[Kamui712]

Very Very Amateur photographer here. Previously had really poor, blurry pictures in dim lighting, I thought that the reason was my lens 50-200mm lens. So here at dinner I'm using a 50mm 1.8f prime on a Canon XTi.

Apperature is at 1.8, iso 1600. Pictures are clear, yet the color is dull, and rather dark. What can I do to get some nice vivid colors?

*ignore the bad framing and everything, I would just like to know how to get some good lighting and colors going.

Your input is appreciated!

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/marco712/IMG_2117.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/marco712/IMG_2130.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/marco712/IMG_2151.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/marco712/IMG_2192.jpg

[Senna4ever]

You need to set your white balance to whatever the light in the restaurant is - probably tungsten. If you shot these in RAW, then you can go back and change it.

[Hehe]

^
Werd~ RAW is your best friend and memory cards are dirt cheap these days.

Regarding the shots, pics need more purpose and be more playful with lights. Photography is an art of light capture. Purpose as the main thing you want to describe in the shot.

Last but not least, google "photography composition" and play around with them.

[Dangerphoto]

You need to set your white balance to whatever the light in the restaurant is - probably tungsten. If you shot these in RAW, then you can go back and change it.

Question: Just RAW or RAW + L ....which is better?

[hud 91gt]

I beleive the RAW + L will take a Jpeg as well as a RAW image...

[Hehe]

I shoot RAW only. You would want to output your own RAW-->JPG anyway. Softwares offer better conversion than in-camera.

[keitaro]

shooting with such a high ISO will cause noise. Its not as noticeable on your smaller images. Getting a flash and bouncing it would improve your image. It would also solve your blurry images in dim lighting.

[CP.AR]

shooting with such a high ISO will cause noise. Its not as noticeable on your smaller images. Getting a flash and bouncing it would improve your image. It would also solve your blurry images in dim lighting.

Agreed, especially with the XTi's Digic 2 processor, ISO 1600 should only be a last resort

[keitaro]

If you do shoot JPEG and feel that you don't want to use RAW, you can use adobe photoshop lightroom to adjust your white balance, exposure, saturation, etc. Just a little post processing can improve an image. Just don't over do it.

If your going to shoot raw, your going to have to spend more time post processing in lightroom/bridge/photoshop. In the end, you get more flexibility and quality in an image. I personally shoot strictly in RAW only.

[$_$]

Haha.... I hear all the pros shoot in only RAW...

[keitaro]

^ if your serious about photography, raw is the best option and choice.

here is a good article on why raw is better
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/camera-raw.shtml

[Levitron]

Very Very Amateur photographer here. Previously had really poor, blurry pictures in dim lighting, I thought that the reason was my lens 50-200mm lens. So here at dinner I'm using a 50mm 1.8f prime on a Canon XTi.

Apperature is at 1.8, iso 1600. Pictures are clear, yet the color is dull, and rather dark. What can I do to get some nice vivid colors?

*ignore the bad framing and everything, I would just like to know how to get some good lighting and colors going.

Your input is appreciated!


To answer your question, the best thing to keep in mind for your pictures is the fact that without good lighting, you simply aren't going to get "nice vivid colors".

Your picture will only be as good as the light that touches your sensor...and the light that exists in a dimly lit restaurant is not enough to make those vivid colors fly out at you.

[vietfx]

Invest into a hotshoe flash

[Kamui712]

thanks for all the replies guys, I did some tests in shooting jpeg vs raw and there is definitely more flexibility and higher quality with RAW.

regarding flash and lighting, what are your feelings around using those ebay diffusers for the on-camera flash?

Hot shoe flashes tend to be a little bigger than my liking

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/73000624/Images/28/CAM-MIS003_a.jpg
http://trade.skyhillhk.com/flash_diff10_02_f.jpg
http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/gamerlined66/HI-pop.jpg

[Senna4ever]

^^ Those will help a bit, but because the original light source is so small, there are only very limited things that can be done.

[Hehe]

Yeah, invest in a small and cheap flash. In Nikon, we have a SB400. I carry it around with my D700. It's better than in camera flash and gets a lot of thing done without the bulky-ness.

Canon I think they have a 2x0-EX flash?

[keitaro]

^Canon has the 430EX II as an entry level flash. the 580EX II Prosumer model.

[hoking]

^Canon has the 430EX II as an entry level flash. the 580EX II Prosumer model.

^ he mentioned he doesn't want to lug around even something like the 430ex II

smaller option would be the 270ex

http://media.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Pic/Canon-270EX-Speedlite-Flash.jpg

[77civic1200]

^entry level is the 270EX as he was saying:

http://www.bccamera.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_18&products_id=3505

[keitaro]

^ yea i just realized that now. you can't really call it a useful flash. It produces the same power as your on-board pop-up flash.

the minimum that should be bought is the 430.

[ecchiecchi]

^ Can you even change the angle of the 270EX?

Might as well invest in a 480EX. =]

[hoking]

^ yea i just realized that now. you can't really call it a useful flash. It produces the same power as your on-board pop-up flash.

the minimum that should be bought is the 430.

not really, the 270 has wider coverage and longer distance then a regular pop-up flash,.. and it does have the bounce flash ability

[77civic1200]

XTi flash has a guide number of 13m
The 270ex has a guide number of 27m

I would hardly call those the same power?

[keitaro]

^ i was wrong. I admit it. I just remembering reading somewhere that it was a weak flash.

