How did this happen???

[Tenzin'sMom]

I've been taking average amateur photos for years, and 2 months ago upgraded to a dSLR. When I uploaded photos of family after Christmas, I found this one (and several like it) of my granddaughter. I was using my new 50mm lens.

I know it's not a great photo but there are two things I'm wondering: I rather like the effect of the Christmas tree lights, but if I intentionally wanted to reproduce that I would have no idea how. And the second one, what are the little red lights on her face and how did that happen? (The blown out white area on the right is a big picture window.)





Thanks, everyone -- I sure appreciate your insights and advice.


Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/2.2
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[kornbread]

To reproduce the light effect in the background you need a shallow depth of field. Set your aperture to a low number (2.8 or lower). If you look at the lights, they actually look octagonal Those are your aperture blades.

I'm kind of stumped on the little red lights though. It could possibly be lens flair from the Christmas lights, but I took pictures all Christmas, and didn't get anything like that.

[monday]

I too just got my first DSLR so I'm not really sure how those red lights got on there. I'm sure someone will know.
As far as the effect on the Christmas lights I think you want to learn more about bokeh. By having your Aperture on f/2.2 you created this effect. A lower aperture (f/16) or something would have had the tree in focus as well as your granddaughter. I'm sorry if this isn't the question you were asking. Maybe this link What is bokeh and DOF tips and photo examples will help.

I have some experience in Photoshop if you want me to take the red lights off the photo. Let me know!

[monday]

I went ahead and edited the spots out, I hope you don't mind. I used the patch tool in CS4 and did it in less that 5 minutes. It's not perfect but a little better.

[RichardTaylor]

Did you have a filter on the front of your lens?

[Tenzin'sMom]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Did you have a filter on the front of your lens?

Yes, just a basic UV filter to protect the lens. Is that my problem?

[FocalFrenzy]

Reflection from your UV filter is probably the culprit. Some of the shots I took of my son had green spots on them. I wasn't using a filter, and as it turned out, it was green glitter from an ornament he was playing with. Some of the things kids do, will always keep us guessing. BTW, I love this shot, and I also agree with the suggestions mentioned above about aperture settings to acheive the right bokeh.

[Tenzin'sMom]

Originally Posted by kornbread

To reproduce the light effect in the background you need a shallow depth of field. Set your aperture to a low number (2.8 or lower). If you look at the lights, they actually look octagonal Those are your aperture blades.

I'm kind of stumped on the little red lights though. It could possibly be lens flair from the Christmas lights, but I took pictures all Christmas, and didn't get anything like that.

Originally Posted by monday

I too just got my first DSLR so I'm not really sure how those red lights got on there. I'm sure someone will know.
As far as the effect on the Christmas lights I think you want to learn more about bokeh. By having your Aperture on f/2.2 you created this effect. A lower aperture (f/16) or something would have had the tree in focus as well as your granddaughter. I'm sorry if this isn't the question you were asking. Maybe this link What is bokeh and DOF tips and photo examples will help.

I have some experience in Photoshop if you want me to take the red lights off the photo. Let me know!

Hey, thanks, kornbread and Monday. I figured it was a bokeh effect, and what you're saying about a large aperture makes perfect sense.

Originally Posted by monday

I went ahead and edited the spots out, I hope you don't mind. I used the patch tool in CS4 and did it in less that 5 minutes. It's not perfect but a little better.

Monday, that's amazing to me. My PP is limited to iphoto at this point, so I'm always impressed with people who do magic like that! But the funny part is, now that the sparkles are gone I miss them! She's such a sparkly little girl that it really fits her.

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Did you have a filter on the front of your lens?

Originally Posted by FocalFrenzy

Reflection from your UV filter is probably the culprit. Some of the shots I took of my son had green spots on them. I wasn't using a filter, and as it turned out, it was green glitter from an ornament he was playing with. Some of the things kids do, will always keep us guessing. BTW, I love this shot, and I also agree with the suggestions mentioned above about aperture settings to acheive the right bokeh.

Okay now, that's making sense. Thanks Richard and Focal Frenzy. There's always something new to learn, and DPS is such a great resource. I appreciate the help!

[monday]

Awwwe, I did not intend to take any sparkle away from her!! I'm falling in love with 50mm shots more and more everytime I see them. I know whats next in my collection. Wonderful capture!

[Tenzin'sMom]

Originally Posted by monday

Awwwe, I did not intend to take any sparkle away from her!! I'm falling in love with 50mm shots more and more everytime I see them. I know whats next in my collection. Wonderful capture!

Thanks, monday! I'm loving the 50mm -- that big aperture, the crispness, and it's just an easy, non-threatening lens to have on the camera. So glad you like this photo of my little sweetheart! I know that more PP is inevitably in my future, and it's just interesting to me to start observing when I like it and when I don't, so your edit of my photo was really a great help. Surprised me that I really liked that bit of artifact.