Tee Ball Team Photo Question

[Rob4bama]

I am a novice at photography and just learning. I've shoot a couple of games for my nephew and now people are asking me to shoot posed tee ball pictures. Should I use an flash since they all wear caps? I have a cheap Sunpak walmart flash.

Also, I'll take 3-4 pictures in a row and not mess with my settings but they all look a little different....one brighter, one not as bright....any ideas on why? I don't mind trying and shooting around the house, but I just feel pressured at these little tee ball things to find the right settings.

What could I do to improve these photos? Any advice would be much appreciated!

I have a Canon 60d, Sigma 17-50 f2.8, Sigma 70-200 f2.8, Canon 50mm f1.8


Pisgah Black - Generic by rob4bama, on Flickr

 

[MLeeK]

You should first and foremost calibrate. The subjects in that image are GLOWING magenta.
If you are taking the group shot on an overcast day or in the shade a flash is not really necessary much of the time. If you are in direct sunlight I'd want 2 flashes on the ground or near it to shoot up at the kids.

 

[Rob4bama]

I believe the glow is because I started photoshop in RGB8 the changed it to CMYK8 at the end. What about this one?

Pisgah Black - Isaac by rob4bama, on Flickr

 

[MLeeK]

You have the image in CMYK and it should be in sRGB. I think that might be having a bearing on what you see on the internet.
It's so hot pink that I can't really fix it

 

[MLeeK]

I believe the glow is because I started photoshop in RGB8 the changed it to CMYK8 at the end. What about this one?

Pisgah Black - Isaac by rob4bama, on Flickr

Definitely better. Why are you working in CMYK? For printing at any lab you are going to be using sRGB.

It's still rather warm/orange. Definitely not hot pink though!!! MUCH closer.

 

[KmH]

A quick and dirty edit that leaves the photo a bit on the green side of color corrected, but the photo has an embedded oddball ICC profile.
Yes, use a flash and learn about the camera's white balance setting.

 

[Rob4bama]

I wasn't sure if print should be RGB or CMYK.....I've always used RGB, just tried the CMYK....The last upload is what I would print.

So direct sunlight = two flashes on the ground pointing up?

Any sites / advice on flashes? I find a alot on lenses and bodies but can't really find alot on flashes.....thanks for the help so far!

 

[MLeeK]

Not RGB. sRGB. There is a difference. There are several RGB colorspaces: Adobe, Apple, ProPhoto... You'll want sRGB.

Linkdelight.com: Great buys on Photography Equipment, Outdoor Equipments, Toys and More carries the Yongnuo line that is extremely popular as a cheap alternative. I HIGHLY recommend having one GOOD flash first and adding in the yongnuo's as your off camera flashes. Being as you are working with the cheapie I'd probably spring for one of the better yongnuo's. It works with the wireless flash system in the 60d and can be used to fire additional flashes meaning you won't need an off camera trigger/receiver setup. Just beware, they are in China or Japan and shipping time CAN run up to a month to get. Worth it for the HUGE savings.

 

[MLeeK]

Sorry, I forgot...
Strobist
On the right hand side, scroll down and start in the Strobist 101 archive and go from there!

 

[KmH]

As mentioned RGB is a generic term for a large family of color spaces. RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue and is an additive color model.

CMYK, as a color space, is used almost exclusively for press printing. Few photographs are press printed. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black and is a subtractive color model.

Most photographs are chromogenic or inkjet prints. It can be confusing because chromogenic and inkjet prints are made using inks, dyes, and emulsions that are the subtractive colors, CMYK.