To all you photographers out there...

[shilala]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
It's tripod time.

If you can't use a tripod, tie a heavy string (that will reach the floor) to your camera and stand on the, stretching it taught.
With steady upward pressure, take your shot.
The string trick will dramatically reduce your shake.

A string is a lot easier to drag into a concert than a tripod.

 

[Ornery]

That's the best you're going to get without a tripod, and that camera doesn't have a mount for one.

• Camera
  Make SONY
  Model DSC-T1
  Orientation upper left
  X resolution 72
  Y resolution 72
  Resolution unit 2
  Datetime 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  YCbCr positioning co-sited
  Image
  Image description
  Exposure time 1/8 s
  F-number 4.4
  Exposure program Normal program
  ISO speed ratings 320
  Date/time original 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  Date/time digitized 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  Component config YCbCr
  Compressed BPP 8
  Exposure bias value 0
  Max. aperture value 3.625
  Metering mode Pattern
  Light source Unknown
  Flash Flash did not fire [off]
  Focal length 20.1 mm
  Colorspace sRGB
  Pixel X dimension 2048
  Pixel Y dimension 1536
  Scene type Photographed image
  Custom Rendered Normal process
  Exposure mode Auto exposure
  White balance Auto white balance
  Scene capture type Standard
  Contrast Normal
  Saturation Normal
  Sharpness Normal
  Artist
  Copyright
  User comment
  Miscellaneous
  Exif version (30,32,32,30)

Try resting your elbows on the arms of the chair, and hold your breath. Squeeze the shutter without tipping the whole camera. Support the bottom of the camera with your thumb while you depress the shutter button. That shot is really beyond that camera's ability. The high price was for portability, not all around, high performance.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
That's the best you're going to get without a tripod, and that camera doesn't have a mount for one.

• Camera
  Make SONY
  Model DSC-T1
  Orientation upper left
  X resolution 72
  Y resolution 72
  Resolution unit 2
  Datetime 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  YCbCr positioning co-sited
  Image
  Image description
  Exposure time 1/8 s
  F-number 4.4
  Exposure program Normal program
  ISO speed ratings 320
  Date/time original 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  Date/time digitized 2005:07:16 11:50:49
  Component config YCbCr
  Compressed BPP 8
  Exposure bias value 0
  Max. aperture value 3.625
  Metering mode Pattern
  Light source Unknown
  Flash Flash did not fire [off]
  Focal length 20.1 mm
  Colorspace sRGB
  Pixel X dimension 2048
  Pixel Y dimension 1536
  Scene type Photographed image
  Custom Rendered Normal process
  Exposure mode Auto exposure
  White balance Auto white balance
  Scene capture type Standard
  Contrast Normal
  Saturation Normal
  Sharpness Normal
  Artist
  Copyright
  User comment
  Miscellaneous
  Exif version (30,32,32,30)

Try resting your elbows on the arms of the chair, and hold your breath. Squeeze the shutter without tipping the whole camera. Support the bottom of the camera with your thumb while you depress the shutter button. That shot is really beyond that camera's ability. The high price was for portability, not all around, high performance.

I definitely agree with that, way beyond that camera's ability, I mean my camera could handle it, my Nikon N75, and I'll provide two examples showing the difference...

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/011_11.JPG This is a fast shutter(1/125) and low F-stop(5.8) Also notice how it's grainy and underexposed slightly.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/012_12.JPG This is slow shutter(1/4) and medium F-stop (9.something) Notice how this is clear and the water is milky from having time to run together on the film giving you that nifty look that everyone seems to love?

Notice the difference?? Thats something that little point and shoot couldnt handle in it's dreams, and yet it's a simple thing

 

[Sketcher]

Combination of fast shutter speed, mid/high ISO, fast lens and a steady hand are all required for shooting a moving subject in dark environments. Not any one of those factors alone is sufficient for decent results.

Fast shutter speed and low ISO = images too dark.
High ISO but slow shutter speed = too much subject blur
A slow lens can render even a fast shutter speed and high ISO ineffective.

These shots are from my first experience shooting a concert; before I knew much of anything about white balance and getting along with ISO & Shutter speeds (Not that I know much more about them now). Nothing worth bragging about, just some food for thought.

Exif info is included:

http://www.pbase.com/sketcher/club3d&page=all

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec

Your problem. It's too dark, so the shutter stays open for too long. Everyone's moving.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
concert photos w/o flash are next to impossible not to blur. a mini-tripod is about your only bet, sadly enough

Heh, unless you have a DSLR that is.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
concert photos w/o flash are next to impossible not to blur. a mini-tripod is about your only bet, sadly enough

Heh, unless you have a DSLR that is.

Tripod won't really help either. Your background will be steady but the bandmembers will likely be blurry.

 

[desk]

Originally posted by: shilala

Originally posted by: Bootprint
It's tripod time.

If you can't use a tripod, tie a heavy string (that will reach the floor) to your camera and stand on the, stretching it taught.
With steady upward pressure, take your shot.
The string trick will dramatically reduce your shake.

A string is a lot easier to drag into a concert than a tripod.

that's a good trick. i'll have to try that.

 

[treemonkey]

In that situation you can set exposure compensation to -1 or so or use spot metering (which your cam may not have). Your cam will automatically set a higher shutter and the peoples faces will come out looking less overexposed.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
concert photos w/o flash are next to impossible not to blur. a mini-tripod is about your only bet, sadly enough

Heh, unless you have a DSLR that is.

