People Serious Fun

overkillzone · 04-29-2010, 09:11 PM

Just wanted to get some input. I have only been shooting for a month or so. Went to the park with the kiddos and took some shots while they were at play. I really love this picture even with my son the "subject" being a bit out of focus. It was a bit hard to get perfect focus since I was just running after them while they were playing. I just love his pose especially since it was just candid while he was playing. He just looks so serious! So any suggestions would be greatly Appreciated. My name is Chris by the way and this is my first photo post.

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overkillzone · 04-30-2010, 12:33 PM

No advice or suggestions? Anyone?

Sroka · 04-30-2010, 01:01 PM

this photo is not so good... even to family album IMO
out of focus,
face burnin,
hand is cut off,
arrangement is trivial...

try more...

overkillzone · 04-30-2010, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the input. I was just looking for some guidance and you pulled through.
What would be a good way to keep the sun from nuking the face.

scatron · 04-30-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by overkillzone

What would be a good way to keep the sun from nuking the face.

Meter off the face. This will make the rest of the photo darker, but maybe not so much that you can't tell he's on a playground.

Nomad · 05-02-2010, 08:09 PM

I do think that you had a good eye for what you wanted to see and if not for some technical problems it could have been a great shot.
1. I use center point focus then recompose while holding shutter 1/2 depressed to lock focus.
2. As stated above, center weight meter off of fair skinned subjects so as not lose highlights.
3. Try not to cut off hands, arms, or heads unless done for artistic expression but that is a whole dif discussion.
4. Keep shooting and have fun!!! Cute kid, won't be your last chance for a great candid portrait.

woof · 05-04-2010, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by Nomad

I do think that you had a good eye for what you wanted to see and if not for some technical problems it could have been a great shot.
1. I use center point focus then recompose while holding shutter 1/2 depressed to lock focus.
2. As stated above, center weight meter off of fair skinned subjects so as not lose highlights.
3. Try not to cut off hands, arms, or heads unless done for artistic expression but that is a whole dif discussion.
4. Keep shooting and have fun!!! Cute kid, won't be your last chance for a great candid portrait.

I agree with all of this. I'd add:

Consider turning on the "blinkies" which will show you when you are clipping highlights (and conversely losing shadow detail) and also turn on your histogram so that you will start to recognize what highlight clipping looks like. Apply appropriate compensation and bring the exposure up in post processing.

This can be hard since you are running around a park, but generally on a sunny day, the compensation, once set is fine.

On a sunny day use the opportunity to run a higher shutter speed. This will help both with camera shake and subject movement, overall tending to yield more in focus shots.

If you can wait for the SR "hand" to show up a little after focus lock, do so. If not, again, shutter speed will help.

Keep working at it. Your subject is adorable and you'll get much better at this.

woof!

overkillzone · 05-05-2010, 12:18 PM

Thanks for all the great advice. I will definately put it all to good use. I love this forum it's full of great people that are quickly willing to help.When your starting in photography that asset is absolutely amazing!

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04-30-2010, 12:33 PM	#2
overkillzone New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tulsa,Ok Posts: 18 Original Poster	No advice or suggestions? Anyone?

04-30-2010, 01:01 PM	#3
Sroka New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 15	this photo is not so good... even to family album IMO out of focus, face burnin, hand is cut off, arrangement is trivial... try more...

04-30-2010, 02:04 PM	#4
overkillzone New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tulsa,Ok Posts: 18 Original Poster	Thanks for the input. I was just looking for some guidance and you pulled through. What would be a good way to keep the sun from nuking the face.

04-30-2010, 03:29 PM	#5
scatron Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sandy, Utah Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	Originally posted by overkillzone What would be a good way to keep the sun from nuking the face. Meter off the face. This will make the rest of the photo darker, but maybe not so much that you can't tell he's on a playground.

05-02-2010, 08:09 PM	#6
Nomad Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 408	I do think that you had a good eye for what you wanted to see and if not for some technical problems it could have been a great shot. 1. I use center point focus then recompose while holding shutter 1/2 depressed to lock focus. 2. As stated above, center weight meter off of fair skinned subjects so as not lose highlights. 3. Try not to cut off hands, arms, or heads unless done for artistic expression but that is a whole dif discussion. 4. Keep shooting and have fun!!! Cute kid, won't be your last chance for a great candid portrait.

05-04-2010, 07:54 AM	#7
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by Nomad I do think that you had a good eye for what you wanted to see and if not for some technical problems it could have been a great shot. 1. I use center point focus then recompose while holding shutter 1/2 depressed to lock focus. 2. As stated above, center weight meter off of fair skinned subjects so as not lose highlights. 3. Try not to cut off hands, arms, or heads unless done for artistic expression but that is a whole dif discussion. 4. Keep shooting and have fun!!! Cute kid, won't be your last chance for a great candid portrait. I agree with all of this. I'd add: Consider turning on the "blinkies" which will show you when you are clipping highlights (and conversely losing shadow detail) and also turn on your histogram so that you will start to recognize what highlight clipping looks like. Apply appropriate compensation and bring the exposure up in post processing. This can be hard since you are running around a park, but generally on a sunny day, the compensation, once set is fine. On a sunny day use the opportunity to run a higher shutter speed. This will help both with camera shake and subject movement, overall tending to yield more in focus shots. If you can wait for the SR "hand" to show up a little after focus lock, do so. If not, again, shutter speed will help. Keep working at it. Your subject is adorable and you'll get much better at this. woof!

05-05-2010, 12:18 PM	#8
overkillzone New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tulsa,Ok Posts: 18 Original Poster	Thanks for all the great advice. I will definately put it all to good use. I love this forum it's full of great people that are quickly willing to help.When your starting in photography that asset is absolutely amazing!