The use of a slower shutter allowed the use of a smaller aperture (f/8?), which allows for a larger DOF (depth of focus - The area in front/behind the actual focus area that appear to be in focus). Additionally, the use of a WA (Wide Angle) lens gives a larger DOF compared to a telephoto lensWarm regards,DOF..

Can you suggest any models of digital camera that could achieve this effect? thanks..

These are just long shutter speed, flash on camera, snapshots, some with a wide angle lens..

The direct flash makes the colors rich, and the exposures are generally pretty close to right..

The bright lights in the background mean there's sparkle back there, instead of, as in many flash pix, just dullness because the flash illumination has fallen off as it goes farther and gets dimmer..

Nothing special here..

BAK..

Thanks BAC,.

Could I achieve this therefore with a basic digital camera? I currently have an Pentax Optio s6 or would a digital SLR be needed. Is it possible to to alter the shutter speed with a point and shoot like this or is that a stupid question?.

Thanks.

Robert..

RobertFlack wrote:.

Thanks BAC,.

Could I achieve this therefore with a basic digital camera? Icurrently have an Pentax Optio s6 or would a digital SLR be needed.Is it possible to to alter the shutter speed with a point and shootlike this or is that a stupid question?.

I don't think you need a DSLR. In fact that could be counter-productive, due to the size and weight. The main requirement for shots like these is to be there - with the camera. You may not want to carry a bulky or conspicuous camera at night or in these kinds of locations..

The Optio S6 has various scene modes, including "Night Scene". Not sure what this does, but one would assume it allows a slow shutter speed which is what you need, to get the background effect. In addition you need the flash to be set "on" to get the people both properly lit and more importantly sharp and free from blurring due to the long shutter speed..

A little experimentation may be required. As well as trying the different scene modes, the ISO setting may need to be changed. Normally for night shots you would want to increase the ISO (400) to cope with low light. However, to force the slow shutter speed it may be better to reduce the ISO (64 or 100)..

As well as the above, the white balance setting may need changing. Auto or Daylight setting may be best to get the light from the flash correct, though the background ligting may suggest a different setting..

In any event, I would definitely try this with your current camera, before considering any new purchase..

Also, you might try asking for advice on the Pentax forum where other Optio S6 users may be able to help.http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1028Experiment, try it out, and hopefully have some fun too.Regards,Peter..

DSLR would be a lot easier. Step over to the nikon d80 forum and check the work of Daniel Diaz, he's very good at party photography..

The pic you posted was well done to begin with and very nicely processed after that.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

Could I achieve this therefore with a basic digital camera? Icurrently have an Pentax Optio s6 or would a digital SLR be needed.Is it possible to to alter the shutter speed with a point and shootlike this or is that a stupid question?.

I think the difference with this photo is the quality of the flash. A compact camera wouldn't give you this evenness and richness, unless it's one that takes an external flashgun. To get this kind of photo with a compact, you'd probably have to set it up very carefully and get the people to stand very still so you could avoid using flash..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Andrew Butterfield wrote:.

To get this kindof photo with a compact, you'd probably have to set it up verycarefully and get the people to stand very still so you could avoidusing flash..

Not true by any means. You can get pictures like this with a P&S camera - at least I used to all the time with an ancient Canon G2. You just need to set the flash to a slow sync, or rear sync, so that ambient light from the background is recorded, then the flash fires at the end of the exposure, to make the subject nice and sharp..

'87.6% of all statistics are made up on the spot'.

ShutterBuginhttp://www.exposureproductions.smugmug.com.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

Not true by any means. You can get pictures like this with a P&Scamera - at least I used to all the time with an ancient Canon G2.You just need to set the flash to a slow sync, or rear sync,.

Well, the original question was, 'Can I achieve this with a basic digital camera?' The answer is still no I think, on the whole, because of the tiny flash units most have. Your G2 was not a typical P+S, on which you would be very lucky to find slow sync flash with a choice of first or second curtain..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

This picture looks to me as if it has had some enhancement in photoshop (contrast, saturation etc). This is software feature not a hardware feature...Mike..