Making pics with Optio 330GX inside

I am a new owner of the Pentax Optio 330GS camera. I have a question about how to better make pictures with the camera inside? The pictures come out a bit too dark or for example if I make pictures on a show, then they come out too yellow. Which settings would you suggest?

So far I love the pics which are made outside with the natural lightening, but not very happy with the ones inside. It's like there is not enought flash.

Any suggestions are welcome!!

Hi Enya!

The flash in small cameras does not have enough power to reach a stage, for example. They are designed for taking photos of people standing in front of you (mostly).

I do not have a 330GS, but the principles are the same: use a higher ASA setting (if you have one). My digital camera has 800ASA which is fine for museums and shows. Turn off the flash - it will not help. In addition, you may try different "white balance" settings. Auto usually works fine, but indoors you may need to select one of the indoor settings to get the colour right (depending on whether they are "strip lights", or bulb lights - they have different colours).

I would suggest you try the settings you have on the 330GS at home - in the kitchen, or the lounge, and see what results you get. Just try it out first, then when you need to take proper photos you will know what to do!

I hope that helps,
Matt

I am not familiar with ASA, but I guessed that it's close to ISO. My camera has Auto, 100, 200 and 400. On the regular camera I would use 400 film in cloudy surroudings.

Max I could put on Pentax was 400, I tried without flash (but it was more or less close up) and it came out a bit fuzzy.

So, do you suggest to use 400 setting in indoors?

Edited to add: I tried making pics and the best quality came out with flash on 100.

Enya,

Yes, ISO 400 would be best for indoor shots without flash. However, you probably will still need to hold the camera VERY steady - otherwise it will be blurry.

You are right, the best quality will be at 100 with flash - but only if the subject is close enough. For instance, if you try to take a photograph of your whole street at night with a flash, almost nothing will be correctly exposed. Try it - anything further than about 2 or 3m away will be dark or black. However, try on 400 without flash (holding the camera very steady, preferably or on a tripod/minipod) and you should get a good photo. Try it

Have a look here: http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/night to see some digital images at night (taken with tripod). Also http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/noisereduction to see some indoor photos at 400 (flash was prohibited, and I know would not have worked anyway).

Be aware, that you still need to hold the camera steady. Bracing your elbows on your chest will help.

You may want to take a look at www.webphotoschool.com for some photography tips (the ones about white balance and indoor no flash photography are for those who've paid a subscription). There may be something of interest and use in there.

Hope that helps!
Matt

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, I will try them. And the Photo School is exactly what I was looking for.