Getting clear in-focus shots without a flash...please help

[barbarino_atl]

A co-worker with more photography experience than myself suggested not using the flash - she said that natural light produces more realistic, warmer images. The problem I'm having, is that in low-light situations, the flash on my digital SLR pops up automatically - and when I switch to manual mode (or P mode on a Nikon D80), the images either don't come out because a) there is not enough light -- they come out pitch black or b) they're not as focused. Any suggestions on how to produce high quality images without a flash? What do pro photographers do to get a high quality image (ie: realistic and not flat) when using flash?

[flowremix]

welcome to the board. You should try to bump up your ISO higher and shot in apeture priority mode (A-mode) and shot wide open, your widest apeture, depending on your lense. I'm not really familiar with Nikon focusing, but i just leave my focus on autofocus. Read your manual too. It'll help you a lot.

One of the reasons why the pictures are flat are because of the pop up flash. Its too harsh a lot of the times. Pro photographers use off camera flashes with misc accessories whether they are difusers, umbrellas, and their technique is important too. I notice that a lot of people bounce light off walls to give pleasant shadows. Bouncing light off walls is a type of diffuser too i think. I'm not really sure. I'm sure someone will correct me. I'm dying to buy a flash. I'm still saving up for a canon 580ex with a transmitter too. Gosh. Hopefully that was helpful.

[readingr]

I think the real problem you have is that the auto focus doesn't work well in low ligh situations because there isn't enough contrast for it to define edges and hence focus.

In low light you will need to manually focus on the subject and as flowermix said use either A-mode (Av in Canon speak ) or go totally manual so that you can control speed and aperture.

I just got a 430Ex flash for my canon as the on camera flash is too harsh and then I bounce the 430 flash off walls, ceilings, reflectors... to get the effect I want. Still using manual mode for everything so that I know where the camera will be in focus.

Hope that helps.

Roger

[Loupey]

Since your images are dark/black when you switch to Manual mode, I'd say that your settings (shutter speed and/or aperture) are simply out of range. Probably set for outdoor settings. Check your shooting data on those dark images.

For general indoor shots with your pop-up, start with 1/60s at f/5.6 at ISO 400. You should see results - just not very pretty ones.

I agree with your friend, Roger, and flowremix - the built-in flash makes for some horrendous lighting when used as the main light. So to get realistic images in low light you really have 2 choices:

1) buy a large aperture prime and shoot with natural light only
2) buy a strobe that has tilt/swivel capability

Hope that helps. And welcome to PR!