Question from newbie

[khyou99]

1.What setting is best used for shooting kids in low light condition at outdoor ? I tried the following setting but the result is bad.
• relatively high shutter speed (1/100s) with flash. The object is well exposed but not the background.
• Slower shutter speed (1/2s) to properly expose the background but got blur object since my kids is moving.


2.What is the significant of the max f number (minimum aperture) of a lense. For example, a lense with f/2 – f/4 and f/2 – f/5 ?

 

[luna_sea83]

maybe try a higher ISO speeds?

Max f number would usually be about f22 for kit lens 18-55, if stated f2-f4 means it has zoom in it so

for example: 18-55mm f3.5-5.6
at 18mm min f number is f3.5, at 55mm min f number is 5.6

 

[blive]

1.What setting is best used for shooting kids in low light condition at outdoor ? I tried the following setting but the result is bad.
• relatively high shutter speed (1/100s) with flash. The object is well exposed but not the background.
• Slower shutter speed (1/2s) to properly expose the background but got blur object since my kids is moving.


2.What is the significant of the max f number (minimum aperture) of a lense. For example, a lense with f/2 – f/4 and f/2 – f/5 ?

What flash are you using? are you using the built-in flash? Try using a SB800 or SB600 for the longer reach of the flash.

I have got 2 kids too, and I use a high shutter speed. Try using the S-priority setting (1/100 should be alright in low light condition). Your aperture would be quite large at perhaps f/3.5 - f/5.6 (max for your 18-55), so your depth of field is quite shallow and background will not be in focus most times.

Anyway, must you have everything well-exposed? It depends on what you want to capture? Your children's face, your children's action, or the surrounding as your subject? Think about what you want to show in your photo too.