For indoor photography, open the aperture wide, keep the shutter speed fast enough to avoid blur, and raise ISO as needed to balance the exposure. The numbers below are general guidance to try first, and you should adjust them to your room, your lens, and your subject.
Set the Exposure in Order
- Aperture: Use a wide setting such as f/1.8 to f/2.8 if your lens allows it. This lets in more light. Close it a little, perhaps to f/3.5 or f/4, for groups so more faces stay sharp.
- Shutter speed: A speed of roughly 1/125 works for still people, and 1/250 or faster helps with children or pets that move. Go slower only with a tripod or stabilization and a still subject.
- ISO: Raise it until the exposure looks right. Modern cameras often handle ISO 1600 to 3200 well, and noise is better than blur.
- Exposure compensation: Check the image on the back screen and adjust by a third or two thirds of a stop if the room looks too dark or too bright.
Quick Reference Table
| Situation | Aperture | Shutter speed | ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait by a window | f/1.8 to f/2.8 | 1/125 to 1/250 | 400 to 1600 |
| Group in a living room | f/3.5 to f/5.6 | 1/125 to 1/250 | 800 to 3200 |
| Moving child or pet | f/2 to f/3.5 | 1/250 to 1/500 | 1600 to 6400 |
| Still life or food | f/2.8 to f/5.6 | 1/60 and up, tripod helps | 100 to 800 |
Use the Light You Have
- Place your subject near a window. Soft side light looks flattering and costs you nothing in settings.
- Turn off mixed lamps if they clash in color, or choose one light source for the scene.
- Bounce a flash off a white ceiling or wall instead of aiming it straight at people.
- Raise the lights in the room if you can. Brighter rooms mean lower ISO.
White Balance and Focus
Indoor bulbs can tint photos orange or green. Shoot raw so you can fix white balance later, or set a preset that matches the bulb type. For focus, use single-point autofocus on the eye, and switch to continuous focus for moving subjects. In very dim rooms, a focus assist light or a lens with a wider aperture can help the camera find focus.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving the shutter speed too slow and getting blurry hands or faces.
- Using direct on-camera flash, which flattens faces and creates harsh shadows.
- Shooting at an aperture so wide that eyes are sharp but noses are soft.
- Ignoring the histogram and clipping bright window areas.
FAQ
Should I use auto ISO indoors?
Auto ISO with a set minimum shutter speed is a convenient way to work, since the camera raises ISO when the light drops. Set a maximum ISO you find acceptable.
Do I need a flash for indoor photos?
Not always. Window light and a wide-aperture lens can be enough. A flash helps in very dark rooms, especially when bounced.
The Short Version
Use a wide aperture, a shutter speed fast enough for your subject, and enough ISO to balance the exposure. Use window light where you can and check results at full size.
