a couple of months ago to learn with and take pics of my 9 month old son. I always have a problem with camera shake and bluriness. I don't want to use the flash, so when I turn it to P to take the flash off, I always get blurry pics. I tried it again this morning in my light kitchen where there should have been more than enough light. I have it set on 400 ISO. I'm not sure what to do. Can you please help me. I saw someone said to set it to Av and shoot, but what's the difference between Av and P?

I'm tired of using Auto, but nothing comes out right when I try to venture out. I've looked into classes, but they're either too easy... (this is the lens, this is the zoom) or too hard! Any info would be great.

probally could increase the shutter speed or get a tripod.

Av = you set the apature P= camera sets both apature and shutter speed. I don't know if that camera has TV, but if it does, then set it there and set your shutter speed to aroud 200-250 of a second, if there is enough light, if there isn't enough light, then use a tripod or the flash, or try to brace youself so the camera doesn't move.

Thanks,

I was using a tripod!!!!! That's what is so darn frustrating. I know there was more than enough light in that kitchen, that's why I picked it. The camera shake icon comes on even when I use the tripod.

I'll try the Tv mode. Still, any more help is welcome.

Basically, indoors, if the youngster is moving, you may not be able to set the shutter speed fast enough, and still get a good exposure. I think extra lights is a good answer...some type of outdoor flood light (if you don't want to spend money), or those hardware quartz halogen shop light jobbies. I say go ahead and use the flash, or buy a better one that can swivel and bounce to fix glare....lots of threads on this site recommend certain canon flashes. look around. The lens just isn't fast enough for indoor lighting with movement shots without extra light. Just my opinion.

Ray

ND filter is off ? How about focal length, try the shortest possible and move closer to your subject. Finally you may need to experiment with the different light metering modes, that is if it is shake that is causing the problem. You sure it is not a DOF issue with low light focusing ??

I'm glad you're trying to help, but I'm quite new at the prosumer camera thing. Are you talking about f stops? Any way to tell me how to do that?

Thanks so much

Try reducing your ISO speed to 50 or 100 max to reduce the noise. Shoot in automatic to get those "moments". Play around in manual on some down times until you get more comfortable with what stuff does. If you can mount your camera on a tripod that will cut down on the shake and blur. You can use your tripod handle to pan around and your remote to click the shot.

Hello mint20_00, Welcome to the board.
The camera shake icon will come on because a slower shutter speed was chosen by the camera than is normally hand holdable to get proper exposure. The icon will still be on even though the camera is on the tripod since there is no interface between camera and tripod.
If you're shooting indoors using existing light(no flash), you should actually move your ISO to a higher setting, ie; 400 as opposed to 50 or 100. The downside to this approach is you'll get grainier photos, but they can be cleaned up with a program like "Neat Image".
Also, if you know ahead of time you're going to shoot indoors, open some curtains to get more light into the room.
Is it possible for you to post one of these photos along with the settings used? This would help us to understand your problem better.
-Bruce

Bruce,

Thanks for your time. I will try some hopefully tomorrow if school is closed due to a snow day. I really appreciate you trying to help, it's really hard to find help!!!! How do I know what the settings are? Do I have to search through the setting and write them down, or can I get a screen or something that will have them all for me? I have elements 3, so maybe I can get all the info if i put it into the program?

Thanks

Shannon

Hi Shannon

Sorry if my previous answer was not helpful. I don't think your consistant fuzziness problem is primarily from camera shake given the kitchen example you refer to. I believe it is Depth of Field (DOF). When you totally zoom-in (ie your focal distance is 28.8mm) and your aperature (f-stop is open - because you have your flash off so say it is around f3.2) Your total DOF is only 0.36ft. Say you are trying to focus on a subject 5 feet away only things between 4.82 to 5.19 feet will be in sharp focus. If however you zoom-out all the way (focal distance 7.2mm, with your subject still 5 feet away and aperature still at f3.2) now everything between 3.14 and 12.2 feet will be in relatively sharp focus. This link may help.

http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

shannon.. this is not an insult at all but this is a great advice for you and everyone else who didn't know.
read the manual that came with the camera. it has the answer to your questions. if you are still confused. you can come back and ask here. the answers you will seem more familiar with because you will have had some prior knowledge by reading the manual.


okay, so if you already have read the manual and are still confused.
set the camera to at LEAST iso200 or less. then choose the TV mode(choose 1/80 1/100 or 1/125 of a second). that should be more than enough speed to catch your son moving around.
good luck and show us your results.

pushtoexit wrote:
Hi Shannon

Sorry if my previous answer was not helpful. I don't think your consistant fuzziness problem is primarily from camera shake given the kitchen example you refer to. I believe it is Depth of Field (DOF). When you totally zoom-in (ie your focal distance is 28.8mm) and your aperature (f-stop is open - because you have your flash off so say it is around f3.2) Your total DOF is only 0.36ft. Say you are trying to focus on a subject 5 feet away only things between 4.82 to 5.19 feet will be in sharp focus. If however you zoom-out all the way (focal distance 7.2mm, with your subject still 5 feet away and aperature still at f3.2) now everything between 3.14 and 12.2 feet will be in relatively sharp focus. This link may help.

http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

So what you're saying is I can't be zoomed in all the way and still be 4 feet away. I have to have no zoom and be closer?

Yes, I am suggesting you don't zoom, and move closer if you are trying to shoot indoors without flash.

I have read the manual, but it's kind of the chicken and the egg kinda thing. It's hard to know exactly how to use it even if you're read the manual if you don't know what it means. I am trying to learn and read books though, but I consider that a pretty hard way to learn.