How to shoot children in their motion ?


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Don't think you can do that if she starts crawling around.. ;p

Well.. then its bouncy flash time.. :D and already prepared for it.. SB400 and SB600
 

It's a bit soft, u may want to bump up iso to 200 or more to reach 1/60-1/80 shutter speed.

yup.. iso 400 gives me the best pictures at f2.8 in daylight indoor.
 

Hehe, you are right. Doesn't make sense for me to get such high end lens for my simple needs. How about the AF55mm f/1.8D? Cheap cheap. Or the AF55mm f/1.4D which is about twice the price? Think I can live with the manual focus since these are fixed lenses.
lol, I shoot babies and kids for living, so need to get the right tools.

anyway, what jopel said is correct, you may get the focus fast enough, but unable to freeze the movement of you baby.

using flash is recommendable, just point the flash head upward, aka ceiling bounce, remember to keep a distant with you baby, so she will not get a raccoon eye effect.

don't die die must get the prime lens to shoot with available light now, in the end you need to spend lot of time in front of computer for correcting the color, and also you may just get one eye in sharp focus (too shallow depth of field). wait till you have better skill then consider prime lens, else you miss the lot of opportunities to photograph you baby.

hope this help.
 

I shoot baby and kid for my hobby most of the time. Motion shot is usually quite difficult and the best method so far is to pre-focus and anticipate the child's next movement. Although I use manual lenses a lot, I do not recommend manual lenses for motion shot as it may be too difficult for most.
 

Have you heard about the 'other' Golden Photographers' Rule ... 'Never shoot kids and animals if you can. They are the hardest subjects, ever!'

But frankly, they offer some of the most beautiful pictures, moments and memories if done well.

I'm not a Nikon user, so I'm not familiar with the idiosyncracies like some bods not offering AF with certain lenses etc, but what I can say is getting familiar with your equipment is paramount and directly tied-in to increasing the percentage of keepers, regardless of what brand of camera you use.

From an increased amount of technically good shots, you can then start to concentrate on more 'freedom' in capturing expressions and fleeting moments.

Since shooting digital doesn't incur a bomb in developing and printing fees, I suggest shooting and practicing a LOT, in different settings and conditions until you're very confident about your camera settings and know how to use your flash to it's best advantage, which normally means pointing it anywhere but directly at the subject unless you're using a diffuser or modifier.

Facing difficulties and frustrations? Come in and post up in CS and discuss technicalities to learn more. Treat it like a 'virtual learning classroom' for case studies. But most important thing is, not matter how frustrated you get, don't slow down or give up. KEEP SHOOTING and think about what you are doing.

Sorry I'm not familiar with Sony DSLRs so I can't offer technical pointers.
 

Dear all,

Pardon me if i hijack this thread; however my bundle of joy has arrived recently and i have been considering get a DSLR for the longest time.

I guess the debate will goes on which brand i will get and i would like to skip it here as i decided it will be a nikon.

The advice i am seeking would be 50mm F1.8 is essential to take infant and eventually children in the motion. Or kit lens is good enough.
It will very much decide which camera i am going to get, D60 or D80, mainly due to the differences of ability to use the AF on the mentioned 50mm. Or how difficult is it for an amateur to handle manual focus if i am going for the combo of D60 with 50mm.

Many thanks!!

Cheers,
Ray
 

Dear all,

Pardon me if i hijack this thread; however my bundle of joy has arrived recently and i have been considering get a DSLR for the longest time.

I guess the debate will goes on which brand i will get and i would like to skip it here as i decided it will be a nikon.

The advice i am seeking would be 50mm F1.8 is essential to take infant and eventually children in the motion. Or kit lens is good enough.
It will very much decide which camera i am going to get, D60 or D80, mainly due to the differences of ability to use the AF on the mentioned 50mm. Or how difficult is it for an amateur to handle manual focus if i am going for the combo of D60 with 50mm.

Many thanks!!

Cheers,
Ray


I would suggest getting the 50mm f1.8 if you have extra cash the 50mm f1.4 would be a better choice. Between the D60 & D80, I would get the D80.
 

@seanray

I would suggest you try them out before you commit on the D60. I.e. go to a shop and as for the D60 to be loaded with a 50mm and test for yourself.

Would not recommend you to use MF if you have not used or experience it before, although D60 unlike D40x does come with a range finder, which will tell you whether you are in focus or not.. just that the lens does not focus by itself. D40x or D40 comes with only a green dot :embrass: So in general.. its quite usable.

D80 would be a better choice, but do take note that it will be heavier and more expensive. Depends on your budget.. esp when you might have already spend a bomb, like me, for the arrival of your bundle of joy.
 

Dear all,

Pardon me if i hijack this thread; however my bundle of joy has arrived recently and i have been considering get a DSLR for the longest time.

I guess the debate will goes on which brand i will get and i would like to skip it here as i decided it will be a nikon.

The advice i am seeking would be 50mm F1.8 is essential to take infant and eventually children in the motion. Or kit lens is good enough.
It will very much decide which camera i am going to get, D60 or D80, mainly due to the differences of ability to use the AF on the mentioned 50mm. Or how difficult is it for an amateur to handle manual focus if i am going for the combo of D60 with 50mm.

Many thanks!!

Cheers,
Ray


Btn D80 and D60, I chose the latter because of the weight. Very portable with the kit lens. D80 is significantly heavier and later on if you decide to add on heavier lenses and flash, it can become quite a burden especially since I'm a female photographer. So far, I find the D60a very good entry level DSLR.

As for manual focus, I think with the 50mm prime lens, it shouldn't be too difficult. The thing about taking kids is you've got to be fast. If using telephoto lens, you need to adjust the zoom as well so if doing MF, there are 2 things you need to adjust (with the hand on the lens). However, with fixed lens, you only need to adjust the focus with the hand on the lens so still manageable. Hope this makes sense. 2 cents from a co-newbie.

