I figured that I could post a few pictures and since you ladies seem to know so much more than I do, you could tell me what you think. Thanks







Thanks for your help!!

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Janet
Proud Single mommy to
Nicole Lee
Taylor Jade
Jacqueline Abigail

Cute kids. Looks like you are off to a good start. I'm sure the other ladies will chime in, but I was always told to not use flash. Try to take pics outside or by a window inside. Also, the book Undersatnding Exposure by Brian Peterson is wonderful and will teach you how to shoot in the manual modes. You will see a huge difference once you start doing that!

Do you mind telling us what lens you shoot with and what mode (auto, portrait, manual, etc)?

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Holly
Mom to Claire Avery

I am about to sound like an idiot, I have the Nikon D40, and I do have a couple of different lenses, these ones I believe that I took them with the lens that came with it. Thanks so much, I will be getting that book today.

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Janet
Proud Single mommy to
Nicole Lee
Taylor Jade
Jacqueline Abigail

If you can afford it, I would try to get the 50mm 1.8 to start out with. It's pretty sharp and lets you shoot in low light better. Much better than the kit lens. Not sure about Nikon, but the Canon one is under $100.

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Holly
Mom to Claire Avery

I also have the AF-S DX VR Zom 55-200 MM. I will also be looking at other ones too, I would like to build my collection up. Thanks so much.

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Janet
Proud Single mommy to
Nicole Lee
Taylor Jade
Jacqueline Abigail

I have the 50mm f/1.8 for my D80 and love it. It is all I shoot with right now. I really want to get the 50mm f/1.4 now though. And maybe some 30mm, a zoom, and a really good macro but since I can't afford it I really haven't done the research or thought about which one.

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~Melissa




My Toys:
Nikon D80
50mm f/1.8
18/55mm f/3.5-5.6(kit I decided to get anyway LOL)

Just make sure you know that the 50mm f/1.8 does not autofocus with the D40. That's what I have and I really want to get more lenses but the ones I want don't autofocus on the D40.

And I agree with the suggestion to not use flash and to use the manual setting. I've had a blast learning and messing around with my D40 - hope you do too!

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Welcome welcome!!

I really like the light in her eyes in the first one. See how when you get around natural light, it just brings the eyes some extra sparkle? Those are called "catchlights" and they are a good thing.

See how in 2 and 3 there are little pin lights in the black part of the eye? Photography wise, those are supposed to be avoided. Direct flash is very harsh...and it causes dark shadows.

It gets fun to try to find the natural light as you learn. Open the blinds, stand in the doorway, whatever you have to do and you will get a more desirable natural look.

In the sticky thread above, there are articles about composition, "rule of thirds", and how to compose a picture in general.

I also highly recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Pederson. It teaches how all the settings work together so you can shoot manually and control the camera.

Welcome and what a cute model you have to work with!

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This is the best way to learn. Post, ask questions and listen to the cc and try to apply it the next time. Also, pay attention to other people's threads where cc is offerred. It will help you learn to recognize things. Last, cc other people's pictures! It will help you look at things & train you to recognize technical stuff just by your simple observations.
Great advice given. Looks like you're off to a good start. The first one has nice sharpness, color and catchlights. Natural light creates more pleasing photographs than on-board flash. One thing to watch is your backgrounds. To go from snapshot to portrait takes a little planning but think about de-cluttering your background as the first step. A background such as in 1 and 3 distract from your subject.
Lots to learn. Check out the helpful hints sticky for lots of good reading. Come back and post questions and practice, practice, practice!

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~Treva

My comments were basically the same, especially about watching your background. I know that takes some doing when you're taking pictures of kids!

Your girls are just beautiful!

The first picture is my favorite. Nice eyes. I think with a little creative PP (Post Processing) you could improve it a smidge. Maybe something like this? (This was a very brief crop and clone to remove some of the distraction).

Good luck and welcome. You'll learn a LOT from these ladies!

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Karla



Mom to:
Kristen - 28
Kaitlyn - 17
Kamryn - 10
James - 2

Welcome! Cute kids indeed! I agree with all the cc already given! This is a great place to learn. I also highly recommend Brian Peterson's book.

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thanks ladies. I went and tried to find the book but it was out of stock so I will have to order it online.

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Janet
Proud Single mommy to
Nicole Lee
Taylor Jade
Jacqueline Abigail