A few of you asked me to
share the camera settings I used
to re-shoot my dining room.
Once again, I don’t know where my head was.
I should have done that in yesterday’s post.
So here goes…
This is the picture I shot the first time on the Auto setting.
(I must be nuts to keep publishing this awful picture…)
I was facing into the window on a bright day.
When I took the picture I knew it was way too dark.
Since I had no idea how to fix that I just went with it
and tried to edit out the darkness.
By doing that it became very grainy and blurry.
(I edited in Picasa using the Fill Light tool.)
So yesterday I emailed my buddy Terry for advice.
She got her DSLR camera a few weeks before me.
She has learned how to do EVERYTHING
and has totally left me in the dust.
Here is the email I sent:
Hi,
Sorry to bother you…I want to reshoot a few of the pictures of my dining room.The first time around they came out too dark…then when I lightened them they turned out grainy.Terrible.
Its sunny right now and there’s snow on the ground so it’s bright.
I have to face into a window.
Can you tell me the best camera settings to use?
From your camera-challenged friend,Ann
She replied:
Hey Ann,
Try ISO 200, aperture around 5, and then let the camera pick the shutter speed. So start in “s” mode or “m”. I’ll be here so let me know. We can tweak it.
We did tweak it by bumping up the ISO to 400.
(I still have no idea what that really means.)
As you can see by these 2 photos her advice was spot on.
Terry has a Photo Advice page on her blog that’s very helpful.
I told her that what I really needed was a cheat sheet.
A simple list of different conditions
and the correct camera settings to get the right shot.
I may have planted the seed…
at least I hope so!
If you want camera settings for a specific condition tell me in the comments.
I’ll pass them on to Terry.
Oh yes please! I need a cheat sheet too! I have a brand new camera and no idea how to use it! … But your dining room is so pretty, it looks great in all the shots!
OK…I am going to try this Ann. I still have no clue how to work my camera…thank you, we need cheat sheets.
Ann, you're cracking me up. I'm glad I didn't share anything personal in that email, lol. I'm so glad that it worked out for you, but to be fair, you knew to up your ISO all by yourself once you saw the results of the 200ISO. :) You're not giving yourself enough credit.
But I guess I'd better get busy on a cheat sheet, huh. xoxo
wow tahts great, we have a new camera and I know nothing about them, its all greek to me , I said it before but thats a lovely dining room, beauiful.
Acheat sheet would be great,
Hi Ann, thanks for the info. I've finally learned the technical terms but I'm still experimenting with getting a good shot. Your dining room is so pretty and the first shot wasn't that bad, but the second time was really a great shot. Thanks for sharing this. I think a cheat sheet would be a great idea.
I am so on it today when taking pics of the house. You made it sound so easy. Proof is in the pudding!
What a huge difference that made! That 2nd pic looks the best to me. I'm sure you're going to just have to learn as you go. You'll be a master in no time!
Sign me up for that sheet too. I've gathered a few tips on pinterest under 'camera'. I'm making my way through all the suggestions :-)
Ann, What a difference in the photos! I am taking a much needed photography class next month titled "take the setting off auto".
xo, Sherry
Wow…I am so camera challenged. I just bought a Canon Rebel and although I have read the manual, I am not getting many pictures that look much different than my old camera. I am taking a little "course" on a site called It's Overflowing.blogspot.com. It is posted every Friday and you can go back to see previous posts. It is really great and keeps in mind that we are all new to this.
XO,
Jane
Ann, I know we both got our new cameras around the same time and I just told my Hubby yesterday "I think I have finally figured this thing out" I do think it takes a long time to learn a good camera, and you have to shoot lots of photos for it all to stick with you. Your photos are looking great so you must be doing something right:)
Amazing the difference it makes when you change the settings. Isn't it wonderful to have a friend that knows what they are doing? xo diana
Oh my goodness, It really is an amazing difference. Camera talk is all greek to me too. I would like to take a class someday and be able to take great pictures. Nice job!
There is a big difference between your photos…wow! I have no idea how to work my camera. I've had it for a few years & never take it off auto. What a shame!
I pinned this gals page!! :)
Nice! Great work! Thanks for sharing Joann
Your dining room make over looks beautiful. I love the blue and yellow.
Awesome!! LOVE the idea of a cheat sheet! Thanks, Ann. blessings ~ tanna
and thank Terry, too!!!
Ann, I struggle with practically each photo I take. I certainly could use lots of help with almost everything. I feel so lucky when a photo turns out well. Your dining room looks beautiful. The color of yellow is always a good choice in my mind. Not to be pushy but a gentle reminder that Tues. Is party time if you have time!——- Shannon
Wow! That is great. I had such a hard time taking photos of my dining room b/c of the light. But I do not have a fancy camera. I'd still like a cheat sheet just in case I ever do get one.
Have a great week!
Your photos are great! I need that cheat sheet and a good photography class!
xo Cathy
Wow what a difference! Great tip!
Hi, my name is Heather! Please email me when you can, I have a question about your blog!
HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi, my name is Heather! Please email me when you can, I have a question about your blog!
HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi, my name is Heather! Please email me when you can, I have a question about your blog!
HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com
I need a cheat sheet, too, I don't understand any of those words.
But I can see what a difference it made to change it.
Cindy
Oh, to have a cheat sheet…heck, oh, to have a better camera. lol. Working on that one. The last pictures are beautiful. Thank you for the visit and the sweet comment @TheDedicatedHouse. It means the world. Hope you have a grand day. Toodles, Kathryn
Well I used to have a photography business, so the advice you got was wonderful. I end up shooting a lot indoors with a 6400 ISO so I don't have to use a flash in a dark room, but that does make for a grainy photo. Getting a new camera tomorrow that is supposed to do well in low light situations. I too am tired of my own grainy photos, but since my city house is fairly dark on the inside, I don't have a lot of choices. Great job on your photos!!
wow! she is a good friend to have!! That is a remarkable for difference for even me, the untrained eye.
Your dining room is lovely! (and like you, I have no clue what those camera settings mean…lol!) My bro in law has taught me multiple times but my brain is just not retaining much of it *sigh*
What would we do without our bloggy friends? The difference between the two photos is amazing, and I know nothing about photography! I'm still waiting for a new camera so I will just learn about it from you (and your friend Terry!)
That is exactly what I need. I"m finding my SLR camera very frustrating. I mostly use it on the auto setting, because I haven't figured out how to do anything else. Your dining room looks amazing – love how light and fresh it looks.