Picture of my sister

[carlyfan]

Hi,
I'm new here so I hope I do this right.
I took this picture of my sister yesterday just as it was starting to get dark. I was shooting in program, I probably shouldn't have been. I know it is not focused right or there was too much camera shake. I have trouble getting "the shot." I find myself choosing between getting the right moment (natural smile), and the correct settings and focus. Do you guys use AF for portrait shoots? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!
Also I'm wondering about my exposure, composition and anything else I could do to improve. Thanks so much!

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/IMG_4309.jpg


Camera Brand: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Exposure Time: 1/25 sec.
Aperture Value: 1.70 EV (f/1.8)
ISO Speed Rating: 200
Flash Fired: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode.
Metering Mode: Pattern
Exposure Program: Normal program
Focal Length: 50.0 mm

[tasmo2]

I think you did a great job! A few things that will explain why you got the "camera shake" that you did and other "issues" I have with it.

The main thing I would keep in mind is that its hard to shoot free hand (w/o something to steady you) at like 1/50 or below with out getting that shake. Your apt was already as wide as it could be at f1.8.. but you could go up a tad on the ISO to help. ISO 400 would help you to have a faster shutter speed.

Also, next time it would help to back up just one step so you can get her feet in the shot as its just a bit awkward as is.. (not to sound harsh!)

As far as catching the natural smile moment you did that spot on! I love her smile in this one! To me the exposure looks good.. im not great at eyeing that yet though, so someone more experienced may think differently. I think your composition was good, minus the chopping off her feet.. but like I said one step back next time will solve that! And having a hard time with messing with settings vs catching the moment just means you need to practice more... one day you will realize that your doing both at the same time and you dont know when it happened! LOL! Practice practice practice and it will all become something you can do second nature.

I don't know anything about program mode use, I have never tried it.. but I know it makes most of your decisions for you which isn't a great idea. I would start with aperture mode to learn how to change things, but still have *some* help from the camera.. BUT don't get stuck on it! (I did for a lonnnggg time, until a friend on here challenged me to get out of it) After you get some ease with A mode, go manuel! It takes a bit of getting used to, but it pays off in the end!

[windrider86]

Would you mind posting your photo here for us? Please and thank you

[kristenh]

Carlyfan- its a sweet picture; i love her smile. i've been at this for 4 months or so, and i have the exact same problem - i've done a lot of reading and can think everything through if i have a minute, and i can always critique what i've done after the fact- but i'm shooting the kids and there just isn't enough time to think ahead. anyway, i'm trying a couple of things- first, for one whole week i am shooting in auto and examining the data and histograms afterward to try and internalize the kind of comments that tasmo made down below. and i'm going to practice in aperture mode with things that sit still

i'm hoping that it is true that practice makes *pretty good*

[carlyfan]

Thank you so much for all your advice!

Tasmo2:
I realized later that I should have bumped the ISO up. I am still getting used to adjusting the ISO because I used to be way too cautions of noise and would never go above 200.
Here is the original picture.

I cropped it because I thought her slippers looked funny and the white cushion was washed out and distracting, maybe I should have left it how it was.


windrider86:
Am I not supposed to link to a picture? As I said, I'm new here so I don't quite know the ins and outs of the forum yet.

kristenh
Thanks, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who struggles with that!