Chilifest ghosts and goblins

Chilifest 2011











I shoot events, I could use a critique on how I can make my pictures better. I used my 7d and my 18-55 kit lens. I shot manual and because the day was so dreary, I used my on-camera flash as fill. I still ended up having to modify exposure, brightness in PP for many of these shots. Is there a better way? I have 2 more events to photograph before Christmas. The one in 2 weeks is all day, ending in a parade at night. The last one is a Christmas parade at night. I photographed all 3 of these events last year and I would be happy for some ideas on how to take better shots. Do I need to borrow a different lens? I hate the distortion, even at 55mm, I get when taking pictures (big heads, short, skinny legs.)

Thanks for looking and commenting,

Marie

scary

As far as the lighting goes, the cloudy weather in these shots is a good thing. It's the perfect natural diffuser for sunlight. Your camera will have a white balance setting for cloudy weather, so if you're not using that you may want to give it a try. And if you're looking for the photos to be brighter all around, try using some exposure compensation.

The on-camera flash isn't as versatile for use as a fill flash as a nice speedlight would be, but you made it work pretty well.

You will see the distortion with the lens you're using. If you want to avoid that, there are a couple of things you could do. One option would be, if you have Lighroom or some other software that's good at correcting lens distortion, just to use that lens and then correct it later. Of course the more favorable option is always to get it right in-camera by using a different lens. You usually get much more natural and flattering shots with a short telephoto, shooting from a little farther away. On a crop sensor camera, an 85mm prime works really well. If you can get your hands on Canon's 135mm L, that's about the sharpest lens you'll find. Plus it works great in low light and will give you some beautiful bokeh.

All lenses will have some distortion, but the 2 that I mentioned above or another short telephoto will look much better. And one other idea, change your angle just a bit on some shots. Particularly the baby photo -- it looks like you got a little lower than usual, but it would be even better to get all the way down to her level.

Dear meyer7, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to respond to my questions. I am anxious to create better pictures for my clients and you have answered some of my bothersome questions. I am feeling a gap in my lenses. I have an 18-55 kit lens, a 70-300 4-5.6 USM IS and a 70-200 2.8L. Nothing really in the middle ranges. I did have the WB set for cloudy, but did not think of using EC. I don't think, though, that is an option when shooting manual? Also, I initially had my camera and speedlite on a flashbracket, but it felt like... so much... to carry for several hours. Maybe it really would not be a problem. I will try in 2 weeks at my next event.


LOLs on the level of the baby. I was on one knee and was aready afraid I couldn't get up! But really, I will try next time to get lower. It would have been a better shot so horses legs were not growing out of her head.

Glad I could help

If you're interested in a good focal length in between your current lenses - other than the primes I mentioned before - look into either a 24-70L, 28-70L, 24-105L or 28-105. Each of these have some great options. Canon's 24-70L is sharp and fast (f/2.8 ), though of course not cheap. The 28-70 is a little older - it was actually replaced by the 24-70L. Same aperture and very sharp, and you may be able to find one for a bit less.

The longer zooms have pros and cons too. I love my 24-105L, but the maximum aperture of f/4 is limiting sometimes. The 28-105 is not an L lens, so it's considerable cheaper. It's not going to be as sharp as a higher end lens, and is more prone to CA. But still gives you some pretty good photos. I may have some samples to post soon from a recent event. I think the aperture range on that lens is f/3.5-4.5.

On your question about EC, you can use it in manual. The beauty of manual is that there's no factor you can't absolutely control!

Meyer7,

I have seriously considered the Canon 24-105 f4L lens as a go to for events. It is running about $1,000.

I would love to see your samples. Let me know when you have gotten them posted. In the meantime, I will review EC.

Marie

That baby at the bottom is FEAKIN' ME OUT MAN!

Stealthy,

I thought the parents of the baby did an imaginative job. The fact that the mom taught this baby to open her mouth like that when she said "scared" was fascinating.

If you really do find this picture disturbing, I will delete it. It is hard to determine someone's intent by a post, and I would not want to disregard your commentary.

Marie

Leave the baby photos as it is. Stealthy gets spooked around this time of year. The shot is very effective though...

Kudos to both the makeup mother and to the photographer for a nice series of shots.

Special mention to rmeyer7 for an outstanding evaluation and review. I think a lot of us learned a lot from it. Good work man!

chasrich wrote: Special mention to rmeyer7 for an outstanding evaluation and review. I think a lot of us learned a lot from it. Good work man!

Wow... I didn't think anything I said was worthy of kudos, but I'm definitely glad I was able to contribute something helpful!

meyer7, the fact that you took the time to thoughtfully answer my questions was worth the thanks. Add to that the commentary you provided addressed issues that were applicable to other members was priceless. I think, besides what camera to buy, the second knottiest dilemma is what lenses to add to one's arsenal. Again, that is the value of having people like you in this forum.

Marie

LOL I'm very hard to offend. I was joking. Looks great.

Stealty - good! I thought you were joking, but just needed to make sure. lols

Marie

Marie - as promised, here is a sample image from the lens I mentioned earlier in the thread (the 28-105, the only one that isn't an L lens). My wife took this one, assisting me at the MS Bike Tour event last month. Hopefully it will still look as sharp after I upload it as it does on my screen. Pretty impressive sharpness for a low-cost lens, and I didn't sharpen it at all in post.

Thank you for posting! Would you also share the exif data?

Marie