| Seeing the Light: Taking Great Pictures Indoors |
From "Photography"
episode DPT-104 |
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DIY Photography host Rick Sammon explains how to shoot the best possible indoor pictures: - Turn on all the lights in the room. In a dark room the pupils of the subject's eyes enlarge to let in more light. The flash in your camera will illuminate the blood vessels in the back of the eye, creating a redeye effect. To reduce the chances of redeye, use an off-camera flash, and increase the distance between the flash and the camera. Better yet, use ISO 400 or 800 film so you won't have to use a flash at all.
- If you want to shoot with available light, and fast film doesn't do the trick, you can "push" the film: set the film-speed dial on your camera to a setting higher than the actual speed of the film. Depending on the type of film, you can usually double the speed; check with a local photography store to be sure. When you turn in the film, remember to ask for processing at the higher setting.
- If pushing the film isn't sufficient to enable you to use available light, consider using a wide-angle fixed-focal-length lens. These lenses usually have much higher maximum apertures than zoom lenses. You'll get lots of light into your camera while still using a shutter speed that's fast enough to hide camera shake.
- Shoot fast, especially when you're shooting children and pets. Get down on their level so you can shoot eye to eye.
- Engage your subjects in conversation so you can put them at ease and get a more authentic shot.
- When shooting against glass cabinets or mirrors, don't hold the camera at a right angle to the glass: you'll get a starburst effect from the flash. Instead, shoot your subject from the side (figure A).
- Use a zoom lens and shoot at about 80mm for sharp portraits against blurred backgrounds.
- Move your subject away from walls so your flash doesn't create a dark shadow.
- Beware of posts and other objects that might look as if they're growing out of the subject's head.
- Place the focus zone (usually a black circle) of the camera on your subject and lock it in before composing and shooting the picture.
RESOURCES :
Fabric Photos
Model: 093402653X
Author: Marjorie Croner
Interweave Press Inc.
Website: interweave.com
National Geographic Photography Field Guide: Secrets to Making Great Pictures
Model: 0792274989
Author: Peter K. Burian and Robert Caputo
September 1999
The Photographer's Handbook
Model: 0679742042
Author: John Hedgecoe
Knopf, 1998
Photography
Model: 0321011082
Author: Edited by Barbara London
August 1997
The Question-and-Answer Guide to Photo Techniques
Model: 0715301985
Author: Lee Frost
Out of Print
Camera Angles: Tips and Techniques for Professional-Quality Photographs
Model: 0896582353
Author: Rick Sammon & Steve Werner
June 1994
Nikon
Includes tutorials and mini-lessons on creating better pictures, digital cameras and more. Measurements are given in the metric system.
Nikon
Website: www.nikon.com
Kodak Information
Tips, techniques, tutorials and information on cameras and film.
To e-mail Kodak, click here.
To access Kodak's contact information, click here.
www.kodak.com
Kodak
Website: www.kodak.com
Rick Sammon
1 Fox Rd.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
E-mail: RickSammon@aol.com
Web site: www.ricksammon.com
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