Ray,

It would help if you could tell us what you don't like about the results with your D50. It is important to get the best possible exposure under these limited light conditions; make sure to check the histogram on your lcd screen and adjust your exposure as needed. Also, if you shoot RAW, the images are going to need adjustments in a program like Photoshop. If you shoot jpeg, there would be less of a need for editing, but some will still be required. RAW gives you the best final image, but requires more decisions on your part than jpeg.

Frans Waterlander
pixographer

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm trying to locate that fine line between good exposure with no motion blur without using a flash. With stage lighting, using a flash hides the bright colors I'm looking to capture. Also if the band uses a smoke machine the flash reflects off the smoke causing the photo to have no contrast.

Ray

Here is a link to some samples I took.
http://members.aol.com/waycoolvideos/wcp/wcp_photo_page.htm

Ray

Best way to do it is to set the shutter speed to the slowest that doesn't show motion. Like 1/250 second. Then choose an aperture and ISO that works. I wouldn't go too high on the ISO and I predict you'll be shooting wide open and still may under expose. But the good news is that blown out highlights can't be recovered, but too dark shadows can.

After adjusting the resulting picture using levels, you can bring out more of the shadow details using the Shadow/Highlight filter available in both Photoshop and Elements.

Quote:
"Best way to do it is to set the shutter speed to the slowest that doesn't show motion. Like 1/250 second. Then choose an aperture and ISO that works. I wouldn't go too high on the ISO and I predict you'll be shooting wide open and still may under expose."

So is it best for me to set the camera to Shutter priority or be in manual all together? If manual how does one set the shutter speed? the command dial doesn't seem to do anything and I don't see shutter speed in the menu.

Ray

OK, stupid me, now I think I have an idea whats going on. I wasn't paying enough attention to the exposure display for different settings I was choosing. Now I understand what changes I can make to effect exposure and so on.

So I set up a candle and shot some close ups with no flash at different settings this time paying attention to the EXP display. So now I understand whats going on much better. I'll post some samples soon.

I feel like such a newbe

Ray

Ok here are some samples.

Ray

http://members.aol.com/waycoolvideos/wcp/wcp_photo_page_002.htm

Try ISO 400 125 and lower f/stop available.
Try, also shooting first in program mode, read the settings that the camera decided were good and if you like the results adjust for manual mode

http://community.dcmag.co.uk/photos/fotoingenios_gallery/category34710.aspx