How to take a non-flash photo at night?

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grumpycompuprof

Senior Member
I tried to get a pic of my baby girl last night all occupying our bed alone, and tried manual mode, but 6400 ISO did not give me the result I was hoping for. Auto non-flash mode neither. Any suggestions? I'm new to the D5100 and my previous Sony Alpha did it nicely.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
grumpycompuprof said:
I tried to get a pic of my baby girl last night all occupying our bed alone, and tried manual mode, but 6400 ISO did not give me the result I was hoping for. Auto non-flash mode neither. Any suggestions? I'm new to the D5100 and my previous Sony Alpha did it nicely.
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So how did you do it with your Sony Alpha? Wouldn't you do the same with your Nikon D5100? My thinking is.....use a tripod, fast glass, and a slow shutter speed, and maybe an ISO of around 800. Try experimenting with a doll or something on the bed and the lighting conditions you want, and see what comes up. :)
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
Welcome grumpy

Why wouldn't you use flash it can be dialed down so as not to "burn" the image subject...

What light source did you use..What lens was used, if you have VR on it use it...If it doesn't have VR you may have to support the camera on a tripod...
You will need to put your ISO on no more then 800...If the image is under exposed you will make the noise worse
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
I think you need to tell us how much light you had to work with or was it pitch-black dark?? I would first suggest to get your lens as wide open as possible; therefore, perhaps the best thing to try, is A mode. Your shutter speed will be dictated by the camera. You can go auto ISO or try somewhere between 400-800. Put wite balance in auto. Try a few shots and see what works. From my experience, the photos will be a bit "soft" because you are not using flash. The 5100 is a master in low light. You just need to play around with your aperture and your shutter speed in order to let in the right amount of usable light.
 
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grumpycompuprof

Senior Member
Thank you so much for your responses. The room is pitch dark - only some light from adjoining bathroom. I'll play with your suggestions tonight and post if I get a good result. She is only 28 inches. long, but takes up space like an adult. I need that for posterity and her wedding album someday.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
grumpycompuprof said:
Thank you so much for your responses. The room is pitch dark - only some light from adjoining bathroom. I'll play with your suggestions tonight and post if I get a good result. She is only 28 inches. long, but takes up space like an adult. I need that for posterity and her wedding album someday.
Click to expand...

use a tripod then. try some long exposures , even 30 seconds and see what happens. You just have to get the right balance between the aperture and shutter speed. Also, use the timer on your camera as to reduce camera shake.
 
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Obir

Senior Member
I'd also add to try using "slow sync" option on your camera if it has it (if you're planning on using flash). The camera will try to balance any ambient light and the flash light this way.

Just my 2 cents.
 
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grumpycompuprof

Senior Member
D5100Shooter said:
I think you need to tell us how much light you had to work with or was it pitch-black dark?? I would first suggest to get your lens as wide open as possible; therefore, perhaps the best thing to try, is A mode. Your shutter speed will be dictated by the camera. You can go auto ISO or try somewhere between 400-800. Put wite balance in auto. Try a few shots and see what works. From my experience, the photos will be a bit "soft" because you are not using flash. The 5100 is a master in low light. You just need to play around with your aperture and your shutter speed in order to let in the right amount of usable light.
Click to expand...

This tip worked great. I got an awesome shot in no-light conditions. I'm not sure why it did not work before as I'm 100% sure to have thried this setting. Anyways, I greatly appreciate all your input and look forward to using my D5100. Now I just need to find some affordable spare batteries.
 
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