Basic on Photography
This is no expert talking. Just want to share a few tips on basic photography (as how I do it). First of all, get rid of the PNS and go buy a dSLR.
I was just kidding. LOL!
No, I am not. Seriously.
Ok, ok. I was just kidding.
Secondly, flash makes the photograph looks crappy and it all depending on situation too. Try not to use flash. Instead, choose a correct white balance, play around with your camera mode, etc. For dSLR user, increase ISO, reduce field of depth, external flash is the next option. (That’s what I did la!).
Thirdly, get as close as possible to your subject if you intend to shoot a macro. Level your camera at eye level with your subject. Don’t just stand at your height and shoot from the top. Be creative with your angle.
Under a florescent light, without using any flash at all. The background turn out black. Crappy isn’t it?
First candle was lit. See how the natural lighting brings out glow to your picture. Remember to bring yourself same level as your object. Sit on a chair if you want but for me, I was sitting on an ‘invisible’ chair. Go figure 😉
Lighting the second row. You can try for yourself how it looks like with flash. aitelyu, sure beh kua wan.
This is the result of natural lighting. Your picture looks like something that is shot in the dark but the fact is, they are not. Amazing isn’t it?
That’s all for this post.
p/s: The birthday candles is an ‘IN’ thing nowadays. Cute isn’t it? This year, FIL birthday candles look like this. Gee… don’t think he even notice them.
day-dreamer said,
November 7, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Thank you for the tips! 🙂
khongfamily said,
November 7, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Okay..thanks for the tips. Very helpful indeed. Hate taking photos in low light. And macro shoot, very difficult to shoot in low light as well. Any lens you recommend?
Fei said,
November 7, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
I like this photography tips blog.
Pls write more photography tips.
I got to use my Canon 450D, otherwise will become white elephant later..
jasmine said,
November 7, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
thanks for the tips! i hate to use flash too!
p/s: i love the candles but find it a little too expensive
sila said,
November 8, 2008 @ 1:09 am
my tangan is too shaky for nice pics without flash and got no tripod.. 🙁
wen said,
November 8, 2008 @ 9:56 am
hmm… thank you wor… kam siah!
a-moms-diary said,
November 9, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t like using flash too but with low lightings, the photos always turn out crappy with my PNS…have been thinking about getting a dSLR for the longest time now.
laymank said,
November 9, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
I noticed the Birthday candles!
They are nice!
And good take on the pictures! cool with the invisible chair… could be replaced with tripod, maybe?
Jan said,
November 10, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Your instructions were really clear and good but it’s still no good for camera idiot like me so I am just going to continue enjoying lovely snap shots from your camera…..hahahah…..easier and simplier lar….:)
wah, the HAPPY BIRTHDAY wording candles are the in thing these days ah…..then I am damm OUT liao lor…..haven seen it before wor!!!
allthingspurple said,
November 10, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
i love the candles !
thanks for the tips. but need to get a dSLR? what’s that? *duh*
huisia said,
November 11, 2008 @ 10:23 am
for me, you’re an expert!
Binky said,
November 11, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
I’m so glad that you posted this up – thanks for sharing. I am still not familiar with white balance feature and external flash yet. Will have to try playing around with that one day and learn more from you. My photos always turn out blur in lowlights even when I change my ISO to the highest (like 3200) because it still can’t compensate for higher shutter speed. But then again, the higher the ISO, the grainier the pictures will be, aren’t they? And the heavy combination of full dSLR and lens make my hands not steady when I breathe and fire the button especially taking “action” photography (like my running rascal). Any tips on that?? I hate that my regular lens (18-135mm) is very slow (biggest aperture is only f/4.5), so I can’t get really shallow depth of fields. Humph… I think you don’t need to hear my rants anymore! Anyway, wanna take a photo safari together some day???
The Queen says: White Balance (WB) mode – when you are in a room other than white light, try out the WB one by one and see the difference. That’s what I did. lol. We are using different camera. I can’t tell you which is which.
Yup, the higher the ISO, the grainier it is, but it all depending on situation. For silhouette, I used ISO 100, outdoor bright light – ISO 100/200, indoor ISO400. My camera not so geng. No 3200 like yours. You know the reason why I buy 28-75mm f2.8? Because I used to have the problems that you are facing now! f4.5 is not friendly under low light. I wanna take pic of the pumpkin patch! Safari dark-dark, nice meh?
Binky said,
November 11, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Eh… not the Singapore Night Safari lah, if that’s what you are referring to. LOL! The pumpkin patch and the fall foliage are quite colorful seasons, I agree. But I’m thinking on going on a photo trip (without hubby and kid), solely for photographers to try take some good photos. Check out an example of photo safari info: http://www.photosafaris.com/. Some of it quite expensive, but it is good opportunity for amateurists and budding photographers to set up their portfolios…
Ya, when I purchased my Nikon D300, it came in a bundled kit, and considered cheap (some more, that Nikkor lens was made in Thailand.. tsk, tsk, tsk) because no money mah! I spent about US$3000 in getting the body, that lens and another telephoto zoom lens with VR feature (Canon’s IS equivalent) and then a Manfrotto tripod with ballhead… Hubby already make noise, saying I have overspent his given $2500 budget!!!!!!!! Now I am a little frustrated with my regular lens.
The Queen says: Set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was talking about the trip with some other bloggers cum photographers wanna be. We can work out something. Was thinking of Macau as the architecture there is beautiful! Let me know your schedule and we can work out something from there.
athena said,
November 12, 2008 @ 11:02 am
must get the filter to add the sparkle to your candlelight! 🙂
chinnee said,
November 12, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
all your nice photos really makes me beh tahan wanna get a dslr liao!