Construction Sites

[Maverick007]

I work in construction and I take my Canon EOS 350d with me.

I like to take photo's but the lighting inside the distribution centres and similar buildings is bad.

I can get the unit looking bright by increasing my iso but shutter speeds are still long. Anything that moves then becomes blurred, people, machinery equipment etc.

How can I take better sharp pictures?

[Bail]

It could be a factor of 4 Things. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO and lens.

For lower light situations a bigger aperture is required (Smaller F number like 1.8). If you have only the kit lens the biggest aperture you have is a 3.5. Use that with a slower shutter speed and a higher ISO. Remember, the higher the ISO, the more noise present in a photo. So I wouldn't go over 1600.
Shoot in automatic mode and note the settings the camera used.

You also might want to invest in some different lenses. A great one for indoor lens that is affordable is the EF 50mm F1.8. Most Canon users have one as it's cheap (80$) and performs very well.

[Fraggleroxer]

good question.

the .50$ solution is to go out and get my favorite lens

a 50mm f1.8 or 1.4 lens.

its real "fast" (meaning the apature can open up far) and the images are usually real sharp.

if your not interested in buying a new lens, all i can suggest is to boost open ur iso (around 800) might work. i wouldnt go up to 1600 though.

if u can use a tripod, you can use a lower shutterspeed. feel free to PM me if u got more questions.

[Fraggleroxer]

It could be a factor of 4 Things. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO and lens.

For lower light situations a bigger aperture is required (Smaller F number like 1.8). If you have only the kit lens the biggest aperture you have is a 3.5. Use that with a slower shutter speed and a higher ISO. Remember, the higher the ISO, the more noise present in a photo. So I wouldn't go over 1600.
Shoot in automatic mode and note the settings the camera used.

You also might want to invest in some different lenses. A great one for indoor lens that is affordable is the EF 50mm F1.8. Most Canon users have one as it's cheap (80$) and performs very well.



lol, we were both typing at the same time

[Maverick007]

It could be a factor of 4 Things. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO and lens.

For lower light situations a bigger aperture is required (Smaller F number like 1.8). If you have only the kit lens the biggest aperture you have is a 3.5. Use that with a slower shutter speed and a higher ISO. Remember, the higher the ISO, the more noise present in a photo. So I wouldn't go over 1600.
Shoot in automatic mode and note the settings the camera used.

You also might want to invest in some different lenses. A great one for indoor lens that is affordable is the EF 50mm F1.8. Most Canon users have one as it's cheap (80$) and performs very well.

Thanks Bail,

I have purchased a Canon 17-85mm lens with image stabillisation. I cant get the guy's to stand still as they are all busy so the slow shutter speed lights the building, but blurs the labour as they move and work.

[Maverick007]

good question.

the .50$ solution is to go out and get my favorite lens

a 50mm f1.8 or 1.4 lens.

its real "fast" (meaning the apature can open up far) and the images are usually real sharp.

if your not interested in buying a new lens, all i can suggest is to boost open ur iso (around 800) might work. i wouldnt go up to 1600 though.

if u can use a tripod, you can use a lower shutterspeed. feel free to PM me if u got more questions.

Cheers Fraggleroxer,

I have got the old tripod out with my stabillised lens but the damn blokes keep moving. The low light building is "lightish" but men are blurred. I can only get good clear pics, if the men are static.

Terry

[Nicole]

I have got the old tripod out with my stabillised lens but the damn blokes keep moving. The low light building is "lightish" but men are blurred. I can only get good clear pics, if the men are static.


Terry, what sort of shutter speed are you using when taking the pictures? And have you tried using the Shutter Priority mode to freeze the action and then try to lighten up the pictures in post-processing?

Also, you said:


I have purchased a Canon 17-85mm lens with image stabillisation. I cant get the guy's to stand still as they are all busy so the slow shutter speed lights the building, but blurs the labour as they move and work.

You might want to have a look at the DPS blog article on IS and Tripods (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/../blog/image-stabilization-on-tripods/)since it can actually have a negative effect on your shot if you're using IS with a tripod since it expects movement in order to work.

[Maverick007]

Terry, what sort of shutter speed are you using when taking the pictures? And have you tried using the Shutter Priority mode to freeze the action and then try to lighten up the pictures in post-processing?

Also, you said:



You might want to have a look at the DPS blog article on IS and Tripods (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/../blog/image-stabilization-on-tripods/)since it can actually have a negative effect on your shot if you're using IS with a tripod since it expects movement in order to work.

Thanks Nicole,

I will try switching the IS off next time I go to site and use my tripod.

[googlit]

The other thing you can do is buy a flash. You can use bounce cards or any number of flash attachments to diffuse the light some so it's not as harsh. But without a fast lens or a flash, it's hard to get good shots that freeze subject motion in dim lighting.

[Maverick007]

The other thing you can do is buy a flash. You can use bounce cards or any number of flash attachments to diffuse the light some so it's not as harsh. But without a fast lens or a flash, it's hard to get good shots that freeze subject motion in dim lighting.

A flash is a great idea for freezing the guys working as long as they are close enough to the camera. I will just have to plan my shots so anyone working will be close and "flash em".

Thanks,

Terry