ok, let me have it. Both barels

[cgipson1]

do you all think this flash shot is better than all the other shots?

NO.. because you were using that MIRROR... you are not ready for that either!!!! KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!! Until you can consistently get good sharp shots on easy, facing you, non-moving subjects.. you should not even try anything else. Master that first.. then move on.....

 

[cgipson1]

I know you are probably thinking "What an A-Hole"!!!! And yes.. I can be... but if you do what I am saying... You WILL be getting good sharp shots.. and hopefully that will show you how to continue getting good sharp shots! (and Lightspeed is still a bigger A-hole than I am!! lol!)

 

[GnipGnop]

I like the way you think, Gipson.

 

[TMBPhotography]

I did have the focal points on her eyes. I swear. It was blinking red. That was one of the constants I did thru out the shoot. I am guessing my unsteady hand made it blurry.....?

 

[TMBPhotography]

I am one of the few people who actually does appreciate all your "harsh" criticisms. Its the only way I am going to get better. All my friends say my shots are great.... but they are my friends so they are just being nice, not helpful.

 

[cgipson1]

I did have the focal points on her eyes. I swear. It was blinking red. That was one of the constants I did thru out the shoot. I am guessing my unsteady hand made it blurry.....?

What focusing mode? do SPOT!

which set of eyes.. the mirror? That will usually work.. but not if you were in the wrong focusing mode

you were at an angle to the mirror.. sometimes reflective surfaces can play havoc with the focusing rangefinder mechanism, especially if IT is not sure WHERE you want the focus..... you have to tell it where to focus!!

 

[cgipson1]

I am one of the few people who actually does appreciate all your "harsh" criticisms. Its the only way I am going to get better. All my friends say my shots are great.... but they are my friends so they are just being nice, not helpful.

if they like what you have been doing.. then you will knock them dead, with the new stuff.... if you learn to do this!

 

[TamiAz]

I'm guilty of shooting at 1.8, but no more...I've been converted!! I also agree about keeping it simple...It's hard enough to get the exposure right.

 

[LightSpeed]

I know you are probably thinking "What an A-Hole"!!!! And yes.. I can be...

What an understatement.

but if you do what I am saying... You WILL be getting good sharp shots.. and hopefully that will show you how to continue getting good sharp shots! (and Lightspeed is still a bigger A-hole than I am!! lol!)

Gee what do you know.
Another understatement. lol

 

[MTVision]

I did have the focal points on her eyes. I swear. It was blinking red. That was one of the constants I did thru out the shoot. I am guessing my unsteady hand made it blurry.....?

It should be 1 focal point on one eye.

I may be wrong here but....I've read that canon cameras only spot meter on the center focal point. If you are using your center point with spot metering - what are you metering off of to set your exposure? In aperture priority, you would have to actually lock the exposure otherwise your camera settings will change depending on what you're pointing the camera at.

I would like to also discourage you from shooting at 1.8. The apertures recommended above will also give you a nice shallow DOF but everything will be sharp and in focus (if done right). The closer you are to your subject the shallower the DOF.

 

[iresq]

What a great education in this thread.

 

[TMBPhotography]

I did have the focal points on her eyes. I swear. It was blinking red. That was one of the constants I did thru out the shoot. I am guessing my unsteady hand made it blurry.....?

It should be 1 focal point on one eye.

I may be wrong here but....I've read that canon cameras only spot meter on the center focal point. If you are using your center point with spot metering - what are you metering off of to set your exposure? In aperture priority, you would have to actually lock the exposure otherwise your camera settings will change depending on what you're pointing the camera at.

I would like to also discourage you from shooting at 1.8. The apertures recommended above will also give you a nice shallow DOF but everything will be sharp and in focus (if done right). The closer you are to your subject the shallower the DOF.

I turned the camera to portrait so I was using the very top focal point on the lens. Not the center one. I did nothing with metering(forgot all about it to be honest with ya) I look forward to trying out all this new info.

 

[cgipson1]

I did have the focal points on her eyes. I swear. It was blinking red. That was one of the constants I did thru out the shoot. I am guessing my unsteady hand made it blurry.....?

It should be 1 focal point on one eye.

I may be wrong here but....I've read that canon cameras only spot meter on the center focal point. If you are using your center point with spot metering - what are you metering off of to set your exposure? In aperture priority, you would have to actually lock the exposure otherwise your camera settings will change depending on what you're pointing the camera at.

I would like to also discourage you from shooting at 1.8. The apertures recommended above will also give you a nice shallow DOF but everything will be sharp and in focus (if done right). The closer you are to your subject the shallower the DOF.

Have to admit, I don't know the Canons! Funny how there are three Nikon users trying to help this Canon rookie.. and no Canon users! lol! ;

 

[cgipson1]

What a great education in this thread.

nah!! We are making it all up as we go!

 

[RyanSands]

In my humble opinion stick your camera on AV mode...then it will adjust shutter speed for you Also stick to around f4...then you will have more depth of field to play with and more leeway if you make a focusing mistake. Use your camera's center focus point and always try to focus on her face...then move slightly to recompose your shot so she's not so in the center. Put your camera's ISO to around 800-1250...so to make sure indoors you have plenty of shutter speed to work with so your photos aren't blurry due to hand shake. Never let your shutter speed get to below 1/60th. So again to restate your settings...Shutter speed no lower then 1/60thISO 800-1250AV ModeCenter focus pointDon't try and add in any flash just yet... You will only confuse yourself more. Oh and make sure your meter in your camera reads in the middle And just have fun shooting and experimenting...don't get discouraged just yet haha.