Annoyed...please help! c&c

[Genka81]

So, after finally talking my sister into bring her twins to my place to take some pictures of them. I upload my 100+ pix to find them all OOF, or just not crisp. What can I correct in my shooting to get toddlers captured the way they should be. If I set my shutter speed too fast, the pic is dark, if it's set for the lighting of the room then the kids are OOF. I'm so annoyed. Here's the best shots of the day. =(

#1

#2

#3

#4

 

[mrpink]

Lighting, lighting, lighting. All of your posted photo seem to suffer from motion blur, not lack of focus.

A speed light or faster lens (lower f/number) would help this issue.

They actually look pretty decent for ISO3200.







p!nK

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I think that if your sister is not annoyed you should be happy. I specially like #3 with the pi's and the candy canes hanging from their mouths. Very cute.

 

[Genka81]

I think that if your sister is not annoyed you should be happy. I specially like #3 with the pi's and the candy canes hanging from their mouths. Very cute.

I added a #4, so you can see there's another matching pj, lol. I thought it was adorable.

Thanks!!! I doubt my sister is annoyed at all, but I really just want to be able to capture a crisp picture of the kids that come to my house.

 

[KmH]

It takes skill to hand hold at slow shutter speeds like 1/20 and 1/25 (#1,3,4)

#3 and #4 have an orange colored cast from white balance. Having the WB been set to tungsten should have given more natural skin tones.

 

[chito beach]

ISO of 3200 is part of the issue also. All the above pics where at 3200 ISO. That alone will make them a tad fuzzy looking. all but one the Santa shot where all taken a 1/4 of a second or slower. forget that for kids, the move way too much.

Drop down the ISO to 1600 or less, use your flash, and shutter speed of above 1/100th second, open up the F stop a bit too.

 

[o hey tyler]

You need to get a faster lens. Simply put, your kit lens is not a high performer in low light. It has a small maximum aperture.

 

[chito beach]

You need to get a faster lens. Simply put, your kit lens is not a high performer in low light. It has a small maximum aperture.

I was trying to help without spending any money

 

[Genka81]

You need to get a faster lens. Simply put, your kit lens is not a high performer in low light. It has a small maximum aperture.

I was trying to help without spending any money

Thanks so much!!! I don't exactly have the money to get a faster lens right now, so any suggestions that are cheap/free would be wonderful. I'm going to try out each suggestion, and see how things turn out. The pictures (other then Santa) was taken in my living room, so maybe I can also throw in an extra lamp and turn it on when I'm shooting for extra light.

When it is time to get a new lens, do you have any suggestions for low light?

Definitely appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

 

[Bram]

ISO of 3200 is part of the issue also. All the above pics where at 3200 ISO. That alone will make them a tad fuzzy looking. all but one the Santa shot where all taken a 1/4 of a second or slower. forget that for kids, the move way too much.

Drop down the ISO to 1600 or less, use your flash, and shutter speed of above 1/100th second, open up the F stop a bit too.

What he said. Also another thing I mean christmas is just around the corner and a speedlight can be had for under $200.00 I know it's still alot of money but it'd be a great thign to have to play around with.

 

[KmH]

Digital cameras do not see light like you do. To make an appreciable change you would need to add about 6 extra lamps.

 

[Bram]

Or just turn on the lights lol. I know it kills the mood but I mean you can't have a mood with good photos. UNLESS: you got the equipment and setup to do so.

 

[Genka81]

LOL... all of my lights were actually on. =P I have drop ceiling lights, but I guess for a camera it definitely is not bright enough in here. I'll mention the speed light for xmas. =P Maybe I'll get it, hehe.

 

[ann]

Use a sharpnening program on those images, it might help, don't be heavy handed.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

What type of camera/lens etc are you using? I can't access the EXIF data. Its always good to include this info in your post if you need help. I will assume you are using a dSLR since others have mentioned kit lenses and ISO 3200.

If you want cheap, use your on camera flash as others have stated. Try using a DIY bounce card The Party Bouncer is Back in Business (Card) | DIYPhotography.net made out of an index card. It will reflect the flash up onto the ceiling and diffuse it across the scene so its not as harsh. You may have to up the flash comp a decent amount though since you are losing strength by bouncing it. Then you can lower the ISO back down to less noisy levels. Also, watch your white balance. If AUTO white balance isn't working ( and you aren't shooting in RAW ) then take a few test shots and try to find the white balance preset that works best for that setting and lighting.