Getting better 'nightlife' photos

galwayguy85

Hi Guys

I have a Canon EOS 600D with the 50mm f1.8 lens. Tends to get some good photos!

I'm enjoying taking it out for work social parties and then sharing the results with my colleagues etc.

I often find though that a good share of my shots can be very grainy and some out of focus. Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop can sometimes help.

Is there any particular accessory such as a flash that would help me improve these shots?

I'm a bit of a noob, so any guidance is appreciated.

Here is a link to the kind of shots I'm getting at social/night life situations...

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1w0q5cxrzfrr7ba/AAB8dz9P2PmMgykS87ukRZyta?dl=0

Myksyk

Yep, indoor without flash with moving people is going to be a struggle. Good candid shots there but the camera is having to open wide for longer lengths of time (slow shutter speed) to try get more light on the sensor leading to blurring. The graininess is coming from the camera pumping up the ISO as well to make the sensor more sensitive to light. Solution is generally in getting some controlled diffused light into the equation - basically a flash with diffuser of some sort. The result will be sharper, less noisy photos. Not the easiest thing in the world though ... using flash well takes practice and patience!

penev10

I've the same camera and lens. Got the 270 exII flash and it makes a big difference over the built in flash. Use a diffuser too, helps make things look more natural.

galwayguy85

Thanks guys, I feel better informed now.

@penev10 do you have any pics on boards that demonstrate the camera/lens/flash setup you have?

Rainbowsend

Take control of your ISO, if you leave it on auto then the camera
will just bump it up to mad levels to get the shot. Use manual settings
or if you are not comfortable with fully manual then use aperture or shutter
Priority. With 1.8 lens you should be able to get good shutter speeds.

AnimalRights

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.806759922714582.1073741864.382407588483153&type=1

I photograph club stuff and the above were shot in less than an hour so a rush job...

for posed group shots (2 or more) I use these settings mostly

430EX flash, 1/25 shutter speed and about 5.6 - 6.3 aperture with pattern mode auto ISO and ai focus

(I use a slow shutter speed for more vibrant colours and so it's not to bland from an obvious flash 'overkill' shot)

galwayguy85

Those shorts are certainly pretty sharp. I'd be going for shots with a shallower depth of field for more of 'portrait' type look, as hard as that may be in dark and crowded bar or nightclub.

Can still see though much the flash helps.

Homer

Be careful with shallow depth of field for group shots though as you will invariably get people out of focus with shall depth of field & group shots

Zillah

Homer wrote: »

Be careful with shallow depth of field for group shots though as you will invariably get people out of focus with shall depth of field & group shots

But but it goes to 1.8

Homer

and I've an 85mm that goes to 1.2 lol

CabanSail

You are shooting in very challenging conditions. Low light always takes a lot of thought. Learning about Light and Exposure is probably the best thing you can do to improve things, that way you will be able to get the most out of whatever gear you have to use. This does not involve much money but it does take time and effort but pays for a long time into the future.

Having gear more suited to the task also helps. This can be Flash, but it has drawbacks as well in that it can flatten images and washes out the available light. Using Flash with skill and in a creative way also takes a bit of education too. Moving to a camera with a larger sensor also makes a big difference with noise performance at high ISO's, but this is quite an expense.

defrule

You should try a 2nd curtain flash.