Pictures At Night?

[DestinationDisney]

My Kodak CX7530 doesn't shoot very well at night. Even when I turn it to "night mode", everything blurs because of the lights. I've tried using it on auto mode and I still get similar results. I've also turned the flash off...sometimes that has helped, but mostly I wind up with blurry pictures.

How can I prevent this? Or is this because I'm using a cheap camera?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

When shooting at night, the biggest problem is that the "shutter speed" is longer. During the day, the duration of the photo is typically around 1/250th of a second. It's pretty easy to hold a camera still that long. At night, the duration of the photo is often a full second. It's VERY hard to hold a camera still that long.

The best thing for shooting at night is to use a tripod to hold the camera still. Of course, very few people want to lug a tripod around WDW. You have to get creative about ways to steady your camera. Perhaps you can set it on something?

You also have to be aware that during your photo, your subject may move. If your subject is someone you know, ask them to be as still as possible.

 

[DestinationDisney]

MarkBarbieri -

So if I try to steady the camera more, say by putting it on a wall or a steady object, do you think I should use my camera in "night mode"?

Or do you think it would be better to use in auto mode?

Thanks!!

 

[mhutchinson]

I second the tripod usage, anything that can steady the camera because of the length for the exposure. Plus if the camera has a timer built in to it then use that as well, similar to using a remote release on a dSLR/SLR. This will keep your hands away from the camera when the shutter releases and reduce camera shake as well.

Mike

 

[ukcatfan]

I saw a really interesting item called a gorillapod http://www.joby.com/

It is pretty inexpensive and looks like it could be put to really good use at WDW.

Kevin

 

[DestinationDisney]

Thanks for the recommendations! My camera does have a timer on it...so I'll have to give that a try. I think I'm going to fool around with it tonight and see how I do.

 

[DestinationDisney]

I saw a really interesting item called a gorillapod http://www.joby.com/

It is pretty inexpensive and looks like it could be put to really good use at WDW.

Wow, thats really neat! I wonder how exactly it works though...I don't see how it holds the camera up.

It says on the website that its sold at Best Buy...I just might have to go and check it out.

 

[Judge Fudge]

For what it's worth, you can try propping yourself up against an object like a wall, to help steady your hands. You can also use a garbage can, post, or whatever you can put your camera on top of.

On top of all that, I find that it's easier to keep steady when you pull a breath in as you pull the trigger. Good luck!

 

[DestinationDisney]

Thanks for the additional pointers!!

 

[manning]

As for the Gorillapod, there are two of them. The original for smaller cameras and the gorillapodDSLR or is it the DSLRgorillapod.

My Sony H5 is too heavy for the original.

 

[Chickysmom]

I saw a really interesting item called a gorillapod http://www.joby.com/

It is pretty inexpensive and looks like it could be put to really good use at WDW.

Kevin

These things look neat! Looks like the will be adding a couple others to their line this month as well....anyone have one of these? What do you think of it? It looks like it would be a great little tripod for toting around and using in all those akward pictures!