The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/1000D Companion

Low-Light Shooting

A lot of new shooters think that low light means shooting with the flash. And while the flash can often yield good pictures in low light, with your Rebel XS, you have far more low-light options, thanks to its excellent high ISO capability. You must use care when shooting in low light, but with a little practice you'll probably find that there's a whole world of subject matter that reveals itself when light levels dim.

When to Use Flash in Low Light

Your flash works well when you have a subject that's close to the camera and you want it lit up very brightly, using a light source positioned where you're standing. But flash photos can often look weird or even outright bad. If you're not careful with your exposure, then your subject can look harshly lit, while your background may not be lit at all. We'll discuss flash exposure in detail in the next chapter.

Another problem with flash shooting with the camera's built-in flash is that it washes out the natural light in your scene. Very often, when you're out at night, what might strike you about a particular scene are the unique colors that are created under street lights or other lighting sources that appear only at night.

Finally, many times shooting a flash is inappropriate or simply not allowed. Concerts and performances, art galleries, or any situation where you don't want to be intrusive all rule out flash shooting as a way to get a shot in a low-light situation. For all of these situations—and simply to have more ...