Annoyed...please help! c&c

[Derrel]

Even a little bit of help from the pop-up flash would have helped...a cheap, generic flash with a Sto-Fen diffuser would have helped...you just need more lumens...you do not need the high-priced stuff either...it's truly a shame that these days with digital cameras with their instant, built-in "film developing" and LCD review screens that the low-cost auxillary flash units of the 1970's and 1980's have almost disappeared from view in today's market. A cheap $59 Focal brand (K-Mart's old brand) or Albinar flash unit would/could elevate your snaps of the kids to decent...still ,the photos you took will someday become treasured family memories.

 

[djacobox372]

Buy yourself a flash with a tilt head so you can bounce it off the walls/ceiling.

There are some cheap alternatives to a new flash, although you'll likely have to use them in manual mode (no big deal in an indoor controlled light scenario).

My favorite old-school flash is the vivitar 285, they can be had for $50 or less on ebay--they have their own light sensor for somewhat decent automatic exposure:

If you want to spend even less the vivitar 3700, they can be had for $15 on ebay, not as powerful or well built as the 285, but has twist as well as tilt:

 

[nahtanoj]

canon 50mm 1.8. $99 and well worth it. it will make indoor shooting SO much easier.

 

[Genka81]

Thanks so much for the ideas. I'll definitely look into getting one me one of those. I really need.

 

[mrpink]

canon 50mm 1.8. $99 and well worth it. it will make indoor shooting SO much easier.

Thanks so much for the ideas. I'll definitely look into getting one me one of those. I really need.

something to keep in mind with the 50mm 1.8. Yes, it is a good low light lens, but your DOF is going to be razor thin when shooting at the 1.8 mark. A few of your photos showed multiple children at varying focal lengths, with the thin DOF, one child might be in focus, while the others are completely OOF.

I have found a good speed light to be more useful when photographing children indoors.

A cheap, right now sort of solution would be a pop up flash diffuser. They can be found just about anywhere online for very cheap.








p!nK

 

[Genka81]

A cheap, right now sort of solution would be a pop up flash diffuser. They can be found just about anywhere online for very cheap.

p!nK

Now that's something I can afford right now, lol. Just order a flash diffuser for $18 free shipping! =) Let's hope it works like I need it to. Thanks for the advice everyone!!! And still hoping to get a speed light for xmas. =P

 

[oldmacman]

#3

#4

Because these are a one time photo op, aside from the suggestions for next time, you can still do some editing if you use PS (or something similar).
Here are two that have been colour corrected, NR and sharpened:

 

[KmH]

A cheap, right now sort of solution would be a pop up flash diffuser. They can be found just about anywhere online for very cheap.

p!nK

Now that's something I can afford right now, lol. Just order a flash diffuser for $18 free shipping! =)

You could have made your own for less than a buck. :thumbup:

The kids skin looks very plastic, and not very real in that last edit.

 

[Genka81]

That is very true, lol. It's ok though... If I don't like it I can return it. =)

I agree about the edit. I think it looks fake/plastic as well, but I do like the edit. It's just not very realistic. Thanks though.

 

[oldmacman]

I agree about the edit. I think it looks fake/plastic as well, but I do like the edit. It's just not very realistic. Thanks though.

Keep in mind that the edit is on a low quality, high noise image. You should have better results with your originals.

 

[Genka81]

I agree about the edit. I think it looks fake/plastic as well, but I do like the edit. It's just not very realistic. Thanks though.

Keep in mind that the edit is on a low quality, high noise image. You should have better results with your originals.

Agreed! Thanks for the edit! =)