Need beginner help on exposure

Hi
I a beginner to photography and bought a T2i with 50mm 1.8 II.
As you can see from my indoor shots below, the pictures seem either too dark with no flash or too bright with the flash. Any tips on getting the right exposure?
Would I do much better with an external flash?
Thanks

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mattchapman wrote in post #11021997
Hi
I a beginner to photography and bought a T2i with 50mm 1.8 II.
As you can see from my indoor shots below, the pictures seem either too dark with no flash or too bright with the flash. Any tips on getting the right exposure?
Would I do much better with an external flash?
Thanks


Manual setting F5 1/125 ISO2500 No Flash


Auto setting F2.5 1/60 ISO200 No Flash


Portrait mode F4 1/60 ISO400 Flash


Portrait mode F4 1/60 ISO400 Flash

Thanks

HI

if you want to use flash
Reduce Flash Power with Flash Exposure compensation (-1 or -1and 1/3 stop)

Read More About Metering System
Specially Center weighted and spot

navid7h wrote in post #11022039
HI

if you want to use flash
Reduce Flash Power with Flash Exposure compensation (-1 or -1and 1/3 stop)

^this ... also dont be afraid to put masking tape on your flash , it will reduce the harsh white glow in pictures and a bit of temperature to the picture. I would have brought my speed down to 1/60 or 1/80 instead of using 1/125

for the no flash shots, i would check your exposure compensation in the built in exposure (light) meter, make sure its centered or maybe even +1 or +2

seems like both are dark, even in auto

Eventually, you might find yourself wanting that a hot-shoe flash or off-camera flash for better directional control of your light. In the meantime while you are learning, you can use tissue paper or translucent piece of plastic over the flash to diffuse and soften the harsh flash.

To learn what the settings on your camera do, go into AV mode and chose an aperture say around 5.6 and ISO around 800 or so and shoot a particular item in your home. Start with the flash set at -0- and see what you get. Then bump it up to the + side with series of photos, and down to the - side and see the results. Then, go back to -0- flash compensation, but then bump up or down your exposure compensation to see the effect you get with the flash triggered as well. You will take a lot of photos on this session, but will learn quickly in one setting what your flash and exposure compensation are doing in a particular environment.

Great thanks for the tips guys...

That's a good start on finding the right exposure, but why use Auto WB when you've taken the trouble to use other manual settings? Notice that the very last exposure in the 2nd image of tests was of a gray card, & it's way off.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=54281

If you're going to use manual exposure (which I do all the time), try this sometime: Need an exposure crutch?

And if you have to use the on-camera flash, try putting a piece of tinfoil over 1/2 the flash to direct some light to the side. Then have your wife hold a piece of 30"X40" white board off to the other side of the baby to bounce some side light into the face.