I still standby the 430EX as a minimum for a ext flash.

[Hehe]

^

Yeah, a full size flash like 430EX is great for proper flash jobs. But the OP is just starting. His photography style might not even need a flash at all.

I have a full set of SB800+SB600 combo, but that's not what I carry around in my bag. I only carry them when I know I'm gonna need them. Hence a suggestion of small flash like 270EX/SB400. These little flashes are a lot cheaper and way more versatile than the in-cam one.

I got my SB400 for like 85USD shipped. It's a great little unit to have it in your bag for the unforeseen event of a flash need.

[davidhtam]

Agreed, especially with the XTi's Digic 2 processor, ISO 1600 should only be a last resort

The XTi's process might be old, but as long as the quality of light is good, shooting at 1600 is no problem!

For example, here is a photo taken at 1600 ISO f/2.8 on my 20D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4133792595_bd49052678_o.jpg

I don't have a 100% crop of this photo, but the noise level is not bad and it's sharp as hell. I guess it helps that i was using an L lens :p

I've printed this photo out at 11"x16" and it looks great!

For the OP:

Invest in a flash! You'll never go back! If you can't afford a 430ex, then try looking for some old school film flashes, like the 420ez or 540ez. They can be had at half the price of the EX flashes and work just fine. Only thing is that you can't use TTL with those flashes as they're not compatible with DSLR's, but that's fine.. just fire off a few tests shots, set it and forget it! I got my 420ez with my XT when i bought it a few years ago and it worked really well for me. I still use it for off camera lighting. I've seen a used 420ez for anywhere from.. $40-80.

[ddr]

i don't know anyone that's wanted less than the equivalent of a 430ex once they start to learn enough about light and their flash. next thing is the off shoe cord. then more flashes. and light stands. and umbrellas. on and on...

maybe read more about it and you'll start to realize things like size of the light source, why getting it off your camera can yield dramatic differences, and how limiting something like a 270 is. Might as well get a more powerful full manual flash for that price. you'll probably be forced to learn a lot more that way anyways.

[m3thods]

Don't know if this is a repost, but this blog was really helpful when I first dived into flash photography. It's a really great resource as it doesn't stress the importance of equipment, but rather technique.

As for flashes, I would not get anything less than a 430. If you can save up (depends how urgently you need the flash), the 580 would be a better investment imo. You can probably pick some up off CL or the RS forums for a fair price.



Courtesy of Neil van Niekerk

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

Enjoy! :thumbsup:

[Hehe]

The thing about flash is that, if you do many product/people shots, you might want to invest into flashes, but if he's gonna be into landscape or even bird photos, having a lot of flashes don't really help do they?

I have yet to meet any landscape/nature/bird photogs that actually have a nice flash setup. Most of them just have one to do some fill light (in which is extremely rare as you don't really want much artifitial light in your nature shots)

[Kamui712]

wow I'm surprised by the discussion and feedback that you guys have provided. It's really made me re-think cheeping out on a proper flash, my main concern about the hot shoe flash was that it would out of place and distracting while enjoying a casual dinner with friends, but I'm motivated to learn and hopefully get to the level you're all at.

I'll do more research on the hot shoe flashes available!

[MikesJo]

You can custom meter the thing that is closes to white in the room, then set your WB to the custom WB and your colors will be much more neutral and not so warm :).

Read the manual if you haven't already. That's a good place to start. The 50mm is a good lens and same with the 20D (David was referring to it earlier). The XT should be just as good.

Mike

[ecchiecchi]

wow I'm surprised by the discussion and feedback that you guys have provided. It's really made me re-think cheeping out on a proper flash, my main concern about the hot shoe flash was that it would out of place and distracting while enjoying a casual dinner with friends, but I'm motivated to learn and hopefully get to the level you're all at.

I'll do more research on the hot shoe flashes available!

I assure you it won't be as distracting as you think it would. Whether you're using pop-up flash or external flash, just the fact that you're using flash is enough for people to turn their heads. =]

[Senna4ever]

There are also third party flashes by Sigma or Nissin that are generally cheaper than the OEM ones. I just received a Nissin Di866 on loan to me for a month for testing, and my initial thoughts are that it is a decent flash. It is supposed to compete with the Canon 580 EXII & Nikon SB-900 flashes at a cost of about $400, about $150 less than the OEM ones. My report will follow.

http://www.nissindigital.com/en/Di866-1.html

[ecchiecchi]

There are also third party flashes by Sigma or Nissin that are generally cheaper than the OEM ones. I just received a Nissin Di866 on loan to me for a month for testing, and my initial thoughts are that it is a decent flash. It is supposed to compete with the Canon 580 EXII & Nikon SB-900 flashes at a cost of about $400, about $150 less than the OEM ones. My report will follow.

http://www.nissindigital.com/en/Di866-1.html

Can't wait to hear back from you about this =o

[vietfx]

There are also third party flashes by Sigma or Nissin that are generally cheaper than the OEM ones. I just received a Nissin Di866 on loan to me for a month for testing, and my initial thoughts are that it is a decent flash. It is supposed to compete with the Canon 580 EXII & Nikon SB-900 flashes at a cost of about $400, about $150 less than the OEM ones. My report will follow.

http://www.nissindigital.com/en/Di866-1.html

Can't wait to hear back from you about this =o

Same here! That flash looks sexy.