What am I doing wrong?

[Electricseashell]

I have a Canon Powershot A400
It's the best I can do.. so I'm trying to work with it.

1. Taken setting automatic - so essentially point and shoot pretty true to color.


2. Taken on Manuel 0 exp ISO 200 VIVID (Note: had it set to cloudy)



With having noted that I had it set to cloudy when I'm shooting indoors, is that really going to make a difference in the colors? Why did it turn it to orange?

[solent]

I assume the pictures where taken under artificial lighting (probably incandescent light bulbs).

If so then, yes, the white balance setting will make a vast difference to the colour. Indeed , that's why the setting is there in the first place. It looks like your camera has a pretty good auto white balance, but I've learnt to always usea manual setting (and get used to checking it before shooting) which tends to prevent accidents when that camera screws up.

A good exercise is to go to different lighting setups (outdoors, incandescent, flourescent) and take the same shot with each of the cameras white balance settings in turn to see what effect it has on the image.

I notice also, that both shots have a lot of camera shake due to there not beng enough light and the camera selecting a longer exposure. If you want to do more such shots I would highly recommend getting a tripod (and also use the cameras self timer to prevent movement when pressing the shutter) and/or get some more light into the scene, either with more artificial lights or by shooting in daylight. If you go for the daylight options shoot out of direct sunlight. Covering the window with a white sheet or shower curtain will help to diffuse the light and hard direct light getting in.

[Electricseashell]

So I hope I'm understanding... correct please if wrong..

I need to redo my white balance when shooting manuel or I need to change the light ie. indoor outdoor or both?

I need to understand whats happening so I can adjust , I didnt use a flash for either one since my camera has a tendancy to over expose when shooting indoors. and really shows the movement as you picked out,
maybe I should set the manuel exposure to -1 or -2 and use the flash would that compensate for some of the motion? and some of the color?

[SteveB]

Use the macro setting when shooting the flowers, the camera can't focus this close without it.

[Arbib]

See Blue Text Link to my example: SC Gallery

Originally Posted by solent

I assume the pictures where taken under artificial lighting (probably incandescent light bulbs).

If so then, yes, the white balance setting will make a vast difference to the colour. Indeed , that's why the setting is there in the first place. It looks like your camera has a pretty good auto white balance, but I've learnt to always usea manual setting (and get used to checking it before shooting) which tends to prevent accidents when that camera screws up.

I experienced the same thing when I took a head shot in front of a Windowed Back Door. Even though he was a few feet away, the overhead kitchen light gave a slight green cast..it could be corrected. But, I didn't think the light would effect the shot..the light coming in the windowed door was fairly bright....live and learn...

A good exercise is to go to different lighting setups (outdoors, incandescent, flourescent) and take the same shot with each of the cameras white balance settings in turn to see what effect it has on the image.

I notice also, that both shots have a lot of camera shake due to there not beng enough light and the camera selecting a longer exposure. If you want to do more such shots I would highly recommend getting a tripod (and also use the cameras self timer to prevent movement when pressing the shutter) and/or get some more light into the scene, either with more artificial lights or by shooting in daylight. If you go for the daylight options shoot out of direct sunlight. Covering the window with a white sheet or shower curtain will help to diffuse the light and hard direct light getting in.

[solent]

Originally Posted by Electricseashell

I need to redo my white balance when shooting manuel or I need to change the light ie. indoor outdoor or both?

Always check your white balance setting, whatever mode you are shooting in. (Of course, if you're auto white balance does a good job then just leave it on auto, but my own experience with auto is not that good).

When you refer to manula above do you mean manual exposure? If so, then no it won't affect your need to set white balance, whether you shoot program, aperture priority, manual etc. White balance is not the same thing as exposure - white balance affects the colour 'caste' of the image. Exposure affects how light or dark the image comes out.

My reference to lighting was to try and reduce the motion blur/camera shake in the images, not related to white balance at all. You just need to make sure your white balance matches your current lighting conditions.