Why is this happening?

[Jennifleur79]

I have been reading up on the different modes that I can use my camera (nikon D60) in over the last couple of days and have been playing around with the different modes to get the different effects. The A mode works really well and I have taken a couple of successful shots in this, however when I put it on S mode - which I believe controls the shutter speed - make the adjustments to whatever I decide to do it comes up 'subject too dark', it lets me take a pic but when I look at it you can barely see the picture - as though I have taken it in the pitch dark!

Why is this happening and how do I stop it?

[candleman]

you'll need a slower shutterspeed.

basicaly "S" is where you input the shutterspeed you want (you're right) then the camera calculates the aperture required based on the ISO you have chosen.

basically you need a combination of slower shutterspeed and higher ISO, because the aperture is not able to open any wider, and is still not letting in enough light.

read up on the "exposure triangle" in the "tips for beginners" tab on the DPS blog

[Jennifleur79]

Oh ok! Thanks, I assumed it was something I was doing wrong! I think I need to do a bit more reading

I'll have a read later - thanks

[Swisstony10]

You're lucky though - you live in an excellent place for photography! I was in Bath on Wednesday, and spent some of the afternoon sitting in Alexandra Park enjoying the shade, the gentle breeze, and the fantastic views. Unfortunately, I'd neglected to bring my camera so I couldn't take advantage of the scenery.

Ironically, the reason I was in Bath, was to present my portfolio for assessment at the Royal Photographic Society! Doh!


Russ.

[Jennifleur79]

I actually officially live in North East Somerset....where abouts are you? I agree thoughm Bath is a beutiful place and Alexandra park is one of my favs
Sounds exciting though presenting your portfolio - what was that for?

[Swisstony10]

Well, you're close enough to Bath to be able to take advantage of its visual delights.

I'm in simple old North Somerset - at Weston-super-Mare, another great place for pictures, so long as you like cliched shots of cracked and peeling paint, a burned out pier and hotel, or sunsets over the distant Welsh Hills. To be fair, my archive of pictures contains super-numerous examples of all of the above.

Actually, presenting my portfolio was incredible nerve-wracking. You sit semi-anonymously in a room full of other photographers while your portfolio of ten mounted pictures is hung on a rack at one end of the room, and then a panel of five VERY experienced photographers from the RPS peer intently at them, scrutinising every detail very closely and muttering amongst themselves for about five or ten minutes. After that, they either tell the assembled audience that "Regretfully, on this occasion we won't be recommending this panel to the board" (mercifully without telling everybody who's work it is), or they announce the name of the photographer responsible for it and say that they will be recommending it for a Distinction. This is followed by applause, and a heavy sigh of relief from the poor nervous photographer.

And yes, mine WAS recommended.

Russ.

[Jennifleur79]

Hi
Sorry, I've just read back my original reply to you and I have just realised how many typos there were! Ooops! Thats what I get for trying to do this AND entertain my 18 month old LOL
I like WSM, in fact we were there weekend just gone, chaps first time on the beach & experience of sand! He liked the squidgy sand down by the sea I have to say that is the first time we've been and actually been able to get to the sea relatively easily
How do you get to the point where you can 'present' your portfolio? are you a professional photographer? Student? I'm very new to all of this :P
We live about 8 miles from Wells (towards Bath).

[Jennifleur79]

well done btw!

[wulf]

Do you know what the shutter speed you selected was? Indoors on a dull day you can easily reach the point where you need the shutter open for a second or more if you don't have a particular fast lens and have the ISO pegged at the lowest setting. The camera might be doing the best it can.

Personally, I find full manual mode best most of the time; it keeps me aware of what choices I have made for ISO, shutter speed and aperture; if the resulting image is too dark or light, I can adjust accordingly.

Wulf

[Jennifleur79]

No, unfortunately I can't remember
I was having a play around earlier and I managed to take a few good shots on that setting so I guess its just practice and knowing rougly what shutter speed/ aperture size to use for a particular type of photo....
I was playing around with DOF earlier and I couldnt seem to get a particularly successful small DOF picture.....I wanted the background to be blurrier but it wouldn't work for me. I was using A mode....
any idea?