I’ve invited some incredibly talented photographers to join us for our simple things party each week and today I’m thrilled to welcome Gayle of Mom and Camera!
Keep reading to find some great tips on shooting indoors in low light and be sure to scroll down to the very bottom of the post where you can find Gayle’s photo picks from the STS party!
Hello Simple as That Readers! I am Gayle and I blog at Mom and Camera. It is fun to be invited to blog here. I got to know Rebecca when she asked me to review her book Real.Life.Photography. I was excited to do that because I love capturing real life.
When I first picked up a SLR 9 years ago I thought that capturing that “perfect portrait” was the ultimate dream. I have since learned that a perfect portrait is beautiful, but REAL, EVERYDAY photos are magic. My favorite way to capture real moments indoors is using window light.
Most of us have windows in every room of the house. And, often in the winter, indoors is where the everyday moments happen. Today, I have a few tips for using your windows to capture everyday moments.
1. Let in the Light
When shooting in low light situations finding as much light as possible is crucial. When shooting inside my house, I typically look for north-facing windows. Other windows can be good to—just watch them during the day and look for times when no direct sunlight is streaming onto the floor. I am also a fan of opening up curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Finding the light when there is little light available is a skill and will take time. So open your eyes and look for the light. You can also let light into your camera buy using an open aperture like you find on a fixed aperture lens (50mm f/1.8 or 35mm f/1.8). Be careful not to let more light in by lowering your shutter speed so much that your photos become blurry. Try to keep your shutter speed about 1/125 or higher if photographing kids in low light. You may be able to go a bit lower than that IF your subject is still.
When shooting in low light situations finding as much light as possible is crucial. When shooting inside my house, I typically look for north-facing windows. Other windows can be good to—just watch them during the day and look for times when no direct sunlight is streaming onto the floor. I am also a fan of opening up curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Finding the light when there is little light available is a skill and will take time. So open your eyes and look for the light. You can also let light into your camera buy using an open aperture like you find on a fixed aperture lens (50mm f/1.8 or 35mm f/1.8). Be careful not to let more light in by lowering your shutter speed so much that your photos become blurry. Try to keep your shutter speed about 1/125 or higher if photographing kids in low light. You may be able to go a bit lower than that IF your subject is still.
2. Raise Your ISO
Typically, the lower the ISO number you can use, the better. But in low light situations you need to throw this bit of advice out the window. To get great shots in low light, raise your ISO however high you need to so that you can get the shot! Sometimes that may mean shooting at the highest ISO your camera allows. And other times, it might only mean dialing it up a bit. Either way, don’t be afraid to set it where you need it.
3. Perfect Exposure=Happy!
This seems to go against the grain when shooting in low light, but getting your exposure right and then slightly overexposing it will make the grain/noise less noticeable in your images. Any time you have to lighten a high ISO image–even slightly–grain/noise will become very obvious.
This seems to go against the grain when shooting in low light, but getting your exposure right and then slightly overexposing it will make the grain/noise less noticeable in your images. Any time you have to lighten a high ISO image–even slightly–grain/noise will become very obvious.
Thank you so much for the great tips Gayle! For more practical, easy to follow photography tips pop by Gayle’s blog Mom and Camera or visit her on facebook, twitter and pinterest!
Here are just a few photos of YOUR photos that caught Gayle’s eye as she browsed through the links in our simple things party this past week.
unohdetut | anne
iphone addict | melissa
If your photo was featured be sure and grab yourself a button!
Thank you as always to everyone for linking up each week! I can’t wait to see your photos tomorrow at our very first Simple things Sunday party of 2013!
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
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These tip are great! I am just learning how to use my Rebel properly and take good, quality photos of my children.
Awesome tips! So honored to be featured. Thanks so much!
These are really great tips- thank you. 🙂
These are really great tips- thank you. 🙂
Thank You very much for the tips! Light is something that I’m currently missing 🙂 In Finland the daylight is quite short right now and photoshoot as well as normal everyday life is crying out for more light. Luckily we are now heading to the Spring time, and every day is a little bit longer than yesterday.
I’m honored to be featured with my sunny winter day photo. By the way, the post title “Unohdetut” means “Forgotten” in English. The place that I was visiting that day, looked like it has been desolated.
Thank you for the great tips Rebecca. Those are beautiful impromptu portraits of your children.
Great advice to slightly overexpose in camera than try to raise exposure in post process!
Hello. And Bye.
Hello. And Bye.