Help pls with natural light/B&W conversion...

[sheila3]

Hi everyone! I wanted to practice using natural light coming through my kitchen window. The shots I took were very grainy. I had the ISO on 1600 so that is prob why. Thought I needed it so for indoors but perhaps I could have gotten away with lower. I am having trouble finding the right exposure settings for indoors w/out flash. I find my pictures appear out of focus and grainy. Any suggestions?
Anyways since this one came out underexposed and grainy thought I would try a B&W conversion. What do you all think? Is it too dark? Do you like the mood of the shot?

Any and all critique welcome. Thanx so much!



Canon Rebel EOS XS
50mm
ISO 1600
Aper 4.5
1/125

[Laurenbiz]

I don't think this is too dark, and I do like the feel - to answer your question. But man, that ISO grain is intense!!! Read this article on DPS - ISO Settings in Digital Photography

I feel like this approach really helped me understand ISO:
-Set my ISO manually at 100, 200, 400, etc.
-Then put my camera in the Program mode so it automatically adjusts the exposure and aperture together
-Take photos in the same envionment, and change the ISO in different photos
-Then I review photos

I did this a lot, and I finally got a good feel for what ISO worked best in what environment with the lighting. Now, I manually adjust everything :-)

[BigFuzzy]

The main issue I have is that there is too much space to the right and not enough in the direction the child is looking. It's commonly believed (though not hardfast rule) that you should leave space in the direction a subject is looking (or moving).
So to me, it feels way too tight on the child's face.

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by Laurenbiz

I don't think this is too dark, and I do like the feel - to answer your question. But man, that ISO grain is intense!!! Read this article on DPS - ISO Settings in Digital Photography

I feel like this approach really helped me understand ISO:
-Set my ISO manually at 100, 200, 400, etc.
-Then put my camera in the Program mode so it automatically adjusts the exposure and aperture together
-Take photos in the same envionment, and change the ISO in different photos
-Then I review photos

I did this a lot, and I finally got a good feel for what ISO worked best in what environment with the lighting. Now, I manually adjust everything :-)

Thanx Lauren! Yes I will have to try that. Did that alot for outdoor shots and now have a good feel for it. Duh...try it inside.

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

The main issue I have is that there is too much space to the right and not enough in the direction the child is looking. It's commonly believed (though not hardfast rule) that you should leave space in the direction a subject is looking (or moving).
So to me, it feels way too tight on the child's face.

Thnx BigFuzzy. Yeah I agree. Have space to work with but then his arm is obviously chopped. I'm going to wait for a sunny day and try again. Practice practice practice!

[Mso]

I actually like it as it is! Grain and all.... Has a lovely feel to it.

[sheila3]

Originally Posted by Mso

I actually like it as it is! Grain and all.... Has a lovely feel to it.

Thanx Mso!