What to do next.....

Noah'sMommy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 01:40 PM

Hi all,
I posted a couple months ago about getting my new camera. I got the Canon XTi. Now I am not sure where to go from here.
Do I go for a new lens (I only have the kit lens now) or is it better to get an external flash first?

Which is better for someone JSO - a speedlight or external flash?!

I just took about 300 pictures at my daughter's 1st birthday and was really disappointed in a lot of them. Mainly, because I LOVE natural light pictures and I kept forgetting to change the ISO as I went from indoors to outdoors. Hostessing 50 ppl and being the camera woman was not easy!

Here are a few of the shots I took. I suppose not so much for CC, but for what I could have changed or what lighting may have helped them come out better? I am not even good enough for CC yet! However, I will take any tips I can get! Thanks! (I lurk here to learn from you all the time! Not brave enough to start posting more until now!)
1.

2.

3.(Already converted to sepia)

4. (I love the ones in the pink chair and I am sad at the lighting/coloring)

5.

6.

7.

bubbly_1 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:21 PM

#1 and 4 are darling! I love #1 the best.

Just remember composition. Try not to chop limbs (hands/feet). As for lighting... try and have your back to the window and the subject looking towards you. If it's light out then you should get some good catchlights that way.

WonderWoMom · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:39 PM

6 is my fav

i LOVE the tutu!!!

pixiejules · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 06:38 PM

Hey Sara

I say go for a new lens. The 50mm 1.8 is a really good one to start with.... and it's a cheap one! Even better.

MonicaD · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 06:50 PM

i love the tutu. and your doing great for jso. i am also. your lil one is darling. just keep trying, thats what ive been doing, seems that you catch on better that way. good luck.

holly1227 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 06:55 PM

Hey Sara! Good to see you over here

. I say get the 50mm 1.8 before the speedlight. That lens will allow you to get some decent shots indoors when it is not very bright. My tip would also be to get between your subject and the window (have the window behind you)...it looks like in the 1st shot the window is in front of you. Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson is a great book if you're looking for something to teach you and have you practice. After reading that, I went back to my camera manual and made sense of it all

. Hope that helps and keep posting over here. Try to post your settings next time b/c that will help the experienced ladies over here help you out even more.

Noah'sMommy · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 06:28 AM

Thank you for the tips.....It is quite overwhelming at first, huh? Because I was moving all over (and so were the kids) I really didn't have many chances to set up the right shots with lighting. I would like to get some more of the baby with a planned area, great lighting, same outfit!

holly1227 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 06:59 AM

I think your pics turned out well considering you were the host and photographer and I know how frustrating it is when you're trying to get them to sit still and look at you and then asking them to smile is just not gonna happen. Claire won't even look at me when i have the camera in hand now!