Question about taking pictures of Home Theater - Blu-ray Forum

Rike255 · 12-29-2009, 06:47 PM

So I bought some new backlighting for my TV a little while ago and I want to take some nice pictures of it in action, however I know almost nothing about photography and when I turn off all the lights, turn on the TV, turn on the backlighting, and take a picture the result is an incredibly grainy, over-exposed, off colored image.

Does anyone know how to take good pictures of a situation like this? (ie: Bright light surrounded by dark background).

I have a standard pocket digital camera so none of that fancy SLR speak will help me.
I can provide a picture of what the failed image looks like when I get home from work in case I didn't describe this well.

Thanks in advance!

HAMP · 12-29-2009, 07:09 PM

You have a basic point and shoot digital camera. There will be a few people on here that can help you with some settings.

I can give you one important one for now and that is use a tri-pod, it does wonders.

Place the camera on the tri-pod and use the timer. Set the timer press the button and don't touch.

Fors* · 12-29-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

You have a basic point and shoot digital camera. There will be a few people on here that can help you with some settings.

I can give you one important one for now and that is use a tri-pod, it does wonders.

Place the camera on the tri-pod and use the timer. Set the timer press the button and don't touch.

I don't think you will get much better with the standard point and shoot camera with the backlighting. Take a look at my pics, the ones with the backlighting are also rather grainy, and I have a better camera than a standard point and shoot (although it is not an SDL or anything like that either.)

HAMP · 12-29-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I don't think you will get much better with the standard point and shoot camera with the backlighting. Take a look at my pics, the ones with the backlighting are also rather grainy, and I have a better camera than a standard point and shoot (although it is not an SDL or anything like that either.)

I know it's not going to be much better, maybe not even enough to matter, but it does help.

I don't know what level of ISO he has or what different light settings his camera can handle. he didn't give a model number.

When I had a point and shoot, I took great pics, so good I thought it was going to be a hobby, until I bought my digital SLR and look at all the different settings and lost interest... lol

I kinda miss that camera they stole, but I have not replaced it yet.... lol

Fors* · 12-29-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

I know it's not going to be much better, maybe not even enough to matter, but it does help.

I don't know what level of ISO he has or what different light settings his camera can handle. he didn't give a model number.

When I had a point and shoot, I took great pics, so good I thought it was going to be a hobby, until I bought my digital SLR and look at all the different settings and lost interest... lol

I kinda miss that camera they stole, but I have not replaced it yet.... lol

From my experience, pics taken of the backlighting only don't come out very well. A lot of my other pics did, but there is something about the LED lighting that affects the picture with a point and shoot camera....

phansson · 12-29-2009, 07:29 PM

Hamp is right, a tripod is almost a must. I didn't use the timer, but that would probably be the best option also.

I have also had good luck with having all of the lights off and then using the flash. My biggest problem is getting rid of the reflections off of my posters.

HAMP · 12-29-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsberg21

From my experience, pics taken of the backlighting only don't come out very well. A lot of my other pics did, but there is something about the LED lighting that affects the picture with a point and shoot camera....

That could be the 'White balance' & 'ISO' settings and not using a tri-pod.

Fors* · 12-29-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phansson

Hamp is right, a tripod is almost a must. I didn't use the timer, but that would probably be the best option also.

I have also had good luck with having all of the lights off and then using the flash. My biggest problem is getting rid of the reflections off of my posters.

I bought a new camera for Christmas, but I have yet to take pics of my Cyron lighting. The tripod never made a difference with these particular pics before, so I am hoping the new camera with the tripod will do the trick.

Rike255 · 12-29-2009, 08:00 PM

It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H20. Not a cheapie camera, but still a point and shoot.

I think I have a tripod with it, I might give that a try tonight.

Hammie · 12-29-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rike255

It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H20. Not a cheapie camera, but still a point and shoot.

I think I have a tripod with it, I might give that a try tonight.

You need to do some trial and error, but you will need to use a tripod or nothing will come out.

You will want a low ISO (200-400) and a high shutter speed (~ 1 sec). Some P&S will not allow you to control these and everything is AUTO.

Grand Bob · 12-29-2009, 11:22 PM

The tripod suggestion is a good idea. I can tell you that using a flash is bad because all of the photos I took using it made the TV picture look much worse than it looks in reality!

crazyBLUE · 12-29-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

You need to do some trial and error, but you will need to use a tripod or nothing will come out.

You will want a low ISO (200-400) and a high shutter speed (~ 1 sec). Some P&S will not allow you to control these and everything is AUTO.

Sense lou is A Photography nut !(

j/k

) I would be taking his advise !

centauro74 · 12-29-2009, 11:44 PM

Then go in the settings and put the camera in manual, then turn off the flash, after look for a setting that control the speed of the shutter put it between 1-3 seconds, and last use the self timer.
SLR cameras are easier to do that, but sonys a lot of times have those settings.

Rike255 · 01-03-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

You need to do some trial and error, but you will need to use a tripod or nothing will come out.

You will want a low ISO (200-400) and a high shutter speed (~ 1 sec). Some P&S will not allow you to control these and everything is AUTO.

Thanks I'll give that a try. I know the camera can set ISO manually, but I'm not sure about shutter speed.

12-29-2009, 06:47 PM	#1
Rike255 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:AB, Canada PSNetwork: Rike255 Home Theater Gallery:44 Blu-ray collection:57	Question about taking pictures of Home Theater So I bought some new backlighting for my TV a little while ago and I want to take some nice pictures of it in action, however I know almost nothing about photography and when I turn off all the lights, turn on the TV, turn on the backlighting, and take a picture the result is an incredibly grainy, over-exposed, off colored image. Does anyone know how to take good pictures of a situation like this? (ie: Bright light surrounded by dark background). I have a standard pocket digital camera so none of that fancy SLR speak will help me. I can provide a picture of what the failed image looks like when I get home from work in case I didn't describe this well. Thanks in advance!

12-29-2009, 11:44 PM	#13
centauro74 Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:New Jersey Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:218	First you need to use the trypod Then go in the settings and put the camera in manual, then turn off the flash, after look for a setting that control the speed of the shutter put it between 1-3 seconds, and last use the self timer. SLR cameras are easier to do that, but sonys a lot of times have those settings.

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12-29-2009, 07:09 PM	#2
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	You have a basic point and shoot digital camera. There will be a few people on here that can help you with some settings. I can give you one important one for now and that is use a tri-pod, it does wonders. Place the camera on the tri-pod and use the timer. Set the timer press the button and don't touch.

12-29-2009, 07:29 PM	#6
phansson Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:22 Blu-ray collection:643 Blu-ray reviews:1	Hamp is right, a tripod is almost a must. I didn't use the timer, but that would probably be the best option also. I have also had good luck with having all of the lights off and then using the flash. My biggest problem is getting rid of the reflections off of my posters.

12-29-2009, 08:00 PM	#9
Rike255 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:AB, Canada PSNetwork: Rike255 Home Theater Gallery:44 Blu-ray collection:57	It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H20. Not a cheapie camera, but still a point and shoot. I think I have a tripod with it, I might give that a try tonight.

12-29-2009, 11:22 PM	#11
Grand Bob Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Seattle Area Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray reviews:1	The tripod suggestion is a good idea. I can tell you that using a flash is bad because all of the photos I took using it made the TV picture look much worse than it looks in reality!

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