Question

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I know this is a very amateur-ish question but what can I do to limit the amount of light that my camera takes in when I'm taking a photo? I've been playing with my camera in manual mode and for example if I want to take a close up photo of a flower and have a shallow depth of field like using f2.0 it lets in a lot of light so then I adjust the shutter speed but it will only go as fast as 1/500 at f2.0. Is there something I can do to help not getting overexposed photos in the always too bright Texas sunlight?

 

[GryffinSong]

You only really have two controls. Shutter speed, and aperture size. f2 is a very large aperture size, and if you want to get a proper exposure at only 1/500 you really only have two options. Close down the aperture (in bright sunlight, perhaps f16, depending on ISO/ASA rating of your film. If you're shooting film, you can get slower film, such as ASA 64 instead of 400 or whatever you're using. If you're shooting digital, check to see if you can trick your camera into pretending it has an ASA film rating. My Nikon D70, for instance, has this feature and many more.

I hope this makes sense ... it's late and I'm tired.

 

[MarkEvan]

Strange that it will only go to 1/500th of a second, the next step would be to either close down the apperture a little (allthough consequently you will increase depth of field), or use the exposure compensation and take it down a stop and see whether that works. Hope that helps.

Mark

 

[sfs]

You can use a neutral density filter on your lens; it reduces the amount of light without changing the color. (You can often use a polarizing filter for the same purpose, plus it has other uses.) This assumes that your lens has threads for accepting filters -- almost all SLR lenses do.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Don't forget ISO.

 

[rdale]

What lens?

 

[sfs]

Don't forget ISO.

Yes, the first thing is to turn down the ISO as far as it will go.

 

[rdale]

I don't know what kind of camera/lens setup you're using so I'll just throw this out there. AFAICS all the basics have been covered here w\good advice and suggestions to check.

fwiw...:

How to Get Shallow Depth of Field in Your Digital Photos
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-get-shallow-depth-of-field-in-your-digital-photos/

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) (Paperback)
by Bryan Peterson
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding...4479368?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183505005&sr=1-1

Canon 50mm f/1.8 - $79.95
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=250314001&pf_rd_i=B00009XVCZ

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-Au...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1183505097&sr=8-2
same as above but also includes:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens
Opteka High definition² 3 piece filter kit - Ultra-Violet, Polarizing and Fluorescent filters
Collapsible rubber lens hood
Opteka lens cleaning kit & tabletop tripod
1 Year Canon USA warranty & 5 year extended warranty included
$109.95

 

[KatsuKobra]

Aperture Size would help

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I only have P&S Canon G2. I am using ISO 50. The only options I have for ISO are 50, 100, 200 and 400. I keep it on ISO 50 because I thought that was supposed to give me the best quality? When I changed to ISO 400 I still could not increase the shutter speed. With my camera I can only increase the shutter speed past 1/500 if I increase (or would the term be decrease LOL) the aperture so for example at f8.0 it'll go up to 1/1000. But then I've changed what kind of photo it is I wanted to take.

Guess I just need to try to get the XTi that I was wanting in order to be able to have more control over everything.

 

[sfs]

I only have P&S Canon G2. I am using ISO 50. The only options I have for ISO are 50, 100, 200 and 400. I keep it on ISO 50 because I thought that was supposed to give me the best quality?

ISO 50 should give you the best quality, and low ISO (= low sensitivity) is what you want if you are troubled by too much light.

When I changed to ISO 400 I still could not increase the shutter speed. With my camera I can only increase the shutter speed past 1/500 if I increase (or would the term be decrease LOL) the aperture so for example at f8.0 it'll go up to 1/1000. But then I've changed what kind of photo it is I wanted to take.

That's an unfortunate limitation of the G2: it can't get the iris fully open (for large apertures) with a fast shutter speed. You could get a neutral density filter for your camera, provided you buy the optional adapter ring (LA-DC58) first, but I'm not sure it makes sense to invest more in the camera if you'd really prefer an SLR.

 

[cristianna]

I know this is a very amateur-ish question but what can I do to limit the amount of light that my camera takes in when I'm taking a photo? I've been playing with my camera in manual mode and for example if I want to take a close up photo of a flower and have a shallow depth of field like using f2.0 it lets in a lot of light so then I adjust the shutter speed but it will only go as fast as 1/500 at f2.0. Is there something I can do to help not getting overexposed photos in the always too bright Texas sunlight?

I'm looking at your camera online through dpreview-- very nice camera by the way.

You have shutter priority (TV)-- have you tried doing that? I also see you have exposure adjustments (+/-). I've never used it for decreasing, but I'd say give it a try and see what happens.

Guess I just need to try to get the XTi that I was wanting in order to be able to have more control over everything.

You actually have quite a bit of control over your camera. The only "major" downfall I see is you don't have better iso options. I'm quite impressed with the G2!

I have the XT, a sister to the XTi. Really, there's very little difference between them considering the $$$$ difference. The only differences are the XTi has 10 instead of 8 megapixels, automatic sensor cleaning, a couple more autofocus sensor points and just another thing or two. The "upgrade" is very minimal imo. See if you have a local place that rental photo equip and rent the XT. I think you'll really like it.