A Day at the Pumpkin Patch (with my son)

[MikeMaciazka]

Hi, I'm new to this section, first post here...I've owned my camera since August, but haven't had many chances to really learn it yet...Friday I went to the pumpkin patch with my son and his daycare friends...

His name is Oliver Thomas and he's 16 months old now. The boy with the gray jacket in the last pic is his best buddy, Deegan. He's a month older than Oliver and is the daycare ladies son.

Here are a few shots that I liked and I'll post the link to the album for the rest of them below the pics:

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp107/mikemaciazka/Pumpkin%20Patch%2009%20Daycare/IMG_0686.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp107/mikemaciazka/Pumpkin%20Patch%2009%20Daycare/IMG_0770.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp107/mikemaciazka/Pumpkin%20Patch%2009%20Daycare/IMG_0776.jpg


http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp107/mikemaciazka/Pumpkin%20Patch%2009%20Daycare/

Thanks for looking. I don't mind any C&C and I don't mind people editing my photos to show me different things.

Also, I just used photobucket to resize and do quick edits...my Photoshop Elements 5.0 isn't working and besides, I don't know a whole lot about it anyway.

Lastly, Sorry, I don't know what happened to the EXIF data...I'm assuming it's because I used Photobucket to edit?

[BGgraphy]

Looks like you had a fun day, nice shots

[Tim Park]

congrats on your new camera! i'm sure you'll have lots of fun with it. the first images look underexposed. you might also consider cropping out the blue tarps.

[skylark_sings]

Oh fun! I like the one with the red wheel very much!

[jenirose3]

Super cute in his little peacoat! I love it!

[MikeMaciazka]

All right, I went ahead and cropped the first shot and it looks 100 times better...thanks for the suggestion...I'll have to play with PS for the underexposure.

[Kristy]

Aww... somethng so cute about a little one in the pumpkin patch!
I think you'll enjoy posting in this section.. lots of nice people to help you along your journey, and tons of inspiration. :)

SInce you are asking for CC... on the first shot.. next time out in that scenario.. just bump a teensy bit of fill flash to his face .... Will help to make the image pop.

In post.. you can do a curves adjustment to lighten the face, and then just mask off the remainder of the image to your liking. :)

Happy Day!

[shaftmaster]

Nice shots. The first shot is my favorite, but it probably could've used some fill flash. The second shot might have been better if you shot it vertically to get his whole body in the frame. I think you need to zoom in a little closer to your toddler so we can see more of him. Did you use your 18-55 or 55-250 lens for these shots? Try both, and get some close ups of his different facial expressions. The best part of photographing kids is capturing the looks on their faces as they experience new things.

If you need help with PSE 5.0, see if you can locate the Scott Kelby book Photoshop Elements 5 for Digital Photographers. I was able to locate a copy of his PSE 4.0 book and it helped tremendously. I got my copy used through Amazon for only $8. Much cheaper than upgrading to PSE 7.0 or 8.0 and buying the most recent Scott Kelby book for $40. Use what you have until you know you need to upgrade.

By the way, you have a good set of lenses to start with, but you'll want to get an external flash for indoor shots of your toddler. You can probably pick up a Canon 430EX flash for $200 nowadays. It will make a huge difference when shooting moving subjects indoors.

[MikeMaciazka]

All of my shots that day were with the 18-55...I appreciate all the info...I did use fill flash on a few photos (not sure if any of the ones I have in the Photobucket account were with fill or not). Again, I took over 100 photos that day and tried different settings and what not with different shots...

I will definitely try to pick up a flash when I can afford to....I'm looking at the 430EX II for a few bucks more...Adorama had a refurb for $218 that I missed out on and haven't found one that cheap again.

[Kristy]

You don't need a flash.. I take plenty of images with available light.. just look for stuff that reflects back on the faces of you subject.. a concrete sidewalk, or someone's white shirt standing next to them... lol...

Bring along a small reflector and have your wife just toss a little extra sunshine into your scene.. Flash is nice sometimes... but natural light is always beautiful and perfect. Just gotta find a way to make it work for you, and give it a little direction on occasion. :)