Taking photos in low light with pocket digital camera

My pocket camera gives dark pictures with poor details. What should I do?

Pocket cameras have many limitations and yet, if used properly, these can give stunning pictures. In this post, we are limiting ourselves to low-light conditions. In many cameras, we find that pictures taken in dim light, even with flash, have poor details. Everything looks to have been enveloped by a bluish or grayish mist. If you use the computer’s photo viewing software to brighten it, the photo looks washed in white. Such problems can be overcome if you apply your mind to the available light while shooting.

Remember that poorly lit photos can be improved only marginally with an editing software such as Photoshop. So, do not think that loss of picture quality can be fully corrected by photoshopping it.

Use natural light; use all the available day light that you can. However, take care not to have too much light, especially too much of direct sunlight and reflected light [as near a snow-covered mountain].  

Usually go for multi-point focus. This will help the camera in calculating the correct auto settings based on the average light falling on the main object and its surroundings. if the main object is poorly lit and the background is bright, go for single point focus setting.

Take more than one shot of the same frame in three or more light settings. In most cameras, this multi-shot facility is in-built. Choose the best photo and discard others.

If there is low light, avoid focusing on a bright object. It will make the surroundings very dark.

Change partial settings. These are allowed in all cameras. Changing the ISO setting from the normal 100 to 200 will give you double the exposure; keeping the aperture to the lowest available value will give the maximum light to the lens; keeping the shutter speed to a low level [1/20 - 1/30 seconds] will give better light as compared to higher speeds. However, do not raise ISO to a high level or the photo will be grainy. Do not reduce the shutter speed below this level or the picture might shake.

If the camera has setting for over- or under- exposure, use that, but only by one or two stages.

Use flash even during day settings unless the main object is well lit. If ‘auto flash’ or ‘filler flash’ settings are there in the camera, use them.

When using flash in low light, go close to the main object. Flashes in pocket cameras are no effective beyond 7-8 feet.

In very dim light conditions, use night setting. However, be careful since even a slight shake of hand will spoil the photo. To avoid shake, use a tripod or at least keep the camera stationed on some solid platform.