Avoid these pitfalls
1: It's a complete blur
Pitfall explanation
This photo has all the earmarks of a great family moment. The white balance is warm, but we've come to expect that from candlelit ambience. Unfortunately, nothing in the shot is in focus, either because the camera set the shutter speed too slow or because it couldn't autofocus in the low light.
This photo has all the earmarks of a great family moment. The white balance is warm, but we've come to expect that from candlelit ambience. Unfortunately, nothing in the shot is in focus, either because the camera set the shutter speed too slow or because it couldn't autofocus in the low light.
Can this photo be saved?
No. Once a photo is this severely out of focus, there's no amount of sharpening that can save it.
No. Once a photo is this severely out of focus, there's no amount of sharpening that can save it.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Use the flash. I'm not a big fan of flash photos, but for dimly lit, indoor snapshots, it can make the difference between a hit and a miss.
Tip 2: Use a tripod. Slow shutter speeds result in naturally softer photos, no matter how steady your hands are.
Tip 3: Focus manually. If your camera supports it, bypass the autofocus entirely. In low light, it'll probably work more quickly and be more accurate.
Tip 4: Use a scene mode. For special lighting such as this, don't leave your camera on Auto--it will probably make the wrong decisions. Check your camera's manual for modes designed to shoot low-light portraits.
Tip 1: Use the flash. I'm not a big fan of flash photos, but for dimly lit, indoor snapshots, it can make the difference between a hit and a miss.
Tip 2: Use a tripod. Slow shutter speeds result in naturally softer photos, no matter how steady your hands are.
Tip 3: Focus manually. If your camera supports it, bypass the autofocus entirely. In low light, it'll probably work more quickly and be more accurate.
Tip 4: Use a scene mode. For special lighting such as this, don't leave your camera on Auto--it will probably make the wrong decisions. Check your camera's manual for modes designed to shoot low-light portraits.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: A camera with decent low-light focus, image stabilization, or low noise at high-ISO settings, plus a lens wide enough to fit the whole family in the picture.
Suggested models:
What it takes: A camera with decent low-light focus, image stabilization, or low noise at high-ISO settings, plus a lens wide enough to fit the whole family in the picture.
Suggested models:
Additional resources
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
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