when to use a flash/max iso-sample pictures added

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Coley.

Bryant Gumble
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Hello, ive got a real basic question i'd quite like the answer for please :love:
When/how do you decide if you need to use a flash ?
Earlier today i was trying to photograph some stairs we had just finished fitting. It was fairly dark so i took a few test shots with low iso and had a quick view on screen- it was way to dark so i upped the iso to...............1600 (cough cough) then the pictures looked much better on the camera screen :lol: needless to say this is the first time ive properly experienced noise (lots and lots :help:) so my question is, even though the camera (1000d) say its will work up to iso1600 whats the max iso i should consider using a flash ? I've only got the cameras in built one for now :thumbs: I was using a sigma 10-20 lens if that make any difference :shrug:

Thanks

Coley
 
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I'm new too so this is kind of the blind leading the blind but I believe it also depends on what shutter speed you had the camera set on. The slower the shutter speed the more light gets let into the lens and optics and this would actually allow you to not have to step up the ISO so much or use a flash. Only problem is you then open yourself up to getting blurred images if you shoot handheld as there is more chance of you moving the camera while the shutters open and capturing the image.

Also open the aperture as much as possible as this would also let in more ambient light and again mean you don’t have to step up the ISO and risk noise.

Hmmm kind of sounds like I have a clue what I'm talking about for a second there....

P.S try setting the camera to f2.8 shutter to 1/40 and ISO to 800.
 
Direct flash tends to look pretty bad on most things so people typically don't use it and if you're using the 10-20 at the wide end the internal flash probably won't cover the whole field of view.

So, what to do? you either use bounce the flash (external flash required), up the ISO but then each camera has its limits on how high you can go before getting unacceptable noise OR you use a tripod and long shutter.
 
Dean, thanks for taking the time to tell me your thoughts. From what i remember i was in av mode and had it set at about 6 i was in major panic mode trying to finish everything in time so that didnt help things. If i get chance to go back i'll try taking some using the settings you suggested :thumbs:

Nawty said:
Direct flash tends to look pretty bad on most things so people typically don't use it and if you're using the 10-20 at the wide end the internal flash probably won't cover the whole field of view.

So, what to do? you either use bounce the flash (external flash required), up the ISO but then each camera has its limits on how high you can go before getting unacceptable noise OR you use a tripod and long shutter.
Click to expand...

So the only realistic option i have is to use a long shutter and tripod then ;) I've been looking to get an external flash for sometime- although now is the only time i realise why i actually need one :lol:If only there was somewhere good/reliable that could guarantee deliver to me by friday................:thinking: I've also just signed up to flickr- thought it would be useful to show what i was trying to achieve :bang: not quite like good ol photobucket is it :bat:
 
I've got a tripod but never used it for shooting for indoors. If using a flash would give me the same results as using a long exposure and tripod, i'd sooner use a flash on this instance. You can imagine the state some of the building sites i've visited, hopefully a flash would give me a bit more flexability and allow me to get into places a tripod wouldnt.
 

IMG_4039 by Coley,, on Flickr


IMG_4035 by Coley,, on Flickr


IMG_4012 by Coley,, on Flickr

After a mad last minute panic today, this is what i managed to get. The balls are missing from the top of the newel posts so i'll have to go back to fit them.

I'd be very grateful for any advice on how to take a decent picture- maybe even tempted to sub the job out to a professional :suspect::nono: Im imagining if i can take something similar, but in focus :nuts: after a bit of a crop it might look much better

Coley
 
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OK 2 things.

Firstly there is enough ambient light around that you don't need a flash with the lights on.

If you have a look at the last one it looks brighter than the rest which are set to ISO 1600 and you only have that set to ISO 200! The shutter speed is set to 1/40 for this one. On the others the shutter is set to 1/160. This means that for the ones set at 1/160 the light only gets 0.006 of a second to work it's magic while at 1/40 it has 0.25 of a second. I apprieciate that the last one also has the lights on in the other rooms so will be slightly brighter anyhow but you get my point.

Secondly I actually think this photo could be better done WITHOUT the lights on. But yes this would require a flash (or ideally a few triggered wirelessly!) to light it up. Apprieciate that you won't be running out to buy 3 flashes just to get this shot done but just worth a mention as it kind of helps answer your original question.

Also might be worth having a look at your white balance and setting it up for indoor lighting?

Great job on the stairs though!!
 
You don't need flash but you do need to expose the image a bit more, forget about the blown highlight coming through the external windows, you need to expose for the shadows when doing this type of shot.

I have done a little edit to show how much detail you have in YOUR shot.

Stairs21.jpg


I adjusted the WB, then added some exposure..about 1 full stop over, reduced the noise by 25 (in camera raw) and that is it.

