New D300!

[KayM]

Hi guys!

I'm new to the forum although I recognize several of you that I'm familiar with

I just got a new Nikon D300 and although I am just absolutely thrilled with it, I have to admit I am not getting quite the pictures I had hoped for. They are nothing like Kim's or Heidi's I've been reading all the past post here in hopes to find answers.

I am trying to get good indoor shots. I am using a 55mm 1.8 lens. I have played around with the ISO but I'm just not getting clear photos. I have adjusted the iso up high enough to have the shutter speed at 125 or higher but most of my photos are coming out slightly blurry and always blurry around the edges. And no catch lights in the eyes at all. I've seen some of Kim's photos in another post where her photos are amazing at low light and still catch lights in the eyes. Kim if you're around how are you doing this? Are you using any kind of flash or external lighting?

Any help any of you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks bunches!

Kay

[HeidiKnight]

I'm having a blur problem too, Kay. Let's wait for Kim to tell us what to do. I ordered the D300 field guide. I had the guide for the D70 and loved it, so I imagine this one will be as good. Then I'll figure out what settings I have wrong.

[sam ellis]

well if EITHER of you want to throw th e 300 my way I promise to catch hope you get it sorted ...

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Originally Posted by sam ellis

well if EITHER of you want to throw th e 300 my way I promise to catch hope you get it sorted ...

And I'll be right there in case Sam's about to miss the catch!

[readstoomuch]

Holding up my net here too for the catch!

[KayM]

Hahahaha!! Well I'm not quite ready to throw it out yet!

It takes wonderful pictures outside. And I know there is just some little something I need to know to get good indoor pictures too. Like maybe a lighter house??

Yooooo hoooo! Kim where are you??

[katrinak]

Are you using manual or auto focus?

When you look through the viewfinder do you see catchlights in your subjects eyes?

wow...I'm full of questions but not much else today

[beehive50]

Originally Posted by katrinak

When you look through the viewfinder do you see catchlights in your subjects eyes?

What the...? You can actually SEE catchlights in the viewfinder? Geesh... I must not be close enough. Or I have bad eyes.

[bjwtville]

So far have only used my D300 outside and have had good luck..have not tried inside..you are scaring me! Now will have toplay this weekend. I also ordered the field guide this week.

[KayM]

Originally Posted by katrinak

Are you using manual or auto focus?

When you look through the viewfinder do you see catchlights in your subjects eyes?

wow...I'm full of questions but not much else today

I am using auto focus and hmmmm... not sure if I can detect the catchlights through the viewfinder. I'll have to check and see.

Where can I order the Field guide?? I've not heard about this! And apparently I need one!

[HeidiKnight]

You can find the field guide here.

[SAHMom]

I'm here! It's been a heckuva week! Feeding baby to sleep... be back soon!!

[bluelemur01]

hi Kay,
it's probably not the camera or you, but the fact that light indoors is REALLY LOW! I find that even with my 55mm 1.8 lens, sometimes it's just too dark indoors to get good shots. And I live in Arizona!

Sometimes this helps indoors: Open all blinds/curtains, even doors. Then put your subject right next to a well-lit window so that window light is streaming onto 1/2 of their face. This will give GREAT catch-lights and lovely lighting. Using a tripod can help. This works for people who can sit still though, not wigglies like my 1.5 yr old.

Here's another thing that helps indoors. Use an external flash bounced off the ceiling, and use the flip-out white card to help bounce some light back to the eyes. Or locate your person close to the window like before; catchlights will come from the window and the rest of the light will come from your flash.

My fave locations are actally outdoors in the bright sun, but under a patio shade or other shady location. Then the sun gives awesome catchlights, but doesn't wash out details or provide too much contrast.

I actually DO see catch lights in the eyes before taking the pic; I do lots of 'fill the frame' close-ups. I actually avoid certain shots if I don't get catchlights.

Jennifer

[bluelemur01]

ok, that was really huge! Let me try again with a few catchlight shots.
Jennifer

[KayM]

Awwww those are precious photos Jennifer! And sooo great!

I do think my house is too dark. I guess I was just so hoping that I would find a way to get great indoor shots without a flash. I do have an external flash and have used it bounced off the ceiling with good results. I just had my heart all set on not needing it with the 55mm 1.8 lens and the high ISO I could get with the D300.

I guess half the fun is the challenge of getting the perfect shot

Thanks for your reply! And thanks Heidi for the link to the field guide! I'm going to grab one of those!

Kay

[justmp]

I'm a Canon girl myself, but Kay, I thought I'd mention that with my external flash I use the Lightsphere, and that has really made a difference for me.

[bluelemur01]

A lot of times I just can't get the indoor shots w/out flash. It's amazing how little light sometimes gets into that lens! Have you tried the window shot indoors though? I love that look.
J

[ptknox]

Originally Posted by justmp

I'm a Canon girl myself, but Kay, I thought I'd mention that with my external flash I use the Lightsphere, and that has really made a difference for me.

I was going to suggest Gary Fong's Lightsphere but Jodi beat me to it! (Actually...I really just wanted to say "Hi Kay!"...waving wildly at you!)

[SAHMom]

Are you using your aperture wide open? If so, that might be your problem... you may want to close it down a stop or more if you are able to. The wide open apertures can be harder to nail the focus in low light.
Don't be afraid of getting super close to a window... and move your subject around until you can see the catchlights. I can't tell you the times we'll just be sitting somewhere and I'll look in one of the kids' eyes and say, "don't move, you have the most amazing catchlights right now!" LOL I've learned where I can find the pockets of good light in my house... and now can spot "good light" more easily in other places.
And some folks just work better using a tripod at all times, especially in low light.
Not sure how helpful I was!

[katrinak]

Love Kim's advice! My son knows that when I say let's go to our picture spot that he needs to run to the front door and angle himself between the West facing front door and the South facing windows.

...sad I know

[KayM]

Hi Jodi! Hi Patty!! Waving wildly back!! hahaha!!

Thanks guys for the information about the lightsphere! I will definitely be checking that out!

And Kim you were very helpful! Thanks bunches! I have had the aperture wide open. I'll try stopping it down a bit and see if that helps. And I'll start casing the joint for the lightest areas

I appreciate all of the help everyone. When I get that great shot with the perfect catchlights I'll share!

Kay

[sam ellis]

Well ok so I didn't get to catch the camera.. man all of you with your great advice. Why didn't you tell her she bought a rubbish camera .. ? huh ? I thought you were all my friends ..

and Cassie don't worry I am a GREAT catcher.

ps catchlights are the ultimate and you CAN see them through the lens. It is all about light and angles that the light catches the eye. So simply make sure your subject is facing the source of the light and voila.