BetterPhoto Q&A
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Sharon Melton		Avoiding Blurry subjects I have shot lots of pictures for my daugther in the high school auditorum, the lighting is terrible, I usually use 800 speed film and shot on auto, with no flash. most of the time I have about 5 to 8 images that will be blurry. the backdrop on the stage is black and it seems that the camera is focusing on that. It usually is not a big deal because they are just for us. But I have asked to shot a pageant,and also will be shooting a singing and dancing program. I need to make sure that that everything turns out. If I shoot with 800 speed film use a vivtar flash and shot at f8 60th of second, would that be good, there will be movement at time. Should I shoot at a higher shutter speed and if so, what fstop should I use. To love this question, log in above November 12, 2004

Jon Close		What camera, lens, and flash are you using? Without flash: Generally the meter averages the entire scene, so the large amount of dark backdrop fools it into setting the shutter speed much slower than you need for the spot-lit subject. Use spot- or partial-metering on the lighted subject. See also http://www.photo.net/concerts/mirarchi/concer_i for a very good tutorial on concert, stage, and low light photography. With flash: If the flash is dedicated and uses TTL control, set the aperture wide open to get the greatest useful range. Only close it down to f/8 if you are relatively close to the subject. If the flash is non-dedicated auto, then set the lens aperture according to the scale on the flash. Some flashes have 2 auto settings, one for close (eg. 4-20 ft) and another for longer range (maybe 8-40 ft). Use the setting (and lens aperture) that best corresponds to your distance from the subject. To love this comment, log in above November 12, 2004

Sharon Melton		i have been using a pentax, zx5n, with no flash, 800 speed film setting the camera to auto. but I was thinking that I would use my vivitar flash and set the use 800 speed film but not sure what fstop and shutter speed to use. I may use digital canon rebel, and do not know what iso and shutter speed or f stop to use. To love this comment, log in above November 12, 2004

Jon Close		ZX-5n has spot metering, use it. See p. 68 of the manual. If you don't have it, download it from http://www.pentaximaging.com/customer_care/manuals_literature. With the flash, you can use any shutter speed from the x-sync (1/100) or longer. If you need to stop motion (or are using a lens longer than 80mm) then use 1/100. To love this comment, log in above November 12, 2004

Sharon Melton		thanks jon, yes I have the manual, so if I shoot with 800 speed film, lens longer than 80mm shoot at shutter speed of 100 at f8 this will work. and yes I want to stop motion. ( I did not think the sync would go below 60th of a sec with a flash) will this set up also work with the digital rebel. except I will be a lens no longer than 55 mm. To love this comment, log in above November 16, 2004

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