Having said that, Nikon may just come up with AF-S fixed lens very soon to cater to its new range of cameras so maybe you should just play with the kit lens first. Should be good enough for the first few months ;)
 

lol, when Nikon have more AFS prime lens, you will be complaint it is too expensive.

btw, 60mm Micro AFS lens is out, I'm waiting to get one. hehehe.
 

Having said that, Nikon may just come up with AF-S fixed lens very soon to cater to its new range of cameras so maybe you should just play with the kit lens first. Should be good enough for the first few months ;)

Or get the highly acclaimed (http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=360219) Sigma 30/1.4 HSM.
 

Have you heard about the 'other' Golden Photographers' Rule ... 'Never shoot kids and animals if you can. They are the hardest subjects, ever!'

This is waaayyyyy harder.. <10% hit rate :sweat: and AF is just way too slow even with CAM3500.
Dragonfly003.jpg
 

This is waaayyyyy harder.. <10% hit rate :sweat: and AF is just way too slow even with CAM3500.
Dragonfly003.jpg

LOLZ!

Then you need that portable Uber macro photography set-up that some German or Austrian photographer kitted together. It looked like he had metal frames and an entire mini-labratory cum studio strapped to his shoulders wia webbing ... but his insects in motion shots were absolute perfection! It hurts me to say that I did not keep a link to his webpage.
 

@seanray

I would suggest you try them out before you commit on the D60. I.e. go to a shop and as for the D60 to be loaded with a 50mm and test for yourself.

Would not recommend you to use MF if you have not used or experience it before, although D60 unlike D40x does come with a range finder, which will tell you whether you are in focus or not.. just that the lens does not focus by itself. D40x or D40 comes with only a green dot :embrass: So in general.. its quite usable.

D80 would be a better choice, but do take note that it will be heavier and more expensive. Depends on your budget.. esp when you might have already spend a bomb, like me, for the arrival of your bundle of joy.

hi bomby,
thanks for the info.
i might need to find out more abt the range finder on D60.
Anyway, taking kids must be fast hence doesn't MF hinders being fast consider a newbie like me.
I am aware of the weight and the cost hence that's why i am deciding on which. i have borrowed a 350D to try out and find its size is kinda small for me to hold hence i think that 400D, D40, D40x & D60 not an ideal size for me. i have briefly held a D80, yes it is slightly heavier but the grip is definitely more firm as it suits my hands. ( My hands ain't big)

congrats to ur bundle of joy ... so u got a D80?
care to share which lens u using more often to take your child :)
 

For those who are thinking of getting a 50mm f1.8D these are some pics at f2.8.. me no pro.. so pardon the bad IQ, just capturing my daughter's moment... all using natural lights from my full height window in the afternoon.. on a D40x

DSC_0015.jpg


DSC_0026.jpg


DSC_0847.jpg
 

Heres what I got with a 50mm.. at f1.8 I think iso100 and speed at 1/30. Natural light with window at about 3m away. Taken in the day. She is playing with her fingers at that time.

DSC_0054.jpg

I think this pic is not soft because of slow shutter or anything but I think the focusing is too front. The nose is more in focus than the eyes.

That shows how difficult it is to focus correctly if you intend to use shallow DOF.
 

Btn D80 and D60, I chose the latter because of the weight. Very portable with the kit lens. D80 is significantly heavier and later on if you decide to add on heavier lenses and flash, it can become quite a burden especially since I'm a female photographer. So far, I find the D60a very good entry level DSLR.

As for manual focus, I think with the 50mm prime lens, it shouldn't be too difficult. The thing about taking kids is you've got to be fast. If using telephoto lens, you need to adjust the zoom as well so if doing MF, there are 2 things you need to adjust (with the hand on the lens). However, with fixed lens, you only need to adjust the focus with the hand on the lens so still manageable. Hope this makes sense. 2 cents from a co-newbie.

Having said that, Nikon may just come up with AF-S fixed lens very soon to cater to its new range of cameras so maybe you should just play with the kit lens first. Should be good enough for the first few months ;)

Yup i have to agree that weight of the D60 is lighter but the grip wise D80 suits be better as D60 size will cos my tiny finger to be left out of the grip, feeling kinda awkward.

on the being fast part if without MF won't it be better?
I have yet to try do MF, maybe i should ask around for someone to let me try the MF.
i have read that sigma is coming out with 50mm f1.8 HSM = AFS but not sure abt the price and quality compared to 50mm f1.8 nikon lens

hmmm my thought is if the lens kit is good enough for infant and baby photo taking.
 

I think this pic is not soft because of slow shutter or anything but I think the focusing is too front. The nose is more in focus than the eyes.

That shows how difficult it is to focus correctly if you intend to use shallow DOF.

Yes.. thats the other problems.. when shooting at f1.8... focusing is very important.. thats why have learnt my lesson.. and using f2.8 now.. ;p
 

Yup i have to agree that weight of the D60 is lighter but the grip wise D80 suits be better as D60 size will cos my tiny finger to be left out of the grip, feeling kinda awkward.

on the being fast part if without MF won't it be better?
I have yet to try do MF, maybe i should ask around for someone to let me try the MF.
i have read that sigma is coming out with 50mm f1.8 HSM = AFS but not sure abt the price and quality compared to 50mm f1.8 nikon lens

hmmm my thought is if the lens kit is good enough for infant and baby photo taking.

kit lens is good enough.... if light is not an issue, but this is always the case. But normally.. infant.. difficult to go outdoors in their first few months... and the external flash manual also state that do not use flash at less than 1m from infant. if budget is non issue.. get the D80
 

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