Photography Question

[AmberLV]

I am wanting to take a picture from outside of my son looking out of the window (like he is watching for Santa) with the Christmas tree in the back ground. I just have a Canon PowerShot point and shoot camera. I've never used the manual setting. Are there any tips on things that I can do to make the picture turn out good?

[AmberLV]

nobody???

[Kim2002]

I've taken pics of my son looking out the window and it was fine. If you want the tree to show up, you may need to move it close to the window, otherwise it may not be visible.

Are you looking to photograph this in the evening or during the day? Cuz that would really help in making suggestions on how to do this.

[AmberLV]

I would really like to do it in the evening.

[Kim2002]

Well, how long do you think your child can stand still? LOL In low-light conditions, you'll need a high ISO and a wide open aperature (f-stop). I would try a few practice shots without your child just to see what the correct exposure would be. Try shooting at ISO 800 or 1600 with an f-stop as wide as you have available (F 3.5 would be good). Then adjust your shutter speed to get the correct exposure.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[AmberLV]

Thanks for the help! I can keep Will (fairly) still if I jump around and act a fool. I'll read up on my manual to figure out how to adjust those settings tomorrow during the football games! :lol

I actually did some practice pictures with DH tonight and this was the best I could get with my night time setting. With flash (and "Home Alone" expression)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/AmberLV/IMG_2398.jpg

And without flash (and pretend picking of the nose)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/AmberLV/IMG_2400.jpg

[Laura P]

are you using a tripod?

[AmberLV]

I didn't tonight b/c I didn't want to drag it out, but I will when I do the real pictures.

[Kim2002]

I would do without the flash, high ISO (800-1600), slower shutter speed (1/60) and try a wide open aperature (F3.5 or lower if you have it). You will then need to bracket from there - opening up your aperature even more OR slowing down your shutter speed more. You'll certainly need a tripod or other steady surface once you slow the shutter beyond 1/60 or else it will begin to blur.

[Pachimac]

I never could figure that out with people shots...I'll be reading this thread with interest myself! I am wanting to take a picture from outside of my son looking out of the window (like he is watching for Santa) with the Christmas tree in the back ground. I just have a Canon PowerShot point and shoot camera. I've never used the manual setting. Are there any tips on things that I can do to make the picture turn out good?