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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> I feel like a MORON
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 07/28/2011 01:38:33 PM · #1
So, a buddy and I were out shooting in a scenic location this weekend, and night was beginning to fall. I was a little nervous because everytime I take a shot at sunset lately it looks cartoonish and full of noise. In fact, in the photo tutorial challenge, that is what most people said about my shot. . .lol. But, I figured I would try it again. Luckily an old-timer was out there shooting, and he asked me about my ISO setting. Of course I had been leaving it on Auto. . .believing it would self adjust for the conditions. MOOOOOOORON. This gentleman kindly pointed out that I had to adjust it manually, or else I would get the huge noise issues I had been having. I adjusted it, and the difference is startling. I have only been shooting again seriously for about 7 months, and before that it was a five month stint with a huge break between then and now, but I am amazed at what I don't know. LOL.

Sigh.
 07/28/2011 01:59:25 PM · #2
One of those "Duh" moments, eh? We all have them.


07/28/2011 02:17:40 PM · #3
Things I always forget to set back:

ISO setting
Exposure compensation
Bracketing, though this one I set after the confusion of getting weirdly exposed shots
 07/28/2011 02:20:49 PM · #4
looking forward to your next sunset shot.
 07/28/2011 02:20:59 PM · #5
Don't forget to use your Long Exposure Noise compensation as well.
 07/28/2011 02:22:15 PM · #6
I always forget bracketing, i have missed so many shots because of that.
 07/28/2011 02:29:05 PM · #7
Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:
Things I always forget to set back:

ISO setting
Exposure compensation
Bracketing, though this one I set after the confusion of getting weirdly exposed shots


I've finally gotten into the habit of checking everything before I go out shooting. I turn my camera on to make sure I have the battery in it (didn't one time...), make sure I have a card in it, check the ISO, the exposure compensation and the bracketing turned off. Oh, and make sure I'm on aperture priority.

It only took me about 6 years to get into the habit. :D
 07/28/2011 02:32:02 PM · #8
A very simple rule I follow. Before I leave my house, I take a picture of something in the house. If it looks right, chances are my settings are ok. Sometimes you even forget you had your card removed from the camera. Take one shots before you leave home and it will save you a lot later on.
 07/28/2011 02:35:24 PM · #9
Originally posted by nightpixels:
A very simple rule I follow. Before I leave my house, I take a picture of something in the house. If it looks right, chances are my settings are ok. Sometimes you even forget you had your card removed from the camera. Take one shots before you leave home and it will save you a lot later on.


That's one thing I had to change immediately when I first bought the camera. Turn off shoot without card!! I missed so many good shots... :(
 07/28/2011 02:38:55 PM · #10
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by nightpixels:
A very simple rule I follow. Before I leave my house, I take a picture of something in the house. If it looks right, chances are my settings are ok. Sometimes you even forget you had your card removed from the camera. Take one shots before you leave home and it will save you a lot later on.


That's one thing I had to change immediately when I first bought the camera. Turn off shoot without card!! I missed so many good shots... :(


Ditto, that setting saved me a few headaches.

I've got as far as turning the camera on before I leave to check the battery level and shots remaining (to make sure I have a card). Still forget the rest from time to time.
 07/28/2011 02:42:06 PM · #11
Originally posted by franktheyank:
Don't forget to use your Long Exposure Noise compensation as well.


Set my what? I have a Canon 1000D, maybe I do not have that tech, as I don't remember reading it in the manual. . .where would I find this setting?
 07/28/2011 02:50:50 PM · #12
Originally posted by crowis:
Originally posted by franktheyank:
Don't forget to use your Long Exposure Noise compensation as well.


Set my what? I have a Canon 1000D, maybe I do not have that tech, as I don't remember reading it in the manual. . .where would I find this setting?


While I'm not knowledgeable about that particular model, recent Canon's have this feature. Go into your menu, custom settings, image, scroll down to find it. You should also be able to find your mirror lockup settings there. Just remember if you use the Long Exposure Noise compensation that the camera will double the time you set to do it's thing.
 07/28/2011 02:55:46 PM · #13
Sooooooo you increased your skills in one second.
 07/28/2011 02:56:13 PM · #14
The thing I usually overlook is when I have changed the exposure compensation and shoot a stop darker than I should.
07/28/2011 04:04:57 PM · #15
Originally posted by kenskid:
Sooooooo you increased your skills in one second.


Yep. Or, at least my picture quality, which in the end amounts to the same thing. LOL.
 07/28/2011 04:12:12 PM · #16
I tend to use manual mode with auto-ISO turned off to help with such problems. While you can get fine shots in other modes, nothing makes you pay attention like having to make a complete exposure decision (Aperature, Shutter, and ISO) for each shot.

Each person has to find what works for them, but Auto-ISO and the two priority modes (never mind full auto!) are making decisions for for you every time you press the shutter -- and if you do not pay attention the camera may make the right decision.

Manual mode (hopefully) forces you to notice things such as using 1/15s may not be the best shutter speed to use handheld at 200mm :)
 07/28/2011 04:20:22 PM · #17
As far as bracketing goes...on the Canon 7D there is a setting that you can change that automatically turns off (resets) the auto bracketing the next time you shut off and turn on the camera. You can set it to either remember that it was on and leave it that way or start normally with single exposures.

Probably on other cameras as well, but at least that one setting shouldn't be a bother to 7D owners.

Dave
 07/28/2011 04:52:38 PM · #18
As an alternative, if you decide you do want the ISO higher for that particular shot (see this thread) then you really can save a LOT in post processing by using a noise reduction plug in.

I use Topaz DeNoise but have also used others that worked really well. They tend to really help a noisy shot (much more than the built in noise reduction features in Lightroom or Photoshop).

What I do is set my camera's settings on a maximum auto ISO. Now the max is set at 1600 but sometimes I'll change it to higher or lower, depending on where & what I'm shooting. You can always override for any shot but the "auto" won't exceed that limit.

Message edited by author 2011-07-28 16:53:57.
 07/28/2011 07:46:00 PM · #19
For those that have the capability, manually situationally dependent preset settings are the way to go!
 07/28/2011 09:02:56 PM · #20
The higher grade cameras just give you an extra couple of thousand new ways to screw up shooting simple scenes that would look great, even shot with a point n' shoot. You do have to remember the card though. I did that a couple of days ago, and fortunately it was nothing important that I was shooting. And as Wendy said, I did set the option to not shoot with the card out after that goof.
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