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No-Flash Photography In Low-Light Situations Tips and techniques for indoor shooting without a flash From "The Whole Picture" episode DTWP-111

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Aperture, Shutter Speed and Depth of Field

To make your photos look more professional, you need to learn to take more control of your camera's settings. Deciding on the correct combination or balance of shutter speed and aperture is a big part of that process.

Shutter speed is the length of time the window in your camera's lens stays open to let light in to the camera when you snap the picture. Aperture describes the size of that window when it lets light in, and it's measured in f-stops.

In order to take photos that are properly exposed, it takes the right combination between shutter speed and aperture. In low-light settings, it's important to take control over the aperture and let as much light into the camera so that your camera can use the fastest shutter speed possible.

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The aperture also controls the depth of field in your photos. The larger the lens opening, the shallower your depth of field will be. The smaller the opening, the greater the depth of field. The visible effect on your pictures of a shallower depth of field is that the background and foreground of your picture will fade out of focus, leaving only the subject itself in clear focus.

Professional photographers use depth of field as one of the elements in composing their images. When utilized properly, this effect can be utilized as a creative tool, isolating or drawing attention to the subject through the manipulation of what is in and out of focus.

Using Exposure Settings: Aperture Priority vs. Shutter Priority

To shoot indoors without a flash, and at a shutter speed that will still "freeze" most action, you'll select a lower aperture (wider lens opening)--which coincides with a lower f-stop. When you select a wider lens opening, and your camera is set to aperture priority, the camera will automatically select a faster shutter speed to balance the exposure. Faster shutter speeds are desirable for capturing subjects in motion with a minimum of blurring.

You have a choice when selecting shutter speed versus aperture on your camera's dial. If you select the shutter priority mode--indicated by the "S" on your dial--you select the shutter speed you would like to use and your camera will automatically choose the appropriate lens opening needed for good exposure.

If you select the aperture priority mode (the "A" on your dial) the exact opposite is true. You manually choose the lens opening you would like to use and the camera will automatically select the shutter speed. In order to take photos that are properly exposed, it takes the right combination between shutter speed and aperture.

In low light, it's important to have control over the aperture because you need to let as much light into the camera as possible. The aperture also allows you to control the depth of field--or how the distance between the foreground and background in your picture appears. Remember that the larger the lens opening, the shallower your depth of field will become. A lot of times it is okay, and may even be preferred, to throw your background out of focus and lose some of your depth of field and just focus more on your subject.

If you want to focus on the entire scene, and get what is called an establishing shot, using the aperture priority mode will allow you to set a higher aperture (for a smaller opening) so that you can capture more depth-of-field. In that case, the camera will automatically select the shutter speed needed for the proper exposure.

Aperture and shutter speed can be thought of as a sort of balancing act. Feel free to play around and experiment. (Remember, an advantage of digital over film photography is you can take as many pictures as you want without having to worry about the cost of film.) Try switching back and forth between shutter priority and aperture priority and see what kind of results you get. Eventually you'll develop your own preferences for specific shooting situations.

Hold Steady!

Another consideration when shooting in low light is how to steady your camera. If the lighting is such that you need to shoot at a relatively slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/60 or slower), it's especially critical that your camera be held very still when you push the shutter release. At slower shutter speeds, even the slightest camera movement or shake cause blurring in the photo.

A tripod is a valuable tool for helping ensure that your camera is held steady, but some shooting situations are not conducive for bringing along a tripod. In those situations, there are some tricks to help you steady your camera. Try balancing your elbows on a hard surface to help hold your camera steady (figures A and B).

If you're shooting at a concert and lucky enough to be right up front, you may even be able to brace against the edge of the stage (figure C). You might be able find a railing or table to rest your camera on. Once you begin to look for other options besides a tripod, you'll find ways to make your camera steady.

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