I need some help with taking this photo.

[maslex]

We're going on a cruise in just a couple of weeks and I'd love to get a good shot of each of my boys sitting in one of the portholes. Thing is, I've taken this shot before on other cruises and I just can't find a setting that will take a good photo. I usually get too much light coming in from the porthole and then the kids look really dark.

I know not to take the photo when the sun is beaming right into the porthole but not matter what time of day (unless it was dark outside) I can't seem to get the lighting right.

Mind you, I only have point/shoot cameras but I'm sure I could get a decent photo with them, no? I have a Canon Powershot D10 and my son will also be bringing his camera, Nikon P500. Can someone tell me if I need to put the camera on a certain setting to get this shot? I really need to take some photography classes, I swear. LOL

 

[photo_chick]

You have to get your camera to expose for the kids, not for the light coming in through the window. Some cameras will have a really hard time doing this in any of the auto modes. Check your camera's manual and see if it has any tips on what mode to use with your model when shooting back lighted subjects. Sometimes they will address it in there. But more than likely you will have to take the camera off auto and set the exposure manually to get the shot, if your camera allows for that.

 

[Twigs]

To expose for the kids as mentioned above, I would focus on something to the side of the kids (that is the same distance away) and then keep the shutter halfway pressed and recompose the shot. I can do this with my point and shoot camera. That way the camera is exposing for the inside light and not the light coming through the window.

 

[maslex]

okay, I'll give it a shot.

 

[handicap18]

Also try using the flash. If you can adjust the flash to make it not as bright that would be good. Don't know if you can do that or not with your camera. If not, maybe try putting a piece of TP (toilet paper) over the flash to diffuse it. TP is pretty thin and is small enough to hold for a few seconds over the flash as you take the picture.

 

[alloyd1170]

When using a flash you have to shoot at an angle to prevent the flash reflecting in the glass. I'm not familiar with you camera, but is there a way to control exposure (like a dial)? Check you manual. If so, take several shots and adjust the exposure (under or over exposing). Your camera may allow bracketing where it will take a photo under exposed, over exposed, and what it believes to be the right exposure.

If not, do what the others have said-expose for the children as that is the main focus.