Is the staircase supposed to be that colour...(off topic)

PS ..nice looking job...and house.
 
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Thanks for your suggestions Dean. I went out this morning and bought a 430 ex flash. I've finished work now so im going to try taking a few dark and gloomy pictures of the workshop.

Tom, thanks for your edit. It looks much better, but if im honest when i zoom in it still looks quite blurry. I'll try setting the shutter speed a little longer. Atleast now ive got a better idea of where i was going wrong :thumbs:

tiler65 said:
Is the staircase supposed to be that colour...(off topic)
Click to expand...

Its oak to match the doors,architraves skirting etc. I cleaned up all ready for the painter to give it a coat of the same stuff as the doors. Hopefully the dust should have settled by the time i go back tomorrow :lol:

Coley
 
Coley. said:
Thanks for your suggestions Dean. I went out this morning and bought a 430 ex flash. I've finished work now so im going to try taking a few dark and gloomy pictures of the workshop.

Tom, thanks for your edit. It looks much better, but if im honest when i zoom in it still looks quite blurry. I'll try setting the shutter speed a little longer. Atleast now ive got a better idea of where i was going wrong :thumbs:
Click to expand...

It will look blurry as I only had your tiny photo to edit with, if I had the original it would be better.

And don't pixel peep, it is the curse of the devil.
 
tiler65 said:
It will look blurry as I only had your tiny photo to edit with, if I had the original it would be better.

And don't pixel peep, it is the curse of the devil.
Click to expand...

Fair enough Tom :thumbs: I hadnt heard the phrase pixel peep before- i like it :lol:

Went back on friday to fit the newel caps. If im honest, think one of the main reasons i didnt want to use a tripod is because i'd have felt a bit embarrassed:$ I was expecting all the builders on site to be laughing and i'd still have ended up with blurrier pics then they could take on there camera phone. But luckily......................all the builders were leaving when i arrived, only the painter left. So out came the trusty tripod, my newly aquired flash and i spent a good few minutes playing around trying to get some pictures. Long exposure + tripod = much better pics ;) (compared with my first batch) I feel alot less clumsy with my tripod now, so im grateful for your suggestions :thumbs:


IMG_4124 by Coley,, on Flickr


IMG_4105 by Coley,, on Flickr




Any tips for future pictures like this would also be very welcome. Would there be a simple way in elements 9 that would let me colour the balls to match the rest ? - Im guessing i'd need to use some kind of filter, if i get chance later i might do some browsing on youtube and see if anything turns up.
I probably shouldnt be excited about a flash but boy was i impressed with it- in the instructions it says if i buy another 2 flashes, i can photograph a penguin :naughty:

Cheers

Coley
 
Hi,

In the shots above, they all seem to be at f/6.3. The last one, according to the exif, was taken at a focal length of 11mm and a distance of a couple of feet. This would give a depth of field of 3-4 feet.
Change the aperture to f/11 or higher, compensate with a slower shutter speed and you should be able to get everything in focus.

Paul.
 
Much better Coley but I reckon you could still give these a bit more exposure.

Paul has given good advice regarding the f stop too.

As for the white balance, ask yourself - what does it look like to my eyes when I view the room? and then adjust the photo in post processing to suit.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Hopefully I'll get another chance to go back and see them. This depth of field thing I definitely need to look into. From the way you describe I'm guessing there might be some type of formula to calculate it. When I've been using the nifty fifty I turned the dial to the left to get nice bokeh, then to the right for everything Sharp- finding a way to calculate this would be magic ! Would a longer exposure just make the picture brighter or would it alter anything else ?

Seems like every picture I take I'm learning something new, this time next year the picture of the stairs will be perfect ;@) ha ha

Coley
 
the only other thing i would say is clean up before you take the pics , the dust sheet and paint tins , very nice stair case by the way
 
Thanks for that Paul, looks like an interesting read :thumbs:I'll have a proper study of it at the weekend

bigtodski said:
the only other thing i would say is clean up before you take the pics , the dust sheet and paint tins , very nice stair case by the way
Click to expand...

Guess its noticing these little things that make the difdference :bang::thumbs: Im proper armed up with another load of ideas now thanks to you guys- hopefully i'll get another chance to take some pics.

Coley
 
This is what its all about, learning as you go, and you seem to have really taken note and made a huge difference.

Dont ever feel embarrased by taking your tripod out, i know what all builders and the likes can be like to work with being a joiner myself. But great job on the photos and the stairs are stunning.
 
Thanks for the positive comments Dave ;) This photography lark has to be one of the most difficult things i have tried to learn, but its also one of the most rewarding. Dont suppose youve got any further tips on photographing your joinery ? Alot of the time, once something is collected from the workshop its rarely seen again. I did think some nice clean dust sheets hung up might make a suitable back drop :thinking:

Coley
 
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