Lens for children's outdoor portraits

[imahawki]

Which of the three lenses I own do you think will result in the best outdoor children's portraits? I want to be close enough to use fill flash.

Thanks in advance.

[imahawki]

Maybe I put this in the wrong forum?

[bobbyz]

I have only used 50mm f1.8 so I can recommend that.

[sapearl]

Any of those lenses will work depending upon your skill level and how fast you are.

That being said, the longest lens would probably be the least helpful, being just too.... long on that end. The 50 would work pretty well, but the 18-55 is probably your best choice. It gives you a nice zoom range that will be quite handy as the kids dart around, and the at 55mm that would give a decent focal length for tighter head shots. To be honest though, I've never used a crop camera, but I'm just trying to extrapolate from what I use with FF. But I'm probably not too far off :D. - Stu

[CanonHowitzer]

I would think that your Canon 50mm f/1.8 would be the best choice if you want to be close. It probably also has the best IQ.

You might want to consider, for the future, an 85mm/1.8 if you will be taking a lot of this type of pictures. It would let you get back a little but not so much that you aren't close.

Just my humble thoughts.
Tks.
:)

[imahawki]

Thanks guys. I'll post the results.

[Helen Bartlett]

I would go for the 50mm too. I wouldn't bother with the flash, I love working with available light.

[imahawki]

I ended up shooting everything with the 55-250 in order to get out of the kids "faces" so to speak and at their age, its tough to capture them looking AT the camera yet still having a natural expressions so I backed off and got some more "candid" moments where they're looking at something or each other. I haven't had time to go through all of the images yet, do cropping, processing etc. but I said that I would post some shots. Here is one of the better images with both kids. What are your honest opinions??

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9563-Edit-2.jpg

[bobbyz]

Quite nice, IMHO.

[imahawki]

Thanks Bobby!

[sapearl]

Hawki, that is one FANTASTIC shot ! You nailed the timing on their expressions just perfectly. And I'll be the first to admit I was wrong in recommending that you not use the 55-250. Love the way you threw the background out of focus too. - Stu

[photobaby]

Very nice! I'm new at this but I think they look great. I'm getting the 55-250 lens for Mother's Day so I'm excited to try it out.

[imahawki]

Thank you for all the compliments. I can't wait to print this and see how it turns out!

[In2Photos]

I ended up shooting everything with the 55-250 in order to get out of the kids "faces" so to speak and at their age, its tough to capture them looking AT the camera yet still having a natural expressions so I backed off and got some more "candid" moments where they're looking at something or each other. I haven't had time to go through all of the images yet, do cropping, processing etc. but I said that I would post some shots. Here is one of the better images with both kids. What are your honest opinions??


Way to go against the grain! :D And a fantastic result for your effort! I too, prefer the candid look for younger children and a longer lens allows you to "stay out of the way" and get more natural expressions.

[imahawki]

Here are a couple other keepers....


http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9676-Edit.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9654-Edit.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9640-Edit.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9636-Edit.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9576-Edit.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd337/cjs-photos/IMG_9572-Edit.jpg

[bobbyz]

Quite nice.

[yokozuna80]

Goes to show you don't need "L" glass to get a sharp image. Really nice.

[studio34]

Hi,

Did you use any fill-in flash for these shots? They look great.

S

[imahawki]

No, all natural light. The light was cooperative that day.

[DaleMaren]

Great shots. I love them.

[QueenChatty]

Oh my your girls are beautiful and you sure captured them. Awesome photos. Can you tell me how you got such large images on here? Every time I upload a photo I get a message telling me they are to big. I have to resize them sooooo much that the pic is really small. I have Photoshop Elements 6.

[zasey]

I'm a firm believer in what may work for one, may not work for another. Way to go choosing the zoom lens!! The decision paid off!! GREAT photos!!!

[keyser]

hawki,

I like the first one and the last one the most! Very good timing on the first shot. Love the color contrast on the last one. The others are very nice as well.

I have the same camera and lens set as you. I use the 50mm for mostly for indoor / low light / portrait shots. For outdoor, I use the 18-55mm & 55-250mm interchangeably. I use the tele (55-250mm) for taking candid shots. My kids behave differently if they see me with a camera. One of them would shy away, while the other would pose goofily. The tele definitely help me capture their natural expressions ..

Have fun!

[Hinson]

Nice but you're trying to hard to 'pose' them. Here are my thoughts for what it's worth:
Second series:
#1) Nice snap
#2 She is too short to reach for that limb. Better she were holding on to the lower limb in back. And use both arms. I'm not fond of armpit shots though so neither appeal to me.
#3), again same. The one arm ape-hanging pose just doesn't work. Possibly pose her behind the tree looking around.
#4) Never tell a kid to 'smile.' You'll get that "ewww, I just smelled a skunk" grin every time. You have to make them smile. Say something stupid and it works almost every time. My favorite was " Ok! Say....STINKY FEET!" Be ready to click the moment the words come out of your mouth. That will usually elicit a smile out of even the toughest adolesent boy and always out of the younger ones.
#5) Best of the lot. I would like to see a bit more face but still a great shot.
#6) We're back to the forced pose. Looks unnatural.

I hope this helps and please remember that's these are only my opinions. They could be wrong.

[obnoxiousmom]

2 and 3 are the only ones that dont work for me but i think its the forced smiles and pose. The colors and clarity is wonderful and you did a good job on your lens choice. I might have to consider that one in my next purchase

[imahawki]

I truly appreciate the feedback. Posing is probably the biggest challenge as I learn to do portraits.

[obnoxiousmom]

I truly appreciate the feedback. Posing is probably the biggest challenge as I learn to do portraits.

Im struggling with the same thing

[DrRae]

These are wonderful photos!!!!!
Is this 55-250 you are talking about a Canon lens? Is there another brand that is cheaper but still as clear?

[imahawki]

Sorry for the late response. Yes the 55-250 was the Canon IS version. These pictures seem like a lifetime ago. Kit lenses and the XSi. It was a great introduction into this hobby. I need to save up for some more lenses for sure, I've applied a lot of my savings to the body and lighting... now my lens wish list has gotten very long.

MPro, I don't mind how the edit looks on my daughter but I think the way it changes the background is distracting. Maybe a mask and toning down that part of the image would be a happy medium. I like the idea though.

[j4k]

MPpro - you've murdered that IMHO. :cool:

[elizdaavis]

Right..It depends upon your skill, experience & how fast you are.

[gottahaveitjen]

Very nice. I too use my 55-250 so that I'm out of the way allowing to be themselves. Keep up the great work!

[YBMC]

Love these shots and most especially the first with the two girls looking out the window frame. Beautiful children, beautiful lighting and how much I love the colorful wardrobe with the bright flowers! So many of my clients want to wear all white and I wish more often they'd go for color.

Did you end up using fill flash?

[imahawki]

No fill flash.

[pixiepearls]

nice bright and crisp shots!

[hairy_moth]

Wow.. This is an old thread resurrected.
Seeing the shot in the 8th post (two girls looking out a window) was moment that I decided that there was a 200mm lens in my future. I was having an awful time getting nice candids of my young children, I thought the extra reach would help.

[sosaysmorvant]

What time of day were these shot? Was it overcast? The lighting looks almost perfect!!!

[imahawki]

It was overcast. One of those great days where there was a total cloud cover, but only thin. The time stamp on a random shot was just after 1pm.

[AvailableLight]

It was overcast. One of those great days where there was a total cloud cover, but only thin. The time stamp on a random shot was just after 1pm.Cloudy/overcast days are just perfect for outdoor photography.

[booboos]

How did you get the colours to be so bright? Flash? What settings please?

[imahawki]

No flash. Colors were baked very hot with Vibrance in Lightroom. I probably wouldn't process quite this hot today but this was one of my first portrait shoots with my kids.

[silverant]

Wow.. old thread resurrected.
the camera and lenses has been gone from his signature

Great shot ! great light

[imahawki]

My signature is outdated again. I have a 7D. This was shot with the first SLR I ever owned, an XSi.