Tips for photographing inside
As outdoor photographers, we often find ourselves doubling as travel photographers, which means that sometimes we end up shooting inside. And since we outdoor types like to light and fast, we don’t always carry extra strobes or additional lighting equipment that the indoor guys like to schlep around.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to put your camera away when you duck out from under the outside world, in fact, as we all know, there’s a world of great photo opportunities to be had behind closed doors. Knowing how to make the most of lower light conditions can open up a host of new possibilities. Here are a few tips to help you deal with lower light situations.
ISO Setting: The easiest way to deal with dim light is to crank up the ISO on your digital camera. We all know that, just as with film, there is a trade off with higher grain and noise, which tends to build up in the shadows and darker midtones. Fortunately, though, digital camera sensors have improved to the point where shooting at ISO 6400 is a viable option with some bodies.
Fast Lenses: Fast lenses are invaluable when shooting inside. This is when those 50mm f1.4 lenses really shine, and in fact, every photographer should own at least one lens that has a maximum aperture of f1.4 or f1.8. In dim conditions, speed is worth more than gold.
Wide Angle Lenses: As I just mentioned, having the right lens can make all the difference in certain photo situations. Wide angle lenses offer a distinct advantage in lower light conditions because, with their reduced magnification, they allow you to use slower shutter speeds without getting camera shake. You’re generally able to hand hold your camera at shutter speeds that are the same speed as the focal length of your lens. With a 28mm lens, you’re looking at around 1/30 sec., which will get you pretty good results inside, as long as your subjects aren’t moving.
VR/IS Lenses: Vibration Reduction and Image Stabilization lenses use gyroscopic sensors and stabilizers to reduce camera shake and produce sharper images when you use slower shutter speeds. The technology is usually used in telephoto and zoom lenses. They’re generally more expensive than non VR/IS lenses, but they permit you to hand hold at shutter speeds of three to four stops slower than normal, again, as long as your subjects aren’t moving. They’re great for shooting in dark streets, cathedrals and tapas bars.
Brace Your Camera: The most obvious way to brace your camera is to use a tripod. However, there are times when using a tripod is either not practical, or not permitted. In these situations, you can make use of small lightweight tabletop supports, like the Gorillapod, or you can brace your camera by either holding it tightly against your body with your elbows tucked in to your chest. Stand as still as possible and exhale slowly before pressing the shutter release. You can also try bracing the camera against a wall, post, column, doorframe, table, your knee, a stick or even the ground. You might have to get creative when looking for options, some of which may not even allow you to look through the viewfinder. Such methods may even lead to exciting new vantage points that you might not have considered.
The last option is flash photography, but I’ll cover that more in depth in a future post. Until then, brace well and have fun shooting indoors! Have your own indoor shooting tips? Let us know- post your ideas below.
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Dan Bailey is a professional adventure, outdoor and travel photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Follow his own blog at danbaileyphoto.com/blog and see his daily updates at facebook.com/danbaileyphoto.
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