One from a Baby Shoot - DPChallenge Forums

06/23/2005 09:39:20 AM · #1

I have few others, but I didn't bring the CD of my final edits into work with me this morning. Am I getting better or what?

This image is the result of adding the Sigma EF 500 Super DG Flash to my equipment and NeatImage to my editing software.

I will post some more later. Those include the mother of this little girl as well as the little girl too... (Please let me know if there is something that I could/should do to potentially enhance my burgeoning skills.)

06/23/2005 09:52:29 AM · #2

This is a closer crop of the same shot.

I am having my wife email me a few of the other images. So, I should have more to show in a little while...

06/23/2005 10:03:02 AM · #3

Here's the mother and baby together.

I am thinking that I need to warm this image up a bit more, but other then that I am pleased with the results.

06/23/2005 11:09:54 AM · #4

Validation?

Negative comments?

Give me something, please...

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/23/2005 11:11:43 AM · #5

Hi Robert, I'm not the best at advice as I'm still learning this stuff as well. I will say that these are pretty adorable shots of a very adorable subject. I do agree that warming them up a bit might help a bit and the one of her on the grass could probably be brightened up a little. My other suggestion would be to use a little unsharp mask on them as they look to be just a smidge on the soft side. Being that they are baby photos, softness is good, but maybe a little more details in the eyes would help. Like I said, I'm still in the learning process myself, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. :-) I think overall, they are lovely and I'm sure her mother loves them to death. :-) Keep at it and post more when you can.

06/23/2005 11:22:42 AM · #6

This is one of my favorites from the whole shoot and the last one I will be posting today.

As for sharpness in the other images... I unfortunately don't have the best equipment just yet.

The camera was tripod mounted and I used my remote trigger, but it was hard to look through the view finder and hit the best time to trigger the release, with the baby having a mind of her own. So, I had to aim it at a mostly stationary point, continually half-press the button to get a good Autofocus and just mash that button down when it seemed like the best time to shoot.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/23/2005 11:28:23 AM · #7

Believe me, I feel your pain when it comes to shooting moving targets (I have two little ones that are my main source of practice). :-) I have tons and tons of toss away photos because of that. I'm lucky to get a handful out of a good 30-40 shots. Also, I think the 300D (I have the same camera) tends to output soft pictures to begin with. I've found a good mixture of USM that has helped me immensely when it comes to sharpening them up (thank you Pedro!!) Let me know if you're interested. :-) As far as composition and expressions you captured, fanstastic!!

06/23/2005 11:38:32 AM · #8

Jennifer,

Thanks for the comments. I have noticed that I do obtain far sharper images with my Canon 50mm 1.8 MkII.

I really wanted to get some use out of my Polarizing filter that day and I felt that with the flash that it would be better to be a wee bit farther from the little one then right up on top of her. I think the flash did an okay job dropping some highlights on their eyeballs, even with as sunny as it was.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/23/2005 11:42:30 AM · #9

Originally posted by Nelzie:

I think the flash did an okay job dropping some highlights on their eyeballs, even with as sunny as it was.

That it did. How do you like that flash? I just got a new flash and it's made a world of difference from the onboard flash.

06/23/2005 11:48:30 AM · #10

I absolutely love the flash.

I have noticed a massive increase in the lasting power of the battery that came with my camera, since I no longer use the onboard flash. I have also gotten higher shutter speeds, better filling of the area with light and greater effect with the ability to bounce that light off of surfaces.

It just rocks all around.