Baby portraiture

[fernampo]

What do you think about this shot? This 3mo baby was too awake, so I had to shoot while he was playing around. In this picture, he was laying down sideways, is it too weird? I think it's a little bit out of focus, too...

Please, feel confortable to critique!

Nikon D3000
18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens.

[carlyfan]

I really like the idea of this picture. I like the angle; it's interesting because it's different. I just wish his hand and foot weren't blocking his nose and mouth. Other than that, I really like the composition. I like how you got in nice and tight too. It is out of focus, but you already mentioned that. What is you focusing technique? Auto? Manual? Do you use the center focusing point? Do you lock the focus and then recompose? And is this a common problem, or did you just miss this particular shot?

Also, could you post the exif data with your picture for critique? (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, ect.) It helps us figure out what you did, and what could be done better. Thanks!

Welcome to DPS!
Lisa

[fernampo]

Hi Lisa! Thank you!!!

Well, as already mentioned, it's a little out of focus. At the moment of this picture the mother was changing his clothes, and suddenly he caught his feet, so that shot was one of those "now or never", do you understand? In fact, I took two "decent" pictures. In the other, his feet was clearly moving and his eyes + mouth + nose was hidden, hehehehe.

UnfortunatIy I don't feel confortable using manual focus yet (even when not using large apertures). I use AF-S / AF-C in my Nikon D3000, with rare manual focus trials.

This shot was taken in a bedroom with cold light:
- 50mm (18-55mm).
- ISO 1600.
- 1/25th second.
- f/5.

Do you agree that the speed was a little bit slow, once i was using the lens at 50mm? By the other side, ISO was 1600, with all that noise that the D3000 produces (hehehe). Do you think that the lack of sharpness may be due to noise reduction applied or to camera shake? Well, I shot available light, so no flash fired (I'm thinking about a 1.8 lens, hehehe)...

One last point... I don't remember if i locked the focus an recomposed... Do you think it's better in situations like this?



Thanks from Brazil!!!!! Waiting for your/more comments and tips!

Fernando

[carlyfan]

You are very welcome! I completely understand about the "now or never" shots! I happens to me all the time! Photographing babies and small children is challenging and at times frustrating because they don't stand still. But for the most part it is rewarding!

I general, you want to try to keep your shutter speed above 1/60 for handheld (at least that's what they say), but faster for kids who are moving around. (it also depends on the focal length though) But for this picture, it looks more like a focus issue than motion blur to me. It looks like the camera couldn't focus on anything, so it gave up and nothing in the picture is in focus. I'm no pro though, so maybe someone else should weigh in on this. It's probably a combination of different things. There does appear to be some motion blur in the hands and feet.

Originally Posted by fernampo

Do you think that the lack of sharpness may be due to noise reduction applied or to camera shake?

Did you run a noise reduction program on it, or are you referring to the in-camera noise reduction applied to JPEGs? That could be contributing to the softness. Did you shoot in RAW? And could you post a SOOC? Maybe that will help.

I don't trust myself with manual focusing on people yet either, especially for kids. I usually have my camera set on the center auto-focus point, lock in the focus on the eyes, and then recompose.

I would highly recommend the 50mm 1.8! (or the 1.4 if you have a lot of money just laying around ) I'm guessing that is the 1.8 you were referring to? When I got that lens after having just the kit lens, a whole new world of possibilities opened up to me. It's great for shooting indoors with available light.

Good luck Fernando!

Lisa

[TBrown00]

Originally Posted by fernampo

...
(I'm thinking about a 1.8 lens, hehehe)...

Fernando

I'm not sure if you know this or not, but the Nikon 50mm 1.8 will not autofocus on your D3000 (you mentioned that you're not yet comfortable with manual focus). If you want an autofocusing 50mm you have to get the f/1.4 AF-S lens that is about $430. For the D3000, which is a DX camera, I would recommend the 35mm f/1.8 DX lens. 35mm on a crop sensor (DX) is roughly equivalent to 50mm on a full frame (FX).

[fernampo]

Hi! Thanks for your advice! Yes, I know the 50mm won't auto-focus in D3000... In fact, I've tested the 35mm but I have a few thoughts about which "kit" to buy:

1) The 35mm in DX sensor isn't that wide, which means that sometimes it won't allow me indoor group photography (then I think using my wider kit lens with flash, once I'm starting to learn strobist, hehehe). I guess I'll prefer the little bit more "tele" option (50mm).

2) The 50mm does not auto focus on D3000... But... I'm whishing a D7000 or a D90, if I don't make enough money, hehehehe.

Of course my choice would be the second one, once D90/D7000 would allow me higher ISO speeds too! But the 35mm isn't out of question yet.

Hugs from Brazil!
Fernando

[fernampo]

Hi Lisa!!! I agree with you, I try keeping in mind the 1/Focal Distance shutter speed rule, but in this case it wasn’t possible, I think…
I really don’t remember, but maybe the camera didn’t focus anything and then I pushed AF-lock to get the shot taken, or maybe I’ve got the focus and then the baby moved… As you said, maybe a combination of things, because the baby wouldn’t move sufficiently to get the whole body out of focus.
About NR, I shot JPG (with on camera NR) and used Lightroom noise reduction. Unfortunately I didn’t shoot raw this day!!! It was a real mistake, once it was a special family (my family) occasion (what a shame!).
And Lisa, do you use your 50mm on DX or FX format? As you can read in my other reply, I’m still thinking about 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 + D90/D7000 or even a 50mm 1.4 AF/S. This third option just happened to me now, hehehehehe.
Take a look at my SOOC and give me more advices, please!


Hugs from Brazil!
Fernando

[TBrown00]

If you have a choice between a lens or a body, it is always better to choose the glass. Glass will last you years while new camera bodies are introduced every few months.

If you are going to start getting into flash photography I would recommend the Nikon SB-700, the cheaper version of the 900. It was supposed to be released by now, but it hasn't. Getting good flash shots with the built-in flash is near impossible.

Good luck with your decisions!

[fernampo]

Hi TBrown! Thank you for your tip about glass! I agree with you, but there are 2 things that are pushing me to another body: 1) Low ISO capacity of D3000. I can barely use ISO 800 because of the noise... 2) Lack of AF compatibility... Do you think these arguments are strong enough or would you recommend me to keep going with the glass? I'm still not decided, specially because lenses and bodies are very expensive here in Brazil...

Thanks!!!

[carlyfan]

Hi Fernando,
It definitely looks like the noise reduction increased the blur, but it wasn't the only thing.

Originally Posted by fernampo

And Lisa, do you use your 50mm on DX or FX format? As you can read in my other reply, I’m still thinking about 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 + D90/D7000 or even a 50mm 1.4 AF/S. This third option just happened to me now, hehehehehe.

I shoot with Canon (Rebel XT), so I'm afraid I can't help you there, but I know it would be a pain to lose auto-focus.

Good luck!
Lisa