Thread: taking halloween pictures

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so i am loading some of my pictures onto my computer and i see that they just did not come out very well. i have a digital camera, i think it's a cannon. but anyway, the lights are rather blurry and not very clear. i used the flash with them,should i not do that? these are outdoor photos. some of these photos are recent and others are at least 2 years old.. so any advice on future picture taking..

If your camera has 'scene' settings, make sure you use them! Night mode doesn't always work, depending on the artificial/natural lighting there is. It might take a while to get used to them, so have a play around with them before any major events.

If it doesn't have these modes, I'd suggest saving up for one that does. My camera has modes, my other half's doesn't; and you can't do much with it.

The flash will work if the subject is up close(though it will ruin any 'eerie lighting' pics you are trying to take), but if they're further than a few feet away, it does nothing for the picture.

The flash will work well for trying to show how something is built, but will ruin an "as displayed" look. I would suggest the night mode (you might have a button or dial that shows a moon and star). The night mode tells the camera it is dealing with very little light. To compensate for the lack of light the camera might take 2 or 3 seconds to take a picture. The camera has to sit perfectly still during the shot or picture will come out blurry. Try and set your camera on a table top or something solid during the shot. You will not be able to hold the camera still enough in your hands.

Even if you don't have a night mode I would still set your camera on a hard surface, without a flash, and see it that improves the image.

It was suggested to me by a person who went to school for photography to make sure I put the camera on a tri pod. I didn't think it would make a difference but she assures me it will. She said that sometimes a tiny amount of movement can make a huge change in your pics, especially if you are using the night type setting. She said it may feel weird dragging a tripod around the yard taking pics but end the end the picture quality would make up for it.

Too bad I didn't get this tid bit of advice until after my 3rd year of blurry Halloween shots. LOL

I have a Canon too - the best settings I've found (as I know NOTHING) about digital photography is setting it on M for manual and using a tripod. NO FLASH. The props look like they do in reality - -not either too dark or washed out by flash. Check my pics and see if you like them. The tripod is a necessity though. I bought one for $20 at Best Buy but you can probably find them cheaper. The important thing is that the camera can't shake. I literally press the button and jump back - so I don't rock the camera at all. The aperture has to stay open longer to absorb any available light...I hope it works for you. Trying taking pictures in your front yard now for starters - it'll get you ready for Halloween!!

As others have said, the best thing you can do is use a tripod and turn off that flash

You wouldnt know by looking at the pictures I have in my albums here because I was rushing to take most of my pictures of my haunt. However, I do crime scene and most of my scenes are at night. A tripod or stable surface is a must for night shots. If you have manual settings on the camera, read up on them and practice with it. Being a digital camera you can take tons then delete them. I play with my cameras frequently. I am actually going to a week long digital photography school in Feb and cant wait.

thank you sooo much guys, i put a few photos in my album,only the ones that didn't make me dizzy to look at. LOL. i am sure i have these settings i just need to take a look.. the photos that are posted here are very good, and then you have mine..the good thing is , the bad photos are only the ones taken at night. so i have narrowed the problem.. thanks again, i would never have looked for settings. i guess i am having a brunette moment

It may be worth setting up a few of your props and experimenting with lighting etc and taking a few test shots before the big night. Experiment with lighting and take plenty of pics from different angles..That's the beauty of digital cameras. No expensive film wasted.

I don't know about you, but on Halloween night, I'm so busy and wrapped up in the haunt that I often forget to take pics!!

One very important word...TRIPOD! There is no other way to take great halloween pictures and pictures of glowing pumpkins. Check out some in my photo albums. Also if you dont have a built in setting for night pictures in your camera, buy your self a light meter.