DSLR camera owners...why are my pictures so dark?

[cdt1101]

I recently purchased a refurbished Nikon d60. I''m very new to DSLR so I''m not sure if the issue I''m having is just lack of knowledge or if something is actually wrong w/ the camera I purchased.

My photos are coming out very dark. I even purchased a speedlight and still no dice. The lighting in our condo isn''t the brightest, but even so when I compare my photos take w/ the d60 vs my Canon P&S the difference is very obvious.

I''m disappointed so far w/ the camera. I purchased a user guide for the d60, but I still can''t seem to get a great shot.

For reference, I''m going to post a few pics...

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[cdt1101]

Taken w/ flash on auto mode

 

[cdt1101]

taken w/ a speedlight.

 

[cdt1101]

last one...this is w/ my Canon P&S. To me, this is when it becomes really obvious how dark the pictures are w/ the D60.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

What a cutie pie!

Are you shooting on Manual? Or are you shooting in Auto? ETA: Didn't see it before - Auto is half the problem - keep reading.

Your pictures look dark and underexposed; the speed light can have a harsh effect when you shoot in Auto mode and don't make critical changes to other settings. You're smarter than your camera, and DSLRs work the best with manually selected settings, or even programmed auto settings, and learning what affects what is a huge endeavour if you normally have shot P&S cameras in auto modes.

Have you ever read anything on photography in the past? Do you know how to set your aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc. in the D60 menus? I didn't pull your exif info, but I suspect your ISO was too low, and it might help to put the camera on M or P and bump your ISO up, and widen your aperture until it looks properly exposed.

Here is a basic book that's fantastic for beginners - helps to understand composition as well as how to achieve proper exposure;

http://www.amazon.com/Bryan-Petersons-Understanding-Photography-Field/dp/0817432256/ref=pd_sim_b_4

This one is a bit more advanced, once you understand the basics of achieving properly exposed and focused pictures;

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003

 

[cdt1101]

LTP - thanks for responding! And no, I have never taken anything on photography so that is definitely part of the problem.

I do know how to access the menu for shutter speed, ISO and aperture. I thought I was adjusting these, but when on P mode, the pics were blurry??? So I''ve been using auto and as you can see, the pics are not great.

I obviously have a LOT to learn

I''ll definitely check out those books. I did buy one from amazon, but it was specific to the D60, so maybe not the best choice

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/3/2010 9:16:50 PM
Author: cdt1101
LTP - thanks for responding! And no, I have never taken anything on photography so that is definitely part of the problem.

I do know how to access the menu for shutter speed, ISO and aperture. I thought I was adjusting these, but when on P mode, the pics were blurry??? So I''ve been using auto and as you can see, the pics are not great.

I obviously have a LOT to learn

I''ll definitely check out those books. I did buy one from amazon, but it was specific to the D60, so maybe not the best choice

It''s great that you bought the D60 specific manual. You definitely need one specific for the D60 because it''s a great camera, and has quite a lot of control through menus that you''d NEVER be able to sort through without it.

I think both of those books will help you get a handle on how to intuitively take great pics. However, learning a DSLR is a steep learning curve. I started learning what did what on my little Canon P&S - I never shoot in Auto anymore because, like I said, a camera is only so smart. You''re definitely smarter.

Good luck!

 

[TravelingGal]

cdt, which speedlight do you have? It looks like you are have the flash pointed straight forward, and not bouncing the light? Also, you are using the kit lens, correct? I don''t have the 18-55 kit lens, so I don''t know if there is a M/A setting on the lens. You want the Auto setting so it will autofocus. Looks like that it probably is though (or is not an issue on that lens). Are you making sure you are pressing the shutter halfway to focus before shooting?

Kids are also fast, so focus is an issue. On your P&S, the flash will go off and the pic will be pretty focused. On the DSLR, the auto mode doesn''t cut it all the time. I use P mode and I get PLENTY of blurry shots too as I learn to fiddle with my camera. I agree, play with the ISO. Also, from what I understand, the kit lens doesn''t do well in low light conditions, which indoor lighting pretty well is.

As a basic change, flip the setting to P, flip your speedlight to bounce off the ceiling and see what you get.

Also, try shooting outside if you haven''t already.

