Need Help Photos Inside

I just bought a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 lens and I'm not getting the shots I want. I think I have the wrong settings. What setting should I be using, cause these photo's are obviously not sharp what so ever. I do have a SB 600 flash with a flash cord. If need to use it, what do you guys think it should be set at looking at these photo? What correction gel might I have to use? I am going back to shoot more tomorrow so please reply quick! None of these photo's have been edited. I'm using a Nikon D80/.

1.

Why are these so over exposed? It seem somewhat dark. Settings were F1.8 ISO 100, 1/15.

2.
Settings were F2.5, ISO 160, 1/13.

3.

Settings were F1.8, ISO 160, 1/40.

4.
Extremely over exposed, but why? F.18, ISO 160, 1/50.

5.
Dark shadows on her face. Should I use a flash? If so where should it be pointed? Settings were, F1.4, ISO1 160, 1/40.

6.
This one was out of focus. F1.4, ISO 160, 1/40.

 

Maybe bump up the ISO a but and focus manually?

 

Your not going to get away with ISO 100/hand held in those lighting conditions. Subject and/or you are moving in those shots. Bump the ISO up to at least 400 and give it a shot (most likely 800). Experiment but 5 & 6 could probably use some bounce flash. For the theatre shots, I'd mess more with ISO and try to get away without the flash.

 

I'm no pro. But if I was in your shoes I would be using a faster shutter speed because they all look blurry to me, none of them are sharp. And therefore a higher ISO.

 

Any other tips?

Help is extremely appreciated!!!

 

Looks like everyone covered the basics. Try to get additional light sources set up for the stage or use a strong flash with diffuser?

 

What mode are you shooting in? Manual, or Aperture/Shutter Priority?

 

Mostly manul, sometimes Aperture priority mode.

 

With a D80 and no flash you'll replace blur with noise because you'll need to shoot at around 800 ISO minimum from what I can see. The good news is you can fix a lot of the noise with software, but you can't fix blur.

 

If I where to use flash, where should I point it?

I do also have the Lumiquest Ultrasoft.

 

The first shot is a *classic* example of spotlighted performers in front of a dark stage curtain; the light meter sees 90 percent black curtain; the same thing with the girl in shot 4. With the ISO set to 100, and the lens nearly wide-open at f/1.8 in the first shot, the light meter determines that a slow exposure of 1/15 second is appropriate. Spotlighted performers on stage, a classic old-school method would tell you that the light meter reading will tend to OVER-expose, and that a Minus exposure of -2.0 to -3.0 stops will give a more appropriate exposure for the spot-lighted subjects in frames 1 and 4.

The indoor shots of the two teenagers, in frames were both exposed at ISO 160 at f/1.4, with slow shutter speeds of 1/40- second. The boy has motion blur,and is a bit out of focus.

The major issue is that you need to boost the ISO much higher--to 640 or 800 or so. For the on-stage shots with spotlighting or strong flood lighting, keep in mind that the subjects will easily be illuminated by light that is 2 or 3 or even as much as six f/stops brighter than non-illuminated areas off stage. For the behind-the-scenes stuff, a touch of flash would be helpful.

Keep in mind--the D80 is/was noted for its tendency to meter "hot",and this classic stage/dark curtain situation is easily tamed by shooting at what the meter indicates is quite "under-exposed". Good luck. Use the LCD to review to help you get dialed in while at the event.

 

thanks!