Tripod won't really help either. Your background will be steady but the bandmembers will likely be blurry.

What is this 'tripod' you speak of?


They don't let them there critters into concerts.

 

[virtuamike]

Your little Sony (I meant that literally, the T1 is tiny) isn't meant to take low light pictures. Even if you got a tripod or support to eliminate camera shake, your shutter speed is too slow and you'd get motion blur. Plus I'm not sure how much higher you can go with your ISO speed (noise looks horrible on little small sensors). Just enjoy the show.

Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Your little Sony isn't meant to take low light pictures. Even if you got a tripod or support to eliminate camera shake, your shutter speed is too slow and you'd get motion blur. Plus I'm not sure how much higher you can go with your ISO speed (noise looks horrible on little small sensors). Just enjoy the show.

Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

Sweet pic. How much did the lens set you back?

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: desk

Originally posted by: shilala

Originally posted by: Bootprint
It's tripod time.

If you can't use a tripod, tie a heavy string (that will reach the floor) to your camera and stand on the, stretching it taught.
With steady upward pressure, take your shot.
The string trick will dramatically reduce your shake.

A string is a lot easier to drag into a concert than a tripod.

that's a good trick. i'll have to try that.

This shot of Gary Numan (1980), was made with just such a contraption. A short eye bolt w/ 1/4"-20 threads screwed into the tripod mount, attached to a 5' length of cable. You can quickly coil and uncoil it for quick shots.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

That's a sweet image. Are you able to post the EXIF? Thanks for sharing.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Your little Sony isn't meant to take low light pictures. Even if you got a tripod or support to eliminate camera shake, your shutter speed is too slow and you'd get motion blur. Plus I'm not sure how much higher you can go with your ISO speed (noise looks horrible on little small sensors). Just enjoy the show.

Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

Sweet pic. How much did the lens set you back?

Picked it up used for $650, at that price I couldn't pass it up. New they go for $1000.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

That's a sweet image. Are you able to post the EXIF? Thanks for sharing.

I think I that covers all the exposure info. How much more exif do you need? Can look up stuff if you need it.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Would using a flash help? I didn't use one because I wasn't sure if flash photography was allowed in the venue.

1) Flash has limited range
2) The lens opening time (shutter speed) has to sync with the flash. The slowest flash can operate at is 1/60th for my camera, and the fastest is 1/250.

BTW you photo experts how do you determine the change in shutter speed when you change aperture? Like F2.8 vs F2.0 is like you need twice the time for F2.8 right? Each stop down is 1x faster?

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Would using a flash help? I didn't use one because I wasn't sure if flash photography was allowed in the venue.

1) Flash has limited range
2) The lens opening time (shutter speed) has to sync with the flash. The slowest flash can operate at is 1/60th for my camera, and the fastest is 1/250.

BTW you photo experts how do you determine the change in shutter speed when you change aperture? Like F2.8 vs F2.0 is like you need twice the time for F2.8 right? Each stop down is 1x faster?

Ehh it really depends, I rarely shoot in full manual control mode these days, my N75 will choose the appropiate shutter speed if you set the f-stop, and vice versa, if i set the shutter it will automatically adjust to the best f-stop. Kinda like cheating sometimes, but sometimes I dont have time to monkey with all my settings especially if I'm shooting anything in motion or whatnot.


EDIT: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/DeathBUA/004_04.JPG This picture I went fully manual took me about 5 minutes just to get the depth and sunlight to be right used center weighted focus, but definitely love how this picture turned out...

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Would using a flash help? I didn't use one because I wasn't sure if flash photography was allowed in the venue.

1) Flash has limited range
2) The lens opening time (shutter speed) has to sync with the flash. The slowest flash can operate at is 1/60th for my camera, and the fastest is 1/250.

BTW you photo experts how do you determine the change in shutter speed when you change aperture? Like F2.8 vs F2.0 is like you need twice the time for F2.8 right? Each stop down is 1x faster?

Closing the aperture one stop halfs the light hitting the flim/sensor, so you have to half the shutter speed or double the ISO to get the same exposure. f/2 to f/2.8 is one stop.

*Edit: I phrased that poorly.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: virtuamike

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Low light photography is the realm of DSLR. That's where lenses come in. 85mm f/1.4 1/80s ISO200

That's a sweet image. Are you able to post the EXIF? Thanks for sharing.

I think I that covers all the exposure info. How much more exif do you need? Can look up stuff if you need it.

Nah, that's alright. I just have this habit of copy/pasting all of the EXIF with the image so I can look up additional detail.

 

[dugweb]

the sad thing is even if you get a tripod and hold it still, your subjects are still gonna be blurry with that shutter speed

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: jndietz
1/8th of a second is really slow. you should be using at least... 1/60th... 1/30th in the most extreme cases. depends on the application.

in that lighting condition, 1/60th of a second may not even appear at all.

as they said, a tripod will help or using the flash will do. upping the ISO is also helpful, but keep in mind this comes at a cost of getting a grainier picture.

 

[Patt]

Tripod will help. Remember that basically you're doing handheld stuff, a basic rule is that for crisp pictures (if you have a pulse) handheld, you need to use a ratio of 1/focal length (approximate). Therefore you need to use a shutter speed of at least 1/20 at a minimum to get clarity. With the tripod it wouldn't matter. Good luck!

 

[jdougher]

Ask here:

http://www.photocamel.com

 

[Platypus]

Shutter speed is too slow..