RDee wrote:
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"...I am using a Kodak Z712 IS digicam. ....slowly getting used to the various manual settings available...help in understanding which aperture+shutter+ISO setting would provide the best results in low-light conditions without a flash in which the foreground subject creates a sharp shadow in the brighter background."
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I also have a Z712is and love it.
I generally use it in aperture priority mode (A), setting the aperture according to desired depth of field, unless low light or other reasons dictate otherwise.
To get the exposure right, I use the viewfinder (or, very occasionally, the LCD screen), with most settings displayed. On
part-pressing the shutter release to focus, and then letting it go, a reasonable
preview of the image you're about to take appears, with the tonal range about as it will be seen in the shot. If parts of the image are too dark or too light, alter the
EV +/- (exposure compensation) setting using the thumbwheel control, until it looks right (
after part-pressing & releasing the button, remember).Ignore what the image tone looks like
while the release is part-pressed.
All this can be done without taking the camera from your eye.
If the EV correction won't correct far enough, set the camera to 'fully manual' (M) and once again set the exposure by eye in the viewfinder. You may even see huge EV error values displayed on the screen, but if looks right as a preview, take no notice and try the shot anyway. With difficult shots exposure meters are easily fooled, and they can't read your mind over which bits you want over or under exposed.Just take lots of shots, and throw most of them away later.
If you can't decide on exactly
which exposure is right, take many shots with different exposures, either manually or automatically using the
bracketing facility, several times with different steps if necessary.
It may well be, with difficult subjects such as you describe, that none of the shots will be exactly what you want, due to limitations of dynamic range (only 255 levels of brightness). In that case, you just have to choose the best, or do clever things in Photoshop or similar.
Using a good tripod makes these things a lot easier, but carrying one defeats one important purpose ofsuch of a beautifully light & compact yet fully-featured and cheap camera. I carry a tiny minitripod (which cost me a whole 1.0 ukpounds!), or rest the camera on something. I find the image stabilisation to be very good, provided I can concentrate and keep calm! But I'll often repeat the shots at higher ISO settings, for faster shutter speed or smaller stop, in case they turn out better.
The excellent electronic viewfinder with its full information and very reasonable preview is an absolute breakthrough in my photography, allowing me to use some of the judgement I used to use later in the darkroom or on the computer, but at the instant of taking the shot instead.
Good luck, and have fun with your great little camera!