Homecoming Portrait -- what happens when you don't know what you're doing: I took this pic of my nephew and his date on the stairway in my house. Getting enough light on them was a...

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

I took this pic of my nephew and his date on the stairway in my house. Getting enough light on them was a challenge without it being too harsh, but my other issue was getting them both in focus. I think my AV was too wide because my nephew was not focused, though his date was (more or less) :-).

Question -- how do you shoot a picture like this, especially where the subjects are not close in height?

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Pockets wrote:

I took this pic of my nephew and his date on the stairway in my house. Getting enough light on them was a challenge without it being too harsh, but my other issue was getting them both in focus. I think my AV was too wide because my nephew was not focused, though his date was (more or less) :-).

Question -- how do you shoot a picture like this, especially where the subjects are not close in height?

Actually, this works rather well, especially due to the stair railing. Otherwise, it would due to position the subjects on the stairs in such a manner as to equalize their heights. Or, at least diminish the difference between them.

The other possibility is to elevate the camera position, such as using a small step ladder. This is instead of photographing with the camera pointing upwards.

My other observation is the photo seems to be very red biased. I think a bit of white balance would help on the tonality side. But, going back to your initial question, I think the photo looks fine as is.

If possible a smaller f-stop to increase depth of field, but then I'm not familiar with the surroundings, room to locate the camera, etc.
--Bob

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

rmalarz wrote:

Actually, this works rather well, especially due t... (show quote)

Thanks, Bob! I was on a step ladder -- I'm short, these two were tall and on stairs! I agree, I need to get some of the red out....Will do. Thank you so much for commenting! Dee

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Pockets wrote:

Thanks, Bob! I was on a step ladder -- I'm short, these two were tall and on stairs! I agree, I need to get some of the red out....Will do. Thank you so much for commenting! Dee

Dee,
You're welcome.

Obviously, I'm not sure which stairs they were on. If they were on the first couple then a bit taller ladder. Repositioning them, if that was able to be done, could possibly changed the entire aspect of the background and thus made the window more of a distraction instead of being located as it is.
--Bob

Fergus Loc: Westfield,IN

Regardless of the problems that you had it seems to me to be a very nice portrait of the two. In addition to that I'm sure that your nephew and his parents will cherish the photo in which you captured this important event in their son's life.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Fergus wrote:

Regardless of the problems that you had it seems to me to be a very nice portrait of the two. In addition to that I'm sure that your nephew and his parents will cherish the photo in which you captured this important event in their son's life.

:thumbup:

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Pockets wrote:

I think my AV was too wide because my nephew was not focused, though his date was (more or less) :-).

Yup. Your lens was wide open at 2.8 so, guessing at your shooting distance, your depth of field (area in sharp focus) was about two inches deep. Notice Morgan's eyes and her fingernails compared to her face.

It's good to know what your depth of field is going to be ahead of time. One good resource for this is http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

If you don't have time to research the shot, you can take several, varying the f stop. Eventually you'll get better at guessing at this. You really needed to be at f 8 or 11 for this shot.

Sherman A1 Loc: St. Louis, MO

Pockets wrote:

I took this pic of my nephew and his date on the stairway in my house. Getting enough light on them was a challenge without it being too harsh, but my other issue was getting them both in focus. I think my AV was too wide because my nephew was not focused, though his date was (more or less) :-).

Question -- how do you shoot a picture like this, especially where the subjects are not close in height?

I think the shot is great and you should be happy with it. That said you mentioned the unequal heights of the two and I think that could have been solved by reversing their positions on the stairs.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Looks to me like the nephew was moving slightly when you took the shot. Look at his left hand. The young lady received more of the flash because she was closer to you. All in all, a great shot considering the situation.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

SonyA580 wrote:

Looks to me like the nephew was moving slightly when you took the shot. Look at his left hand.

Probably right, depending on the ambient to flash ratio. EXIF shows 1/20 sec which is bad news if the ambient light is significant. And the shadows don't look harsh. Better to increase the shutter speed and fill with diffused light.

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

Fergus wrote:

Regardless of the problems that you had it seems to me to be a very nice portrait of the two. In addition to that I'm sure that your nephew and his parents will cherish the photo in which you captured this important event in their son's life.

That comment makes my day, Ferguson :thumbup:

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

OddJobber wrote:

Yup. Your lens was wide open at 2.8 so, guessing ... (show quote)

Thank you, OddJobber! I will check this link out. Very helpful. I panicked! Getting teenagers to sit still for pics is HARD.
:) :-) :-) :-) :shock: :shock:

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

Sherman A1 wrote:

I think the shot is great and you should be happy with it. That said you mentioned the unequal heights of the two and I think that could have been solved by reversing their positions on the stairs.

See, that makes sense. My rookie badge is showing. Thanks! :oops:

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

SonyA580 wrote:

Looks to me like the nephew was moving slightly when you took the shot. Look at his left hand. The young lady received more of the flash because she was closer to you. All in all, a great shot considering the situation.

Thanks, and I think you're right about him moving. :-)

Sherman A1 Loc: St. Louis, MO

Pockets wrote:

See, that makes sense. My rookie badge is showing. Thanks! :oops:

For those of us who do not do this on a regular basis, there is just like anything else in life, a whole bunch to remember. I would have to improve to reach the level of amateur in photography, but I enjoy trying.
The only other thought I simply to take a bunch of shots and you are bound to hit something(s) that is good. :-D

This was a good photo, so don't beat yourself up because it might have been something a little more. You did good. :thumbup: