Birthday Party Photography

[Alis]

Well done. Well done.
This is my version. You don't mind do you ?
What have I done ?
I adjusted the temperature a tab, making it cooler, - hardly noticeable - introduced 3 graduated filters to darken the ambiance and used the adjustment brush to lighten up the faces and the more light areas

Of course I don't mind, actually I like to see what you guys do to a picture like this. I used to print them right off the camera and now I have learned to play with them and it is so much fun.

I used to film these events, for my son and also friends, and may be take a couple of shots with a point and shoot camera as inserts for the video. This time with an SLR, it was a lot of fun but also very challenging. Now I had to worry about the picture quality on top of food, the cake, and everything else. And when you run around with a big camera like that, people expect to see some extraordinary pictures in their mailboxes the next day!

The room had a lot of windows and also a lot of those recessed bulbs here and there and the lighting was different from different angles.

This is a fascinating art, a lot to learn, so I am sure it is going to keep me busy for long time, which I like.

Thanks everyone!

[Alis]

Sedali,

I think that's a really nice shot. It's sharp and nicely exposed, the lighting is nice (fill flash is just right), the composition is good, and the kids are adorable. Are you happy with it?

Regards,
Mike

Thanks, Mike, and Willgoss.

I am actually very happy with the pictures. There was a lot of moving around in the room and my fear was that all the pictures are going to be blurred because of that, but I think they came out very nice.

[Alis]

Sure, I can see 3 'distracting' things I might clone away to improve it photographically.
I could also suggest a few things that would tell more of the story in the one shot, BUT worrying about those on the day would have distracted you from enjoying the your son's birthday.

Thanks, Dave.

I am very interested to know what those "distractors" are. My guess, is the flyer on the wall, the matchbox maybe? What else?

[Antonio Correia]

In my opinion, I find the brighter one a better picture.....
I have noted that you, Antonio, tend to post darker pictures that those I prefer....
Both pictures Have a nice white balance so it seems to be one of preference.......
Maybe it's me......I just am not a fan of dark....Sedali......good picture, I like it....

Yes, you are right. I have rather dark pictures...

[Mike R]

Sedali,

Some thoughts after looking at the EXIF data for your photo...

The photo was shot at 28mm focal length. According the the shutter speed rule of thumb, you would need at least 1/45s (but faster is better). Your actual shutter speed was 1/100s, which was a good choice.

The EXIF also indicates that the aperture was f/5.6. Assuming that the children were 6 feet away (just my guess), this would give you a depth of field of 3 feet. That seems to be just enough to get all the children in focus, yet to keep the background out of focus enough so it doesn't compete visually with the foreground.

Mike

[sananjana]

hi everyone .......

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks, Dave.

I am very interested to know what those "distractors" are. My guess, is the flyer on the wall, the matchbox maybe? What else?

A definite yes to those two, and potentially, I'd say the white coloured thing behind/beneath the girl on the left. It could well be her chair, but if you cover the lightness with your thumb whilst viewing the picture, you'll see it keeps the eyes on the cake and the kids, rather than pulling them out of shot on left.

Since it appears to be not contributing, I'd clone it away, so it just looks like she is standing on the floor. Of course, other pictures you have may make this a ridiculous suggestion (e.g. when viewed as a slideshow).

But we're only talkng of a 10% improvement on the picture, so don't feel you have to.

You've already done a job to be proud of.

Best regards, Dave

[Alis]

Sedali,

Some thoughts after looking at the EXIF data for your photo...

Mike

I have to admit none of these were intentional

But this one was intentional sort of... he is very photogenic in my opinion.

[Antonio Correia]

[pixel pete]

willgoss,
something you might not have considered is this. since we're not viewing this image under the same conditions on the same calibrated monitor, darker or lighter is all relative.

Macs tend to render different from PCs.

For discussions of this sort I think we can only comment on content, not so much color.

Mr. Sedali,
I do have a suggestion that you get a fast 50 mm lens, if you don't have one. That will allow you to shoot with faster shutter speeds and in available light. Based on your settings of your picture of your son by fridge, 1/50 @ f3.2, with a 50 mm f1.4, you can shoot at iso 200 f3.2 1/125 sec or f1.4 at 1/250 sec.

