Advice for outdoor photos at the park

[Pixilox]

Don't forget to read your manual, again, and again, and again . I've had my 60D for a few years and still refer to it often.

 

[chuasam]

best advice: make sure that it is YOUR kids that you're taking pictures of

 

[Rambojonil303]

Don't forget to read your manual, again, and again, and again . I've had my 60D for a few years and still refer to it often.

Will do, good advice.

 

[Rambojonil303]

best advice: make sure that it is YOUR kids that you're taking pictures of

True don't wanna get caught up in the moment and photograph everyone , thanks

 

[Derrel]

SOme good advice in this thread. Read some of the suggestioins, and carry them out! The lens is fine! Welcome to TPF.

 

[bluewanders]

Lot's of great advice in this thread. One thing I don't remember seeing mentioned that helps is to bring a dark colored blanket/drop cloth of some sort with you to the park. Especially this time of year and times of the day when the sun is at it's strongest, if you find yourself without the option to change when you are out and about or don't have sufficient lighting with you. The green is really vibrant this time of year, trees are wide open and super green... even if you find a shady spot it can all act like a giant green reflector all around the people you are photographing and cover their skin and clothes in a green cast. Usually it's easiest to see in the shadows. So if you want to stop and do some portraits you can throw the blanket down near them to reduce the effect. Or just go look for a dry patch with no grass, or a paved area etc and look for a background you can use from there.

You can also use the same trick in the winter if you need to tone down the reflection from snow or even specular reflections from the surface of water giving their face a mottled look.

 

[Kroneberger0408]

When your shooting moving children and you letting the camera focus for you heck to see if you have it in AI-servo mode instead of single shot mode. That will help you stay focused on the kids while there moving around.
Also I know that when I was just starting out with a SLR camera it was helpful to try aperture priority or shutter speed priority mode rather then full blown manual mode. Play around with them and see what the camera sets the other setting to. This really helped me a lot when trying to figure out settings and everything. Though im still far from a master, the more practice you get the easier it becomes.