Olivia @ f1.8

[Ginger Pixie]

My new Mark II 50mm lens is inspiring me to experiment - I'm taking photographs like a maniac at every angle / setting combination imaginable. Well worth the investment!

f1.8 shooting toddlers on the move was an interesting experience without a zoom!

During a fleeting moment of relative calm when she ran into the glass conservatory I took this, bouncing the flash off the ceiling at 1/4 power. This is SOOC (I had preset my white balance to daylight) and wondered what people made of it. Although it is not focused correctly and the background is over exposed, there was something about it I quite liked, perhaps as it is so different from everything else my camera throws back at me.

So. Am I wrong to have liked it and not condemned it to the recycle bin? Usually anything out of focus or blown out heads there without a second glance.

Camera Canon EOS 450D
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

[sk66]

Actually, in this case blowing out the BG is not a bad thing. The mis-focus is more of a "problem" but only *if* you wanted it sharp...This is leaning towards an "airy/ atmospheric" type shot and might benefit from being pushed further that way.

BTW, where's the Exif?

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by Ginger Pixie

My new Mark II 50mm lens is inspiring me to experiment - I'm taking photographs like a maniac at every angle / setting combination imaginable. Well worth the investment!

f1.8 shooting toddlers on the move was an interesting experience without a zoom!

During a fleeting moment of relative calm when she ran into the glass conservatory I took this, bouncing the flash off the ceiling at 1/4 power. This is SOOC (I had preset my white balance to daylight) and wondered what people made of it. Although it is not focused correctly and the background is over exposed, there was something about it I quite liked, perhaps as it is so different from everything else my camera throws back at me.

So. Am I wrong to have liked it and not condemned it to the recycle bin? Usually anything out of focus or blown out heads there without a second glance.

Camera Canon EOS 450D
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

If you like it then that's all that really matters isn't it?

Technically speaking I'd say the background is very bright and quite distracting, the image looks a little 'cool' i.e. cold and the focus doesn't seem to be quite sharp enough around the eyes.

Personally speaking I'd say capturing anything usable from a child running around, especially at f/1.8 is a miracle! So well done

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by sk66

Actually, in this case blowing out the BG is not a bad thing. The mis-focus is more of a "problem" but only *if* you wanted it sharp...This is leaning towards an "airy/ atmospheric" type shot and might benefit from being pushed further that way.

BTW, where's the Exif?

Oops, added Exif now - the problem with reading work emails and getting distracted...

As for wanting it sharp - I always aim to get it sharp, so this is a new area! I know some people like soft focus...

Originally Posted by ajax_andy

If you like it then that's all that really matters isn't it?

Technically speaking I'd say the background is very bright and quite distracting, the image looks a little 'cool' i.e. cold and the focus doesn't seem to be quite sharp enough around the eyes.

Personally speaking I'd say capturing anything usable from a child running around, especially at f/1.8 is a miracle! So well done

Well yes, but if everyone thought that then critique section wouldn't exist, would it

Thanks. Yes - the focusing on a moving target at f1.8 is tricky!!!

[sk66]

I understand you were "experimenting" but there really was no reason to be at f/1.8...your DOF looks to be less than a couple inches. That will definitely make things challenging for yourself.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by sk66

I understand you were "experimenting" but there really was no reason to be at f/1.8...your DOF looks to be less than a couple inches. That will definitely make things challenging for yourself.

Yeah, I can see that retrospectively - but everyone gets excited with a new f stop - no?

[Ginger Pixie]

I used f1.8 on this too - does this work better?

Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

[The LoKW]

I like both for very different reasons. Although perhaps not "technically" on point, IMHO photography is about expression and I feel something when I look at both.

Love the second. Great catch lights, super expression and wonderful capture. Don't mind the background as this is clearly a moment captured; real and likely an image difficult if not impossible to duplicate in a more structured environment. Although perhaps even stronger with a less distracting background, I feel the separation is good enough that my eye is consistently drawn to the subject.

TFS

[sk66]

Yes, it's better IMO because the eyes are in focus.
...
Do you keep cutting off parts of her head intentionally? Leave yourself some room to fine tune the composition in post.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by The LoKW

I like both for very different reasons. Although perhaps not "technically" on point, IMHO photography is about expression and I feel something when I look at both.

Love the second. Great catch lights, super expression and wonderful capture. Don't mind the background as this is clearly a moment captured; real and likely an image difficult if not impossible to duplicate in a more structured environment. Although perhaps even stronger with a less distracting background, I feel the separation is good enough that my eye is consistently drawn to the subject.

TFS

Thank you very much, you are very kind. I do prefer candid shots of children personally, but backgrounds are a pest.

Originally Posted by sk66

Yes, it's better IMO because the eyes are in focus.
...
Do you keep cutting off parts of her head intentionally? Leave yourself some room to fine tune the composition in post.

I suppose this must be a style I have developed, as I hadn't consciously been lopping off bits of head, but a quick look through my flickr confirmed that this is something of a habit. Having asked a few of my camera club friends, they seem to be ok with chopped heads if it works in the overall composition. I hadn't really thought about it being a problem.

Is it a problem?