Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:43 pm
1) If your subject is static use a tripod
2) If the subject moves use a flash
3) If you do not want to use a flash try the highest ISO that still gives acceptable results (probably 1600), you can get rid of some noise that may still be theren afterwards using photo-editing software
4) Use a wide aperture: 4.0, 2.8 or wider if you have lenses that make that possible, but beware that the depth of field will become very shallow
5) Use the longest shutter time possible, depending on the stability of the subject (e.g. for people 1/60). If youre lens is stabilised you can go up to 1/15 or even 1/8, but only with still subjects.
For a portrait I suggest iso 1600 and aperture 2.8, for a small group iso 1600 and aperture 4.0 or 5.6. If you use the AV (aperture priority) setting, after setting the ISO, just turn the wheel to see which shutter time the camera selects for a certain aperture. For people shots, if your widest aperture results in a shutter time longer than 1/30 I'd choose to further crack up the ISO or preferably then, use a flash.
Hope this helps. If it is an important shot, do some tests in advance...
Jeroen