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The amazing features of the new Cybershot RX100 digital camera.
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If you can see it, you can photograph it. As long as there is enough light to illuminate your subject — even if it’s very dim — you’ll be able to get your shot.
Here is a lovely twilight setting, let's look at ways to capture the best images and take advantage of available light.
Don't necessarily use a flash
An electronic flash provides plenty of light but the result (below) can look unnatural with hard shadows. The evening light is rendered much too dark.
Increase the light getting into your photo
Compared to taking photos in a well-lit scene, there are three ways of compensating in low-light situations. You may need to take your camera out of automatic mode in order to control these settings. Although each will help you get a great low-light photo, each has other potential effects so it's best to balance their use.
- Increase the exposure time/ slow down shutter speed: the longer the shutter is open, the more light can get in. A longer exposure can result in blurry photos, so you may want to use a tripod or support your arms on a table, tree, lamp-post etc. Steady the camera against the object and press the button gently to take the photo. Sometimes it helps to hold your breath until the photo is taken. Sony cameras have a feature called Steady Shot Inside to help keep photos sharp.
- Use a wider aperture: If possible, use a wide-angle setting or open the aperture of the lens when taking the photo. Compared to a telephoto setting, much more light will be able to come through the lens. This will affect how much of the photo can be in focus.
- Increase the ISO: Use High Sensitivity mode (on Cyber-Shot cameras) or increase the ISO setting to 400, 800 etc (on manual cameras). This setting controls the amount of light that reaches the sensor of the camera and is recorded in the photo. On some cameras this can increase the amount of noise--coloured speckles where there shouldn't be any. Sony cameras have extra sensitive sensors so you can increase the ISO more than on other cameras without a noticeable effect.
Try combining these setting changes and techniques to improve your low-light photography.
Composition means arrangement: putting together elements to make a whole. Just as speakers of a language must learn to put words in order to communicate verbally, photographers must learn to arrange the elements of their photos in order to communicate visually.
Good composition feels right when you look at the finished photograph. The eye and the mind have a preference for certain arrangements. When this arrangement is present in a photograph, the viewer's eye will stay in the photograph longer.
When you're taking a photograph, try not to think about just the objects in the photo. Try to look more 'abstractly' at the scene and recognise shapes, shadows, forms, lines etc. This is a skill that can be cultivated over time with practice. Although no one can give you the rule to follow in any given scenario (there are simply too many possible scenes to photograph--that's what makes photography so special!), there are some principles you can start to think about that will improve your composition. Looks out for these visual elements in your photos, and remember to take lots of photos. When you look back over your photos, compare the compositions and see the effect of each.
Converging Lines
Look for converging lines such as roads, railway lines, paving stones, railings and shadows. These lead the eye across the picture and into the distance, making for a more dynamic shot. This technique often works well in a wide-angle photo.
Rhythmic elements
Try to find repeating or rhythmic elements such as anything in rows – people, trees, cars – or any repetitious arrangement. These patterns are restful to the eye, but the slight variations make the composition lively and interesting. This works well with photos taken in telephoto mode or taken with a long (telephoto) lens that allows a far-away view.
Overlapping elements
Overlap elements in the scene to partially hide your subject – creating a sense of mystery. You’ll also notice a greater sense of depth – space receding into the picture. This works well with photos taken in telephoto mode or taken with a long (telephoto) lens that allows a far-away view.
Framing
Use frames within the picture: trees, people’s arms, doorways – these are all framing devices which concentrate the viewer’s attention on the point of interest. Sometimes adjusting your position only slightly is all it takes to use one object to frame another.
There's something about a great portrait that really captures the viewer's imagination. This is handy because people are a plentiful subject and provide lots of possibilities. Whether you're a novice portrait-shooter or a seasoned hand, here are some ideas for trying something new with your people photos that might help you get the images you're looking for:
1.) Take lots of shots
This is a good rule for all digital photography. The more shots you take, the greater the chance that you will get one or two exceptional images in the bunch. When it comes to portraits, this is especially important because the smallest shift in facial expression or eye contact can make a very dramatic difference in the final photo.
2.) Change up the angles
Don't always shoot someone straight on. This is what most snapshots are, and the resulting photos are usually not very interesting or notable. Try shooting your subject from above, underneath, or from the side. We're not as accustomed to viewing others from these angles, so the results are more visually interesting.
3.) To make eye contact or not?
Consider variations in the eye contact of your subject. Sometimes it is very powerful to have the subject looking directly at the camera. The viewer of the image can connect with the subject easily that way. However, many subjects feel uncomfortable when looking directly at the camera and, as a result, their facial expressions look uncomfortable. Try having them look at the side of the camera, at something behind you/the camera, at the ceiling or floor. Often this allows people to relax enough to get a natural expression that can be more compelling to look at.
4.) Get uncomfortable with strangers
Often we photograph our families or ourselves because they are the subjects that are always around and easily accessible. It's easy to fall into the comfort of the familiar, but you may end up with a lot of portraits that look similar or rely on your interaction with the subject. Ask to photograph acquaintances or strangers (be certain to ask permission first, it is only polite!). It may feel uncomfortable, but it's this discomfort that will force you to rethink how to shoot the photo and could result in some stunningly different images.
5.) Compose a masterpiece
Composition is important in all photos, but don't get hung up on 'the rules' when it comes to portraits. Sometimes giving your subject 'room to breathe' in the photo may look best. Other times, cropping in tightly on their face or a part of their face may make a better shot.
You may also want to consider using a camera with portrait-enhancing features built in. Some of Sony's latest cameras feature Auto Portrait Framing which uses a face-detection software to identify the face in your portrait and suggests well-balanced crops that may help your portraits look like the professionals'.