BetterPhoto Q&A: Available Light in Photography

Questions about taking pictures by window light? Wondering about different sources for available light? Check out this Q & A for all of your lighting questions or take a look at Mastering Light: Natural Flash, an article written by Jim Zuckerman. Or, if you're looking for in-depth instruction, check out his Mastering Light online photography course.

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  26 Questions
Replies
Last Activity
 
  Shooting Subjects Next to Fireplace
I am trying to take a Christmas picture of my children next to the fireplace. I have a Canon Rebel. I am wondering what I should do to get a clear shot of the kids but not use a flash so that I c...
17
November 26, 2008
 
  Concert Photography: What Now?
I am curious what knowledge and equipment people find most useful when shooting concerts with digital and ever-changing lighting conditions. All input appreciated!! ...
2
January 30, 2008
 
  Pictures on Bright Sunny Days
Hi. I went to a car show on a beautiful sunny day. I took some pictures and I didn't like the way most of them came out. They were either too bright and washed out, or too dark with had lots of...
13
October 25, 2007
 
  Orange-tinted Pictures
Some of my indoor photos in lower light are turning out a bit orangy... Can someone assist? Thanks!...
7
October 23, 2007
 
  Shooting in Natural Light Without Flash
I have been doing a lot of shooting with just available light and experimenting with flash. I am having some difficulty with stopping the motion and missing out on a lot of great images. I cannot r...
4
September 28, 2007
 
  Taking Photos Indoors
I use ISO 400 with my Nikon film F80 camera to take photos indoors, and I use my built-in flash. The problem is that the photos (which are colour photos) are quite grainy. What is the best way t...
10
March 23, 2007
 
  Help ... Blurry Indoor Pics!
My niece has been singing karaoke at a local bowling alley on Friday nights and I need help getting my pictures to come out right. I'm using a Canon digital Rebel XT. The lens that I'm usin...
8
March 14, 2007
 
  Shooting a School Play in Dark Auditorum
What settings should I set my camera on to take pictures at my daughter's talent show? It is going to be dark in the auditorium and the stage will be well-lit. Thanks....
4
February 28, 2007
 
  Low-Light Indoor Photography
I am getting ready to buy a DSLR camera. I am currently using a high optical zoom camera (Canon S3). I am having difficulty getting good exposures indoors without using flash. I am going to invest ...
7
January 30, 2007
 
  Shooting Indoors Without Flash
I have a Fuji S2 and I'd like to take photos of my daughter's play where I'm not allowed to use flash photography. How can I shoot photos without using the flash? I did slow down my sh...
16
December 12, 2006
 
  Problems with Fluorescent Lighting
I am a graphic designer with a basic knowledge of photography. I have to take product pictures at work with no real studio and all fluorescent lighting. My boss is uphappy with the outcome of the...
2
September 05, 2006
 
  Taking A Mirror Image
What's a good way to take a picture of someone while they're looking in the mirror without getting a glare? Thanks....
6
June 20, 2006
 
  Shooting with Fluorescent Lighting.
Sometimes when I'm shooting in a room with fluorescent lighting, my pictures will have a green tint. How do I eliminate this?...
3
January 31, 2006
 
  Portraits in Room with Fluorescent Light
Hi all,I will be taking portraits at an Olympic celebration locally. The problem is it is in a room with fluorescent lights. The lights can't be turned off, so has anyone got suggestions on wha...
6
January 24, 2006
 
  Taking Pictures in a Nightclub
I'm going out tomorrow night to see one of my favorite local bands play at the bar. I'm planning on taking my digital along because a lot of amusing things happen when this band plays... Wh...
5
December 29, 2005
 
  Tungsten Lighting
What lighting is suitable for studio lighting for flowers? Incandescent, I know, gives a reddish tone to things, but what about tungsten lights? I am referring here to constant tungsten lighting as...
3
November 01, 2005
 
  How to Shoot Monuments
What is the best way to photograph a slate or finished stone monument without glare and reflections?...
5
August 16, 2005
 
  How Do You Get a White Background?
How do you "blow out" the background in your picture ... like when you want it to be all white?? ...
1
April 14, 2005
 
  How to Shoot in Aquariums?
Should a flash be used while photographing in an aquarium? I have a Fujifilm S5000 and have tried desperately to get good photos in aquariums. They either come out extremely dark or very blurred, a...
16
August 10, 2004
 
  How to Fix Lighting Flares in Digital Photograph
I have several digital pictures of a concert. The flares that glare out from the lights is not too bad. But in some instances it is just way to overwhelming on the image. I was wondering how to ...
5
July 24, 2004