Oh look, a cute baby

[Wfpinky]

I had the chance to take some photos of my nephew last week, and he could not have been more comfortable around the camera. I have to say most of them turned out way better than I thought they would. I'm sure there's still some things I need to work on though, so as always any feedback is appreciated. What do you like and what don't you like about these?

 

[kanuski]

Imho the lighting is too harsh on the right side leaving the other side in shadow. Backgrounds are busy in most but the dof is good. Focus appears slightly off in the last three (?).

 

[Wfpinky]

Imho the lighting is too harsh on the right side leaving the other side in shadow. Backgrounds are busy in most but the dof is good. Focus appears slightly off in the last three (?).

Thanks for the feedback! The parents were determined to have pictures taken in the nursery (which is why it seems busy in the background, tried to move things out of shots as much as I possibly could), and I still can't make heads or tails on using my new speedlite so I definitely know there were lighting issues in some of the shots. I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

 

[mmaria]

what kanuski said

they're not easy to shoot, but this guy seems to love the camera

 

[kanuski]

and I still can't make heads or tails on using my new speedlite so I definitely know there were lighting issues in some of the shots.

Are you using a single, bare flash? Small light makes hard shadows. Best to get some type of light modifier like a shoot-through umbrella. Or make your own.
The other thing is to get a reflector of some kind to bounce the light back on the other side of the face. A sheet of white paper or tinfoil will work if you have nothing else.
Strobist

I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

Maybe it is the processing. The eyes just don't look clear. At f1.8 the dof will be very shallow to you need to make sure the focus point is on the eyes.

 

[Wfpinky]

and I still can't make heads or tails on using my new speedlite so I definitely know there were lighting issues in some of the shots.

Are you using a single, bare flash? Small light makes hard shadows. Best to get some type of light modifier like a shoot-through umbrella. Or make your own.
The other thing is to get a reflector of some kind to bounce the light back on the other side of the face. A sheet of white paper or tinfoil will work if you have nothing else.
Strobist

I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

Maybe it is the processing. The eyes just don't look clear. At f1.8 the dof will be very shallow to you need to make sure the focus point is on the eyes.

Sorry! Just noticed your response. Energizer Digital Power Zoom TTL Flash for Nikon Cameras This is the flash I have, if that helps any. Mine also has the bounce card. I've been wanting to get a reflector, but I know nothing about what I should be looking for or what I should be avoiding. So any tips are appreciated . I'll definitely start paying more attention to where my focus point is, thank you!

 

[Granddad]

When you say "Mine also has the bounce card" do you mean the teeny tiny white plastic strip that slides in and out along with the so called diffuser?

 

[Braineack]

I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

There's focus issues on 1, 2, 3, and 4. #3 seems to be the only one that got it close, but the eyes are out of focus and the forehead, nose, cheeks, brim of hat only thing in.

Like others had said, the lighting on these is pretty harsh or try to get the baby a little more turned into the light.

I'm assuming the light is purely the window? Given the conditions you got about the best you could--I might have gone higher with the iso or dropped the shutter speed down a little from 1/125sec. A reflector would have gone a long way for these. So would a flash unit.

Also, you're using a wide angle lens but getting very up close shots. Take a step back, try not to crop out appendages with the frame. You can always crop in later--
About 25% of the image on #2 is wasted on the carpet and the baby is oddly cropped in the frame.

 

[Wfpinky]

When you say "Mine also has the bounce card" do you mean the teeny tiny white plastic strip that slides in and out along with the so called diffuser?

Yes, unfortunately that would be what I'm referring to.

 

[Wfpinky]

I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

There's focus issues on 1, 2, 3, and 4. #3 seems to be the only one that got it close, but the eyes are out of focus and the forehead, nose, cheeks, brim of hat only thing in.

Like others had said, the lighting on these is pretty harsh or try to get the baby a little more turned into the light.

I'm assuming the light is purely the window? Given the conditions you got about the best you could--I might have gone higher with the iso or dropped the shutter speed down a little from 1/125sec. A reflector would have gone a long way for these. So would a flash unit.

Also, you're using a wide angle lens but getting very up close shots. Take a step back, try not to crop out appendages with the frame. You can always crop in later--
About 25% of the image on #2 is wasted on the carpet and the baby is oddly cropped in the frame.

What focus issues are you seeing in #2? I definitely want to learn how to use my flash next time I see him for a shoot. As far as the cropping issue in #2 goes if I remember correctly he moved his arm at the last minute (so not an excuse though) and I didn't realize how much space there was above his head until you pointed that out. Thanks!

 

[Derrel]

Thank GOODNESS coach Strong has gotten the Longhorns at least somewhat back on track this season, so the kid can wear that jersey and not get mercilessly ribbed about it! He is a cute little tyke. I'd think about some "talls" when it's time to frame the shots in-camera.

 

[Braineack]

I'm not noticing focusing issues in the last three, but I'm going to take a few more looks at them and see if I can't see the issues you're seeing.

There's focus issues on 1, 2, 3, and 4. #3 seems to be the only one that got it close, but the eyes are out of focus and the forehead, nose, cheeks, brim of hat only thing in.

Like others had said, the lighting on these is pretty harsh or try to get the baby a little more turned into the light.

I'm assuming the light is purely the window? Given the conditions you got about the best you could--I might have gone higher with the iso or dropped the shutter speed down a little from 1/125sec. A reflector would have gone a long way for these. So would a flash unit.

Also, you're using a wide angle lens but getting very up close shots. Take a step back, try not to crop out appendages with the frame. You can always crop in later--
About 25% of the image on #2 is wasted on the carpet and the baby is oddly cropped in the frame.

What focus issues are you seeing in #2?!

His face is out of focus. Only his shirt is in focus. The dof at 1.8 is too darn narrow.