So I've read that you really should try to avoid using the flash at most times indoors to avoid the black background/white face look. So I've been trying that, and almost all of my pictures are turning out blurry. I'm shooting my kids, so even if my camera is perfectly still, they aren't. The color is a lot better, but I just get 30 pictures of blur! Any advice? I'm using a Canon S3IS, and, no, I can't upgrade at the moment to a DSLR!
Photography help!!
- Thread starter cheltzey
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AmyM
New member
I still use flash inside sometimes and i have a DSLR, so don't feel bad LOL
What kind of editing program do you use? I have pspxi and there are a lot of fillflash/backlighting things there to edit...you can try adjusting the levels and sharpen a bit? I think in this case you might have to rely on the old photo editing. I had to all the time when I had the easyshare camera.
Not long ago I downloaded a free trial of Adobe lightroom 2 beta. That thing can fix any photo!
What kind of editing program do you use? I have pspxi and there are a lot of fillflash/backlighting things there to edit...you can try adjusting the levels and sharpen a bit? I think in this case you might have to rely on the old photo editing. I had to all the time when I had the easyshare camera.
Not long ago I downloaded a free trial of Adobe lightroom 2 beta. That thing can fix any photo!
ColleenSwerb
Brodo gettin her Swerb on
You can check your manual and see if you can change the ISO setting. The higher it is, the faster the shutter moves, and the less time there is for the picture to blur.
ColleenSwerb
Brodo gettin her Swerb on
Yup that's a side effect.
It's a matter of balancing the blur and the noise. You have to pick which one you can deal with, lol.
ETA: Or just use your flash
It's a matter of balancing the blur and the noise. You have to pick which one you can deal with, lol.
ETA: Or just use your flash
DawnMarch
Active member
Yes, this is one of the limitations on point & shoot cameras. They are not good at high ISOs, and even with a high ISO, you may not be able to get a shutter speed that's fast enough to stop motion (prevent blur). The reason this works with SLRs is that you are able to open the aperture way up to get more light, but p&s cameras just don't have that same ability. I would tend to use the flash inside for moving subjects, unless you happen to have a lot of ambient light.
sillescrapper
New member
You can tape tissue over your flash to use as a diffuser and that will really help.
Other tips:
Find the light. Open blinds and have them face the window for nice catchlights. The north facing window is best, if possible.
If you must use the flash, diffuse it and make sure they are not too close to a wall for the harsh shadows. In fact, position them as far from it as possible.
If you are really creative, you could try this: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/12/diy-coffee-can-pop-uping-flash.html
Strobist is a great site for diy inexpensive solutions when it comes to photography.
ETA: Here are a couple examples-
This pic had harsh shadows- see how close she is to the backdrop- I *tried* to erase them in PS but looking at it now, yuck!
This was taken with no flash, standing right in front of a window with the blinds up (I was between her and the window.)
Other tips:
Find the light. Open blinds and have them face the window for nice catchlights. The north facing window is best, if possible.
If you must use the flash, diffuse it and make sure they are not too close to a wall for the harsh shadows. In fact, position them as far from it as possible.
If you are really creative, you could try this: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/12/diy-coffee-can-pop-uping-flash.html
Strobist is a great site for diy inexpensive solutions when it comes to photography.
ETA: Here are a couple examples-
This pic had harsh shadows- see how close she is to the backdrop- I *tried* to erase them in PS but looking at it now, yuck!
This was taken with no flash, standing right in front of a window with the blinds up (I was between her and the window.)
Last edited:
Angela Spangler
New member
If you're not able to adjust your shutter speed on your camera, the flash may be the only thing that keeps the blur to a minimum.
Angela Spangler
New member
A coffee filter works great, too!
Leila
New member
MelissaL88
New member
If I remember correctly, that Canon should have manual settings. It may even have different modes of flash (red-eye reduction, warm-up, etc.). My p&s (panasonic) has one mode that is yellow (highly technical term 
) and if I find I need to use the flash indoors, then having the flash on that mode really helps make it look a little more natural.
example 1 no flash:
example 2 regular flash:
example 3 "yellow" flash:
) and if I find I need to use the flash indoors, then having the flash on that mode really helps make it look a little more natural.example 1 no flash:
example 2 regular flash:
example 3 "yellow" flash: