Need some advice on how to shoot birthday photo

[Brandy327]

We recently bought one of the Canon Digital Rebels and on Saturday, my dh and I are planning on taking some photos of our son. These photos are going to be for his first birthday invitation. We have this great birthday hat we're going to use as well as some balloons. Although I want the balloons as background (maybe him even holding one), I want the focus of the picture to be of my son wearing the hat. What should I dress him in as to not distract away from him or the hat? Should I leave him in just a diaper? Or maybe just a pair of jean shorts with no shirt?

I'm very new to the camera and to photography in general. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[stopbath]

Personally, dress him as you would for the event. If clad in diapers is his 'gettin dressed for a special occasion' mode, then sure just go for diapers. I think a nice pants and shirt would suit best, as this is always more 'gussied up' than shirt less. Go for a nice outfit that is not too vibrant, or busy. Perhaps a nice solid colour. Naturally the cake will be all over the place so don't dress in fancy clothes that will be destroyed if stained... (well, on the other hand, it might be worth the shots...)

Keep a narrow depth of field to keep the back ground less distracting (clean up the back ground too can help!) (use a small aperture number.)

Use more natural light and less flash too to ease up on the harsh shadows.

Try lots of different angles of view.

Have fun.

[garethhhhh]

1.) If you want your son to be in focus you might want to change the AF Points as the situation requires. When focusing always make sure the AF Point you have selected is on your son, when you have focussed on your son that AF Point with flash red :wink:

2.) If you are shooting indoors you might want to consider setting the camera at ISO 400, this will afford you faster shutter speeds & will help eliminate camera shake. If you are shooting outdoors on a sunny day ISO 100 will be fine. :idea:

3.) Try not to use the flash

4.) Turn the dial to Av & use a low apeture eg. 4.0

5.) Get some practice before the big day... Get lots of practice :wink:

[garethhhhh]

PS. Make sure you read up on Apetures, Depth of Field and AF Points.
An apeture of 4.0 will have your subject in focus with the background blurred slightly, whereas, with an apeture of 8.0 your background will be less blurred.
So for a portrait shot 4.0 will be fine but if, for example, you wanted to take a shot of everyone down the length of a long table then an apeture of 8 or 11 will probably be more suitable since it would bring them all into focus (just note that your shutter speed will be longer, so you might get some camera shake).