Critique Please
Oct 19, 2011 20:32:51 #
citrusice
Loc: Memphis, Tn
Hi everyone these are my first attempts with my new Cannon 60D I am still getting use to all of the different settings and learning how to focus as I can not get an image right in auto focus ever.
The first picture is my daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop f/5.6, Exposure time 1/1600 sec., ISO speed 2000 focal length 109mm, no flash.
The second my youngest daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/250 sec, ISO 1600, focal length 55mm, with flash
The last one is of my niece shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/200 sec.,ISO-6400, focal length 70mm, no flash
The first picture is my daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop f/5.6, Exposure time 1/1600 sec., ISO speed 2000 focal length 109mm, no flash.
The second my youngest daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/250 sec, ISO 1600, focal length 55mm, with flash
The last one is of my niece shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/200 sec.,ISO-6400, focal length 70mm, no flash
Oct 19, 2011 20:42:08 #
#1 and #3 are out of focus.
In # 1 you have shadows and hilights across your daughter's face (remember to watch where your light is and where it is coming from)
In #3 it appears to be a bit underexposed.
#2 is the most technically correct photo. The aperture and ISO you state seem appropriate for a shaded setting which this seems to be. The fact that you used flash has "filled" any shadows that might have been seen in her face. I might have adjusted the aperture just a stop or so to get a bit more depth of field. Having all the rock wall in focus would have given a better overall look in my opinion. (Sometimes you want background blur or bokeh, but since its where shes sitting it makes more sense to have it in focus I think)
All this and $7.00 will get you a half-caf, skim, mocha something or other at one of those coffee snob places. :D
In # 1 you have shadows and hilights across your daughter's face (remember to watch where your light is and where it is coming from)
In #3 it appears to be a bit underexposed.
#2 is the most technically correct photo. The aperture and ISO you state seem appropriate for a shaded setting which this seems to be. The fact that you used flash has "filled" any shadows that might have been seen in her face. I might have adjusted the aperture just a stop or so to get a bit more depth of field. Having all the rock wall in focus would have given a better overall look in my opinion. (Sometimes you want background blur or bokeh, but since its where shes sitting it makes more sense to have it in focus I think)
All this and $7.00 will get you a half-caf, skim, mocha something or other at one of those coffee snob places. :D
Oct 19, 2011 20:48:54 #
citrusice
Loc: Memphis, Tn
Thank you...I am getting use to the camera settings and how everything should be for every shot, I am practicing all the time luckily I have willing subjects to torture with "don't move yet", I am having a difficult time with indoor adjustments though not sure what my problem is on that one.
Oct 19, 2011 20:52:26 #
Indoor lighting is tough depending on the type of artificial light, how much "natural" light you are getting and reflections and backgrounds. Take it a step at a time and if you find you are doing mostly family informal portraits, there are books st the local bookstore that can help, and plenty of tutorials online.
Oct 19, 2011 21:16:32 #
why are you shooting with your ISO so high? What time of day were they taken?
Oct 19, 2011 22:04:00 #
Oct 20, 2011 09:06:13 #
Try dropping your ISO to around 200 -400. This will give you much cleaner images (less noise). ISO 1600 and especially 6400 will be real noisy on the 60D. Open your lens all the up. This will isolate your subject and give much better results.
Oct 20, 2011 22:50:03 #
citrusice wrote:
Hi everyone these are my first attempts with my ne... (show quote)
Let me make some suggestions. First, you are in a bright setting- drop your ISO down to 100 or so. Shutter speed should be around 125, or so. Your f should be around 8, as this tends to be a sweet spot for many lenses. Use aperture priority for these portraits, being aware of how much dof you need (low numbers more shallow),
Now for the main issue. Your focus is way off. I am not sure exactly which lenses you are using, but even kit lenses should behave better. You should NOT have to manual focus. I suggest that your camera may need to be calibrated. Either return to shop, or send to Canon if still in warranty. Your camera should give you much better pics.
Oct 20, 2011 22:53:45 #
Oct 24, 2011 17:11:17 #
Oct 24, 2011 19:49:24 #
Are you letting the camera pick your focal point? I'm asking because in #1 it looks like your focus feel on the rocks just below her knees. As a whole the whole image is out of focus. This would have been a wonderful shot.
#2 the focus once again looks like it has fallen on the rocks just in front and to the left of her (image left). This image isn't as OOF as the first one, but still isn't as sharp as it should be. Crop in more on her (cut out all the un-neccessary stuff) and you are on the right track. Get pose.
#3 - the W/B is way off, focus is off (not even sure where it fell to be honest) and there is a lot of noise.
Try and keep your ISO around 100 - 200 while outside in daylight, I actually keep mine at 160, after trail and error I'm comfortable with it there. There really isn't a need to bump your ISO up to 6400 unless you are shoting in the dark, a church that doesn't allow flash or something similar.
#2 the focus once again looks like it has fallen on the rocks just in front and to the left of her (image left). This image isn't as OOF as the first one, but still isn't as sharp as it should be. Crop in more on her (cut out all the un-neccessary stuff) and you are on the right track. Get pose.
#3 - the W/B is way off, focus is off (not even sure where it fell to be honest) and there is a lot of noise.
Try and keep your ISO around 100 - 200 while outside in daylight, I actually keep mine at 160, after trail and error I'm comfortable with it there. There really isn't a need to bump your ISO up to 6400 unless you are shoting in the dark, a church that doesn't allow flash or something similar.
Oct 24, 2011 19:49:58 #
#1 looks like the focus was on the rock in front of her,,and DOF may have been short enough to put her in soft focus..since I don't know how to do manual with digital equip. I can't help on that,also do know lowest ISO[AFA in my day]will give best pics..
#2 I think is great,,she stands out in sharp focus,behind her fades by loosing focus..
#3 almost all subjects[jewelry-people]will pick up the hue of surroundings if not lit [by other light]in some way to counteract the surrounding hue..
best of luck,,---joe
#2 I think is great,,she stands out in sharp focus,behind her fades by loosing focus..
#3 almost all subjects[jewelry-people]will pick up the hue of surroundings if not lit [by other light]in some way to counteract the surrounding hue..
best of luck,,---joe
Oct 24, 2011 19:56:41 #
What posseses you to shoot at the high level of ISO. Even if everthing would have been perfect, you cannot expect anything else than a washed out greyish picture with a lot of grain and in digital - noise. Increasing ISO above 200 is not recommended if you care for good quality files. You may want to enlarge one of the pictures to 8x12 and you will see what I mean. Otherwise, levely subjects - they deserve great pictures!
Oct 24, 2011 20:39:52 #
forgot,,,agree with scottk---you may need to get camera/lens checked to be sure they're good and go with each other...--joe
Oct 24, 2011 21:26:16 #
citrusice
Loc: Memphis, Tn
Thank you for all of your suggestions, I am completely new to digital photography for the most part and this is a brand new camera to me I still have a lot to learn these pictures were my very first tries I knew I was doing something wrong and with a whole lot of trial and error I hope to get there.
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