 

[Allison D.]

Reviewing your photos....

The first shot looks to have been taken with the pop-up flash on the camera. This flash isn''t powerful and isn''t really intended to fill the room with light in low lighting conditions. It''s just not powerful enough, which is why the picture looks dark. If you look at his feet, they are brighter than his face, which means his feet are probably the point at which the flash could reasonably reach furthest. If you have moved closer to him, I suspect it would have been a bit better lighted.

Photo 2 actually isn''t dark; it''s washed out and overexposed. The speedlite appears to have been pointed right at your son, so it washed out the foreground and his face (which received too much light).

The likely reason your pictures were blurry on P mode is the lighting conditions were low, which forced the shutter to stay open longer, and any movement while the shutter''s open will cause blurriness.

TGal is right on 2 fronts. First, try taking some photos outside; you''ll likely see they are clear and properly lighted. This should restore your faith in teh camera''s functionality.

Second, bounce the speedlite flash off the ceiling. The picture below of my dog was taken by pointing the flash straight up at the white ceiling. The ceiling acts like a giant reflector, deflecting what is now softer indirect light back down at your subject.

Last thing: Go into the ISO setting and bump it up when you are shooting indoors. You''ll likely need about a 400 or so ISO - maybe 800. Making the "film" speed faster will help you get the faster shutter speed, which will decrease the blur you''re getting.

Hope this helps.

 

[cdt1101]

Thank you Al and Tgal!

You are both right, I had the speedlight facing straight out, not up. I will play around tonight and see if that makes a difference.

Al - That pic looks great! I hope to be able to take great shots soon

Tgal - I have the 18-105 lens. That''s it. I believe I have it set on the auto focus, but will check when I get home tonight. And yes to your other question regarding pressing shutter halfway to focus before shooting.

I have this speedlight

http://www.theaccessoryden.com/index.php?action=item&id=2787059

I wanted the SB400, but at the time it was on backorder and was told the Bower was just as good, if not better than the 400 so I went w/ that.

And you are so right about kids being fast, I can barely get a shot these days.

This is a new hobby for me and I can see I have lots and lots to learn!

Once I play around w/ the speedlight I''ll come back to post a shot to see if it looks any better.

 

[AllieLuv83]

The best advice that I can give to anyone with a DSLR is learn how to use your camera. There are soooooo many wonderful features in your camera after all, you bought it for that reason right? I picked up my first DSLR last march and learned it as I went. I picked up Scott Kelby''s books (DSLR photography 1 & 2) and it taught me so much!

I shoot in manual...you set the Aperture, you set the ISO and then adjust the shutter speed. If you feel that at that point they are still too dark then I would try to "over expose" a little based on your camera settings. You can also process your pictures in a photo processing program. I personally like my pictures very bright.

 

[AllieLuv83]

Date: 2/3/2010 8:45:35 PM
Author: cdt1101
taken w/ a speedlight.

Are you trying to bounce the flash in this one? Point the flash towards the ceiling, or a wall, this will work as a diffuser.

 

[MonkeyPie]

My suggestion - using an inanimate object as your subject, start with your settings on M for manual, and around F9 ISO 200. Take a picture, and look at it (this is called chimping). Change your settings to F8 ISO 400. Take a picture, look at it. See what it is doing as you change settings? Everything gets lighter the higher the ISO and the lower the F-stop. I did this for awhile in different lighting situations without flash to learn what everything did. A manual is great, and will help, but practical experience is a must with a DSLR. Once you get a grasp of how light affects your camera, changing settings will become second nature.

When you look through the viewfinder to compose your shot, you will be a bar on the bottom of the screen. If you "scroll" through it, you will see the bar move. (This is hard to explain without being there, but you can feel free to ask me if I am making no sense!) Basically what you want is for the bar to stop just to the right or left of the center, that will give you the best settings for the lighting situation. Choose an F-stop of around F4.5 or so and leave it there, and then use this bar to determine lighting.

Gah, it''s really early, and I am having a hard time explaining what I mean. But if you ask later I will be more awake lol. I hope some of the advice helps, TGal and LTP gave some better-worded tips before.

 

[cdt1101]

Thanks Allie and Monkeypie!

MP - I think I know the bar you are referring to, but w/out having the camera in front of me (at work) it''s hard to say I understand

I agree though that I need to find the time to practice on a subject other than my son! You''ll see soon that finding the time is hard

 

[AllieLuv83]

I would also suggest finding some natural light maybe take a picture of the little guy napping in his crib in the middle of the day. Miniblinds usually create a nice diffused light!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 2/4/2010 10:04:57 AM
Author: cdt1101
Thanks Allie and Monkeypie!

MP - I think I know the bar you are referring to, but w/out having the camera in front of me (at work) it''s hard to say I understand

I agree though that I need to find the time to practice on a subject other than my son! You''ll see soon that finding the time is hard

LOL understood! Maybe him napping would work

 

[cdt1101]

ok...I had a little time to play. This shot is using P mode w/ ISO 800. So much better than before!!

 

[cdt1101]

This one is also using P, ISO 800, but w/ speedlight....not that impressed. All the shots were much darker using the speedlight vs just the flash on the camera. But I'm sure I just have to play around w/ the settings more.

But just for comparison.

 

[cdt1101]

This one shows more darkness using the speedlight.

Thank you ladies though for pointing me in the right direction

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 2/4/2010 6:38:49 PM
Author: cdt1101
This one shows more darkness using the speedlight.

Thank you ladies though for pointing me in the right direction

LOL @ his expression! This is so cute.

Using a speedlight and bouncing of the ceiling doesn''t ALWAYS produce the results you would prefer. Sometimes you get what is referred to as fall off and raccoon eyes. In your case you got both, and it may have to do with the angle of the speedlight and how close you are to your subject. The first shot with the 800 ISO looks brilliant, though! Just right

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/4/2010 6:36:46 PM
Author: cdt1101
This one is also using P, ISO 800, but w/ speedlight....not that impressed. All the shots were much darker using the speedlight vs just the flash on the camera. But I''m sure I just have to play around w/ the settings more.

But just for comparison.

actually, I prefer the look of this shot over the first one. And anything that I don''t love, I will tweak in post production.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/4/2010 6:36:46 PM
Author: cdt1101
This one is also using P, ISO 800, but w/ speedlight....not that impressed. All the shots were much darker using the speedlight vs just the flash on the camera. But I''m sure I just have to play around w/ the settings more.

But just for comparison.

cdt, one step up on my photo editor (not photoshop by the way) for brightness and contrast did this. Took less than a second.


Ugh, drat...won''t let me upload the photo. I''ll try later when things are working again.

 

[TravelingGal]

 

[BeachRunner]

My hubs is the one with the DSLR knowledge. I just wanted to chime in to say that your kiddo is adorable!

And yes, there is soo much to learn about cameras! whew.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Oh I MISS those wrist bands! So precious!

 

[cdt1101]

Tgal - thanks for the edit! It looks better w/ just the small adjustment. I have played w/ the d-lighting setting on the camera as well and edited some shots w/ that and have liked them. I think I just prefer brighter shots. That''s probably why I still prefer the shot w/out the speedlight.

Beachrunner- thanks!

Tacori - I just love all of his little rolls

I have so many from the other day w/ his chubby legs, but they all look like crap because I''m an idiot and can''t use my camera

 

[treefrog]

Date: 2/4/2010 6:36:46 PM
Author: cdt1101
This one is also using P, ISO 800, but w/ speedlight....not that impressed. All the shots were much darker using the speedlight vs just the flash on the camera. But I''m sure I just have to play around w/ the settings more.

But just for comparison.

The photo referenced in this message looks great. The second one in your new series, I think. It looks natural to me with good shadow and skin color. The one above it, at ISO 800 and no speedlight looks too bright to me... on my work monitor at least. It seems a bit washed out.

Indoor flash photography is extremely difficult to master. I certainly haven''t. That''s probably why I like nature photography! Ok, that''s not quite true... I have to deal with very low light and I sometimes use flash outside to lighten shadow areas.

Bouncing light is the key. Direct frontal flash is harsh and not very flattering.

Experimenting and practice will help. Bumping up your ISO has helped tremendously. Here''s a link with some pretty good practical information:
Flash photography

Also, he has some additional great info here:
Flash tips

Get lost on his site... you''ll learn a lot!

Treefrog