A Tip to Better Low Light Photos

Some might say Taking low light photos are a PITA to do. But for off camera flash users, also called as "strobists", this is one of the most favorable times to take pictures. This is because you have total control over lighting the area. But for other types of photography, low light is really a problem.

The problem arises when you try to let as much light into your sensor, either by using a slow shutter speed,using a wide open aperture, or using a high ISO. A slow shutter speed might get you more light, but your shot will be blurry because of camera shake (aka your hand moving as you take your shot) and motion blur (aka your subject moving before you can end your shot). Using a wide aperture is nice, but if your using aperture priority, your camera might still choose a slow shutter speed and get the same blurry images. Using a High ISO, you'll get grainy pictures.  Using a combination of all is maybe your best shot but it doesn't always go your way.

Here are some things I do to get better shots:

1. Use a Tripod/Monopod - this will help you get rid of camera shake; best for landscapes

2. Use flash - may it be off camera or your on board flash, flash will stop your subjects' motion, as well as allowing you to use a faster shutter speed; Best for event photography

3. Use a higher ISO - I know  I said this will make your photos grainy, but just using the right ISO will give you a little more shutter speed, while minimizing the grain.

4. Shoot with a fast lens - this means a lens with at least an aperture of f2.8 and lower.  This means you get that extra f-stop to get a faster shutter speed

The shot above was from last night. I was on the top floor of our condo and taught I can do some nice photos. I forgot to bring my tripod, so this was done hand held. Its a pretty sharp photo, as I used the tips above (except for the tripod, duh). It was also sharp because I used a trick for shooting without a tripod. Here's the shot of the place with all ambient light, @ f/2 shutter 1/6 ISO 400

Not really a good shutter speed, camera shake was obvious and the light really sucked. Clicking the shutter as the exposure starts add more to shake.  I don't have the steadiest hads so that's not helping. So here is what I did:

1. Turn your timer on.  I used 10 secs for the shot above, but for people shots use the shortest time you have

2. Make sure you are in a stable position.  I was sitting for the shot above, but you can lean on a wall, or use anything to stabilize yourself. I also made sure I tucked my elbows in. 

3. Pre focus on your subject and then recompose your shot. Then change your camera/lens focus to Manual Focus.

4. Take the shot and stabilize yourself while the timer countsdown. If your subject is a person, count verbally as your timer counts down.   Make sure you do not move while the exposure is being taken.
This, of course, would really not be the best for people shots but if you have nothing to go for, you still have a way to take decent photos. And, for those who do not have fast lenses (I used a f1.8 lens for the shots here), I actually used f4.0 - f6.3 for the shot above and the ones below. You really do not need really expensive lenses, as long as you know how to use your gear correctly.  Here are more shots from last night.

 

 

Hope this helps you on taking better low light photos.  Keep Shooting!

IMO Review: Q Strap - The Knockoff that's better than the Original

Most great products nowadays have their counterpart "knockoffs" or for a better term, a cheaper alternative. For every Pocket Wizard there's an alternative Cactus trigger (actually there's prolly a little less than 10 that I can think of). Most of these are made in China, such as the Cactus triggers/flashes, lightstands, umbrellas you name it. Heck, even the original branded photographic supplies are most probably made in China.  There are even some Nikon lenses made in China. As the saying goes, God made the world, the rest was made in China.

But this doesn't mean that the cheaper alternatives from China (or anywhere for that matter) is not of good quality.  Some are equally as good. But I think the more pressing issue is copying something from the original and then selling it cheap, somewhat like piracy in the entertainment industry. But the product I am reviewing now is/could be an  exception.



Photo above is the Quick(Q)-Strap. It's basically a strap that is attached to your camera via the tripod mount and is worn like a sling. At first glance, you would probably say that its a cheap imitation of the R-Strap. But looking at it closely, and when using it, you will see that there are substantial differences. And in some points, it actually iis better than the R-Strap.

First the similarities. The Q is made of the same material as your regular camera strap and it feels like the same material used for the R-Strap. Even the metal used for the clip feels and weighs like they were from the same type of metal. The strap looks sturdy and could probably support more than 5 times the weight of an average camera. But the similarities end there.
The Pouch - the Q has a pouch for memory cards and what not, but its not as comfy for your shoulders as the R. Not a big deal, again as you'll only notice the difference after a few hours of continuosly wearing it.

The Clip - its prolly of the same metal alloy, but unlike the R, the Q only has a plastic lock that you slide into place to prevent the clip from accidentally being opened. To me that's a minor issue, as once the clip was attached, I have not removed it since. I just remove the mount from the tripod mount.













The Mount - the R has a unique mount called the FastenR2 that resembles a screw with a loop where the clip attaches to. The Q's mount is different as it is more of a screw that locks a piece of metal with a hole on one end where the clip is attached. The screw at the bottom also has a female tripod mount for easy attachmnt to a tripod, while the R, because of the mount design, doesn't. Both are pretty much locked into the mount. The clip rotates not the mount screw. Also heard reports of issues with the R-Strap when using a Vertical grip or when used with a D3 or a 1Ds as the FastenR pokes your pal while on vert. The Q-Strap is quite nice as the hook loop is at the side, which becomes the bottom of the cam when on vert position.

Wearing it - Both wears like a sling, with the lens pointing to your back. With the Q, because of the mount design, the lens moves a little to the front. The R is more of attached  to the middle of the camera and sits still almost always.  Sorry no photos of me wearing it. Just doing this in between a busy week. : )

Overall build Quality - The Q, as expected, is built a little less than the R.  The first day I used it some paint from the clip chipped off. The metal feels solid and looks like it will last along time. I have tried it on an event shoot and it saved me from so much stress, as the weight of the cam is not concentrated at your neck but to your shoulder and across your body. I used two cameras that day and I never felt a strain on my body.

For half the price, the Q - Strap maybe the best alternative to the original. This is not piracy, not even a knock-off. It's a different product that runs better in some ways than the original.

If you're in the Philippines, you can get the Q-Strap from JT Photo. Visit their site here and here for more details.