Prime or zoom or both for a kids party?

[carlyfan]

Originally Posted by Gumboots

I am still learning, especially about lenses. I have read about fast lenses etc, but never really experimented to be able to really 'see' what difference it makes. I am getting there though.

Basically, a fast lens is just one with a large aperture, and so allows faster shutter speeds(less motion blur), which is great for indoors or other low light situations.

Originally Posted by Gumboots

I shall try my hardest to get down to their level. I am 37 and a half weeks pregnant at the moment so it could be interesting!

Congratulations on your baby!

Originally Posted by Gumboots

I am loading them onto the computer as I type, but once I sort out the good from the bad and the ugly I shall post a link.

Please do, I would love to see them!

I'm glad the advice helped, although it may have made the party less enjoyable for you.

Lisa

[Gumboots]

Thanks Carlyfan! I actually enjoyed it more taking photos I think. Gave me something to do rather than just sitting around watching them, sounds a bit weird eh!

Here's a couple of my favourite ones...


20101016 by gumboots79, on Flickr


20101016 by gumboots79, on Flickr


20101016 by gumboots79, on Flickr

And I uploaded a few more of the better ones here:
Batman Birthday - a set on Flickr

Comments and tips more than welcome!

[TheEagleSpirit]

I use 18-50 2.8 for most of my shots and more satisfied with the 2.8 being more constant in all modes and iso speeds. The variable aperatures with zoom is not too impressive for me and starting with 2.8 all the way to f32 is constant no matter what zoom is. I also have a 2.8 nikkor 70-200 that produces the same way, I use it in lowlight concerts with great success. By the way I love my Nikon D90 and always trying different settings on the camera and learning new things every day.

[TheEagleSpirit]

Awesome kids and the shots show them so happy in all they are doing.

[Gumboots]

At the moment I only have the lenses which came with the D90 and D60 plus the prime which was given to me. I ended up using the 18-105mm at the party on Aperture priority and really only adjusted the ISO throughout the day, from memory from about 800 - 1600. They have come out a bit grainy I think, but not too bad.

It was hard because of the weird day, there was sun then clouds and then sun again, and the room had quite a few windows so it really made a difference.

I am pretty happy with what I got though, they could be better of course, but I am learning!

I am currently looking to buy a good macro lens, as my real obsession is macro, still doing all my research though! I think I am still at that point where I have so much to learn with what I have got that I don't want to rush into spending big bucks on more lenses until I can say I really understand them, if that makes sense.

[RLucas]

The shot of Batman staring the cupcakes down is awesome! They all look great, but that got a serious chuckle out of me! Good work!

[DelCan]

Originally Posted by Gumboots

Thanks Carlyfan! I actually enjoyed it more taking photos I think. Gave me something to do rather than just sitting around watching them, sounds a bit weird eh!

You did a very good job.
I'm a lot like you. I'd rather take the pics than sit around like a bump on a log! So I don't think it's weird at all.

[carlyfan]

Beautiful photos! You did a great job. My favorites are the one of batman and the cupcakes and also the one of the girl looking at the boy on your flickr. Excellent work, I look forward to seeing more.

Lisa

[Gumboots]

Originally Posted by RLucas

The shot of Batman staring the cupcakes down is awesome! They all look great, but that got a serious chuckle out of me! Good work!

One of the tips I read, which I think was on here somewhere said to get some shots of things that just aren't the kids, so the food and the decorations etc, and he jumped in just as I was trying to get that 'arty' cupcake shot. Worked well.

Beautiful photos! You did a great job. My favorites are the one of batman and the cupcakes and also the one of the girl looking at the boy on your flickr. Excellent work, I look forward to seeing more.

Lisa

Thanks Lisa! That is another of my favourite one too. She is my daughter and he is the birthday boy, they are pretty good mates so it's a really nice pic of the 2 of them.

I really should start getting some shots printed out and do something with them, it's just picking the best ones and working out what to do with them!