Thread: Novice question: Where did I go wrong?

**hador7** · Nov 29th, 2007 10:50 PM

Hi, I'm basically just getting into photography and I'd appreciate some help on some questions that I have. I'm currently learning with a Canon Rebel XTI body (newly purchased) and a Canon 70-200mm f4 lens (which I borrowed to practice with).

I just took a couple of shots and already I can tell that I have quite a bit to learn. I took a few shots in Auto mode and the shots came out quite well (using flash). However, when I tested in aperture priority Av mode, everything went downhill and the pics came up slightly blurry. I also noticed that when I pressed the shoot button, it takes a little while longer for the shot to complete (and I'm guessing that's what's accounting for the blur).

Can anyone clue me in as to why it is blurry?

Mode - Av: f4, iso100

A couple of other smaller questions: 1) I did a test shot on a white screen at f/22 to see if there is any dirt on the sensor (then used auto-levels in photoshop). There were a few specs. Is this common for new slr bodies? 2) When I was taking some pictures in medium to low light situations of objects up close (1-2 meters away), sometimes the camera would not take the shot and the flash would almost flicker and make a crackling sound. Is this common?

I know some of these questions are really noobish but that's me for you

Thanks for the help!

**NiMSo** · Nov 29th, 2007 11:15 PM

Slow shutter speed. In Av mode with flash, the camera will try to meter for ambient lighting, so you'll get a longer exposure time in addition to the flash going off.

**KorruptioN** · Nov 29th, 2007 11:36 PM

Aperture priority at f/4 is mostly good for when you don't have lots of light, but you still don't have enough. Increasing your ISO will help you boost your shutter speed, which will help increase your chances of getting a "keeper" shot. 1/4s at 70mm is way too slow to hand-hold reliably.

**SENSEI** · Nov 29th, 2007 11:51 PM

I agree with above posts.

Your first shot was 1/4s at 70mm
And your second was 1/5s at 113mm

There is no way you're going to get a clean shot without tripod or flash.
Use the rule of shutter speed = 1/focal length to start off if you don't have IS.

This means for a shot at 70mmm (the widest on your 70-200) you need to have a shutter speed of at least 1/80 sec to be sharp. You may be able to get away with 1/60 or 1/40 if you have really really steady hands.

You also shot those at ISO 100. Not the best sensitivity to be shooting indoors. You can take your Canon up to ISO 800 at least and you'll find the camera will expose the same shot with a much faster "hand-holdable" shutter speed.

Give it a shot and post the new pics. I find that 90% of beginner bad pics are all user error (I don't think there's anything wrong with your equip)

**CSAgent** · Nov 29th, 2007 11:56 PM

As my fellow esteemed photographers have stated, I want to also add this in.

Try shooting in manual, set shutter to 100th of a second, ISO 800, F4-6.3, use flash (hotshoe or built-in) and you will get clean shots. That should be the basis of what you should shoot by for now when it comes to indoors. You'll be guaranteed clean photos 85% of the time. Hotshoe will give you broader range and more even lighting, whereas the built-in flash is only good for fill flash to lift shadows, or to small tightly packed subject grouping up to 3 meters in front of the camera.

Until you get the hang of it, and learn more then you can try to be creative and play around more with the settings.

Its what I had to learn too when I started out.

**KorruptioN** · Nov 29th, 2007 11:59 PM

Shadows created by direct flash FTL

I like shooting with available light.

**hador7** · Nov 30th, 2007 12:20 AM

Really appreciate the quick responses, guys.

I will try to play around with the ISO settings and shutter speed settings tonight. Hopefully I get it right this time and get a nice, clean pic. Will post my results.

Any further feedback or other advice for a noobie like me would be appreciated.

**rubberband** · Nov 30th, 2007 11:32 AM

Your pictures are fuzzy because the shutter speed is too slow. Higher ISO will reduce the amount of time the shutter needs to stay open for enought light to get through to expose properly. Your shots are blurry because while the camera is sitting there taking the picture your hands are shaking.

Try this: Fold up a small towel, and set it on a table in that room. Put your camera down on the towel. Now use the exact same settings as before - except this time, use the self-timer on the camera to fire the shutter with the camera motionless on the table.

Compare the shots! No more blur, and nice, warm, natural light compared to using the flash. Welcome to the most frustrating part of photography - trying to get nice natural looking lighting in your shots when conditions aren't ideal.

**bob0** · Nov 30th, 2007 11:58 AM

welcome to photography. looks like everyone has given you good pointers about your photos, so i'll help you out with your questions

1) i dont think it common, but that doesnt mean it cant happen. also the dust might have entered when you where changing lenses or the dust could be in the lens or on the lens.

to see if it's the lens, switch it with another one and see if the specs stay in the same place. if they stay put...it's the body.

couple tips on changing lenses, try to do it quickly, with the body facing down and with the camera off.

dont worry too much about small specs of dust....they can always be photoshopped out

2) there are many reasons why a camera wont take the shot. you're too close and your lens cant focus...there's a distance number on the lens (should be a flower beside it i think). this is the closest you can be to your subject and still focus. (but this probably isnt your problem)

what your situation sounds like is that the camera cannot focus due to low light. so your flash is going off as an AF assist.

hope that helps

**UrbanPoet** · Nov 30th, 2007 01:00 PM

once u figure out ISO, shutter speed, apeture, lighting like everyone else said... you could practise your STAB.
Theres a certain technique to hold the camera steady. I like to stab my elbow close into my body to keep it stable.
holding ur breath helps too.

**eelfliw** · Nov 30th, 2007 07:37 PM

Mounting the camera on a tripod or putting it on some solid support (like a bean bag) and use the built-in timer to trigger the shutter will solve the problem you're currently having.

**VorteC** · Dec 1st, 2007 01:20 AM

I think it's cuz you set the ISO to 100.. since the light sens. is so low, the camera adjusted to a slow shutterspeed to get more light. Set your ISO to 400/800 and give it a try. I almost NEVER shoot with ISO100.