To Flash Or Not To Flash?

[needmath]

I read somewhere to go without the flash indoors and with the flash outdoors. I have been trying this with indoor photos and I mostly get shots that are out of focus or if there was any motion, it is blurred. I really like the clear lighting on the subject when I use the flash indoors but it does make the background very dark. Any pointers?

I'm using an Olympus FE-100.

[Betsy]

I find that with my point and shoot digi camera, no flash indoors is GREAT, IF and only IF I have enough lighting. Low light + no flash = grainy, dark, blurry mess.

Outdoors, a fill flash is great to eliminate some of the sun's harsh shadows on faces.

[KathleenSD]

Light is the main issue - if you are using a DSLR where you can change your lens, from what I have read (although I am ordering one now so hopefully soon I will have first hand experience), you want a Portrait Lens. These are supposedly "magical" because they take fantastic pictures in low light conditions. They are considered to be fast - very low F Stop - so the shutter can open wide. This is what you want

50/85 MM F stop 2.0-1/4 USM

I have my eye on a Canon 85 MM f 1.8 USM lens for my digital rebel XT - retails a little less than $400.00.

Outside you want your flash to fire so you have "fill flash" which gets rid of the shadows. If you are using the flash attached to your camera, it really won't have much of an effect though unless you are up close.

Hope this helps!

[Guest sfcgijill]

Try to use natural light whenever possible. If you are indoors, you may have to use a faster film or digital ISO setting, and even then understand that in order to get a sharp picture, you have to hold the camera very still and whatever you're taking a pic of should also be still.

The more light there is available, the more movement is possible without producing a blurry photo.

On the other hand, when there is "harsh" light, like the noon sun or almost every on-camera flash, you will most likely get unflattering shadows and squinty subjects. To get around this, you can use a fill flash, off-camera flash, or preferably, a reflector to bounce light back onto the subject and reduce the shadows. Best solution is to partially shade the subject - then you get "directional" light, which casts flattering shadows, and no one is squinting.

When there is lots of light, you can use a slower film or lower ISO setting and still get very sharp pictures.

Try having someone pose near a well- lit window. Keep the window out of the photo frame. If it is a very bright window, you may want to hang a light sheet over it to diffuse the light. Rotate around the person, taking pictures at several points around. Have the person turn, too, as you stand still. Shoot at least 3 dozen photos, then put them all side by side. You will easily see the person's "best side", and you will also learn the best light.

[KathleenSD]

Ok so I bought the new lens for my Digital Rebel XT - I chose the 50mm f/1.2 USM lens.

I paid something like $350 on Amazon.com for it. It has been wonderful!!!!!

1. Takes fabulous pictures in low light situations
2. Don't have to worry about high ISOs, graininess or camera shake because of the low f-stop
3. definately want the 50 over the 85mm - there is no zoom and the 85 you would need to be across a room to take a picture.

If you want to see a picture I took with the new lens, click the link below

[size=3][url="http://scrapgirls.com.ipbhost.com/index.php?&automodule=gallery&cmd=si&img=9775"]LO of Ryan[/url][/size][color=#3333FF]

[Guest bellagirl]

So you really like the Cannon Rebel XT? I am interested in getting an SLR and was real interested in a NIkon but now I may focus more on the Rebel. I have had several people tell me I should look at the cannon products.