A 50 mm f1.8 is only US $100, but once you try that lens, I guarantee you'll swear by it.

If you have to use flash consider using an off camera sync cord so that you can at least aim the light. On-camera flash is horrendous. Subjects closer to the camera get overexposed even when bounced.

Good luck with the birthday party. Shoot a lot. Increase your chances. One other thing I forgot to mention. Don't forget to turn off the lights when the candles are lit. And be ready when the lights go off. Your son might have a very brief wish and if you're not ready, he's not going to wait for you.


Sorry this is not a current picture but it's all I could find of my kids.
Camera Nikon D-1
iso 800 1/40 f2.8 17-35 mm Nikon f2.8 lens

[Antonio Correia]

... Mr. Sedali...Don't forget to turn off the lights when the candles are lit. And be ready when the lights go off. Your son might have a very brief wish and if you're not ready, he's not going to wait for you...

However be aware that under very dim light conditions - I mean poor light - you will not be able to focus and your pictures may be blurred, out of focus.

Pre-focusing may be an issue, but then we fall into another problem: DoF, or lack of it.

I myself get sometimes in trouble in low light situations with the Canon 5D even using the central point and with L lenses which maximum aperture is f/2.8

Your own picture Peter, is not very well focused is it ? Or is it my monitor ?
How did you focus on this one ?


I forgot to mention something stricking: Nice children.

[Alis]

Thanks Pete and Antonio. I just ordered the 50mm lens (now that I can't get my hands on the Canon 5D Mark II at least in 2008 ), as it had been recommended to me a few more times in the past. But this is going to be for next year. Pete, you joined late, the birthday party is over!

We will do it at our own house this time, no function room next year! I did not like the bland background of pictures I took there...

Also, I agree with Antonio, very cute kids, Pete. Looks like they are mesmerized by the flame!
Thanks again,

Sedali

[pixel pete]

Antonio,
It's not your monitor. The depth of field was very very shallow. I focused on Julie since it was her birthday. The print looks fine. It may not be as sharp blown up to 16 x 20 for a contest. But for me, it captures the moment. No room lights or flash ruining it.

[Antonio Correia]

Antonio,
It's not your monitor. The depth of field was very very shallow. I focused on Julie since it was her birthday. The print looks fine. It may not be as sharp blown up to 16 x 20 for a contest. But for me, it captures the moment. No room lights or flash ruining it.

Sure Pete. Sure. it is not "as sharp blown up to 16 x 20 for a contest".
I do understand the idea. Get a nice shot from a unique moment.
Don't get mad at me, please
I was just trying to alert the real possibility of ending up with real blurred pictures...

Oh, you mean you focused manually on the child on the spot, at that very moment ?
Well yes. That is a pretty good point.
And if you are using a f/1.4 lens and the focusing screen helps... you get a nice and focused picture.

After all, how did we - well, I did - use to shoot, before AF appeared ?
À la patte/manually/com as mãos/con las manos

[pixel pete]

Antonio,
I meant to use the smilies but forgot. It's the trouble with the written word. No tones or facial expressions or visual cues to rely on.

I couldn't be mad at you or anyone especially on a forum where the idea is share and learn. What I've seen of your work tells me you obviously know what you're talking about.

My eyes aren't exactly what they used to be.

BTW, when I hit reply button next to "Quote" I get the quick reply box but no access to smilies. How do I get access to Smilies? Those icons can help a lot when writing. Especially if I mean something in a "smart aleky" or sarcastic way or when I'm kidding.

Auto-focus has come a long way. At times I still over-ride it because I really want to be sure something is sharp.

To clarify the picture of my kids weren't taken with a 50 mm but a 17-35 zoom. I shared it to give an idea to Mr. Sedali that sometimes high ISO may not be so objectionable especially if it's the difference between getting an image or none.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Pete, I can answer that one; click the 'Go Advanced' button and up comes the smilies panel.

just like that

[pixel pete]

Why thank you Rustyshutter. That was most helpful.

[Antonio Correia]

Pete: