Would like some feedback for a newb

[az3579]

So, I'm a newb at this stuff. Would like some advice, generally on how I could make the best use of the light I have (and anything else y'all want to school me on!).

I had an opportunity to seize for some pictures of my dog (more appropriately what my niece did to my dog) and my neice.


So, how could I improve on this? I know there's much to be desired, but the only way I'll learn is if I constantly show people pics and get feedback...

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6148235331_f28a383745_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148235331/)
IMG_1627 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148235331/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6148234915_793d935a63_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234915/)
IMG_1614 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234915/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6148234803_779536a517_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234803/)
IMG_1613 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234803/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6148234707_0377dd95fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234707/)
IMG_1610 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148234707/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6148785840_6134a42898_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785840/)
IMG_1624 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785840/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6148785742_48e2b90cb1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785742/)
IMG_1621 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785742/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6148785642_734ecf2e3c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785642/)
IMG_1620 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148785642/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6148235011_5afb3faf5a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148235011/)
IMG_1615 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65070296@N06/6148235011/) by botond.pal (http://www.flickr.com/people/65070296@N06/), on Flickr

[C Withers Media]

2 is my favorite of the set BP.

The bottom line with most of these shots is that they are blurry or out of focus, so you have already identified your issue, and that is a good start.

You asked about more light or better utilizing available light.

Long exposure will not work because you are dealing with moving or subjects that have potential to move. Your best bet at this point, short of purchasing a speedlight, would be to up your ISO so you can increase your shutter speed.

My guess is that you are not using fast glass and that limits you considerable as well. Try to get your f/stop as high as possible (lowest number), and make ISO adjustments to around ISO 1600 which your t2i should be able to handle without severe loss in image quality.. This will allow you to increase your shutter speed and help take care of the most noticeable and immediate problem of blurry shots. Beyond that, keep shooting and experimenting with the light you have available. I often just shoot a coke can to experiment around the house.

CW

[az3579]

Wow, I didn't realize the ISO had to be so high. I was told by someone to keep the ISO as low as possible. I sort of misinterpreted that, and to compensate, I was keeping the shutter speed very low. I always thought high ISO = bad? I once took a few shots at high ISO and was far too grainy for my taste, but that was at 3200. I didn't try 1600. I was shooting most of these at 800. It also goes without saying that I had to touch up all of these photos in Lightroom because the way came straight from the camera was highly inadequate...

Currently I'm using the stock lense that came with the camera. I can't afford anything else at the moment...

Sound advice CW. I will keep shooting random stuff until I get my settings and such dialed in. Is it OK if I continue to use this thread to post further shots?

[Oli77]

The high ISO being bad is probably leftover from people shooting on film. To increase the sensitivity of the film (high ISO) the chemical manufacturing process resulted in much increased grainyness on the finished product.

Now that everything is digital, I don't think high ISO is that bad anymore (still adds grain though).

But I'll let our in house photographers chime in.

[C Withers Media]

You are correct that you want to keep you ISO as low as possible, but not at the expense of blurred and underexposed images.

[dinanm3atl]

You are correct that you want to keep you ISO as low as possible, but not at the expense of blurred and underexposed images.


A sound point and something many do miss when they are starting out. Don't be afraid of increasing the ISO.