Question for Photography Buffs...

Updated on February 16, 2011
L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA
4 answers

I have a DSLR and dabble in photography. I love it, and have done some really nice (my humble opinion) photos, but I also realize that any Tom, Dick and Harry these days with a decent camera who likes good photography thinks they can become a "Photographer." Realizing this, I am not trying to become a pseudo-professional here.

However, I do plan to continue doing photos for family and friends, and I do fine outdoors, or in a lot of natural light. My problem is that when I try to do indoor photographs, I am invariably stumped by indoor lighting. The photos just never come out right, even with adjusting the white balance, shutter speed to allow the max amount of light in, etc.

For those of you who are either professional photogs, amateurs, or just a photography buff, my question is this:

What can I do to best simulate professional lighting equipment in an indoor enviromment? There has to be something I can do to improve my indoor lighting/indoor photos by manipulating the light I do have. Is there a certain kind of lamp I should get? A certain placement of lighting? Incandescent vs. Halogen? Fluorescent (yuck!) I know that lighting creates a mood, and sometimes, a photo shot in dimmer incandescent light, with the proper white balance can create a warm ambience, but for general photos, where I'm not looking to create a mood, per se, just trying to have adequate lighting that simulates studio or natural lighting, that's what I'm looking for.

What have you done to improve the quality of your indoor photography? I mean, I live in PA! I can't take EVERY photo outside!!! LOL

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.

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So What Happened?

Just to clarify, I didn't say that anyone can become a photographer, I said that anyone with a good camera who likes photography THINKS they can be a photographer!!! :) I know there is much more to it than that... a good eye being one important, perhaps critical skill...

More Answers

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Nice, white, natural lighting, stay away from the fluorescent stuff. Joannes has ott lights, the larger ones may work for a larger subject, they do well on smaller items.

Lots of wonderful tips here:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-achieve-...

http://www.essortment.com/photography-lighting-techniques...

http://www.essortment.com/indoor-photography-tips-lightin...
some good tips on reflectors here.

Then of course use photo editing. I Heart Faces is a great online group that does a lot of this and tutorials:
http://www.iheartfaces.com/

Oh yeah, a friend of mine claims she's a pro now... her photos are so awful they make me cringe!

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

I have a passion for photography. For me, it's more than a hobby, I LOVE it! I have books, have made friends online who are pro-photographers, and I'm always reading up on how to better my techniques. Some day I'd like to pursue photography as a career. I disagree with your comment that anyone can be a photographer. You either have a knack for it or you don't. I call it, "having a good eye." Not everyone has that. It's a blessing for those of us who do. : )

I agree that indoor lighting is a challenge. I have considered purchasing lamps and such...but alas, I have not done so just yet. Outdoor lighting is always prime but like you said, it's not always practical. What I do when shooting indoors is open up as many windows (pull up the curtains, blinds, shades) as I can or place my subjects closest to a window. You didn't mention what camera you have. I have the Canon EOS Rebel Xsi. The pop up flash is adequate for most situations but I DO intend to purchase another flash, one that pivots at different angles. I had a camera years ago with a flash like I just described and I LOVED the results.

Here is a web site I just came across this week. Maybe it will be helpful for you.
http://www.digicamhelp.com/

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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

I've never tried Halogen lighting but maybe it is worth a try. I would also try and use a lamp that maybe you can cover with a shirt, blanket etc. to give you different kinds of light. Do you have a flash (not the standard attached one)? And check out that site http://www.photography.com/. Good Luck.

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B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

NEVER EVER EVER Use the pop up flash like suggested, it makes photo's look amateur and harsh. No professional ever uses the pop up flash directly.

What you need is a SPEEDLIGHT (attaches to the top of the camera) and learn how to bounce the flash. I use my speedlight almost all the time indoors by bouncing it off the ceiling, a light colored wall, a window, etc.

For Nikon-
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=nikon+sb-60...

For Canon-
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=nikon+sb-60...

I'm in Minnesota so I know that you can't do all photo's outside! LOL! The speedlight was $130 for my Nikon (Sb-600) and its been one of the best investments ever. Its a learning curve to learn to bounce the light and get it right, but its so worth it!

Also pick up the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Its a great book to learn and even if you already know your camera, its a good read and reference. :)

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