Son's bday party...please C&C

[usingthejohn]

Held our son's birthday party on Sunday, 11/8/09 and we had a blast. It got a bit chilly towards the end of the afternoon, and I was a bit busy tending to the guests and watching for our son. Anyhoo, onto the photos.
I also posted these in the family events section...but I'm trying to gain more views so I can get the most responses, in turn leading to more tips :)

thanks for looking!
1. terrible framing
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/card/707727769_4qQug-M.jpg
2. some of my wonderful in-laws :D
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/card-2/707726293_xTzqL-M.jpg
3. Guest of Honor
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/guest-of-honor/707740974_bGUAm-M.jpg
4. some of the family. terrible lighting, didn't expose correctly
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/group/707735837_fPgKZ-M.jpg
5. probably the friendliest dog i've ever met (and a bit adventurous...he just came from fishing)
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/community-dog/707729199_3KmM4-M.jpg
6.
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/cousins-3/707731435_tgCqB-M.jpg

[usingthejohn]

a few more shots: please tell me how I did and where I didn't do so well.

all shot with a 50d, 70-200 f4L (Non-IS), 580EX II and aV mode

7. my cousin's family
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/dumas-family/707734317_Zf4qR-M.jpg
8. background lighting was a bit harsh
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/michelle-n-irene/707747090_G4HkF-M.jpg
9. closeup of my little cousin
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/michelle/707748380_AaBXG-M.jpg
10. my dad and son
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/lolo/707746039_iBWWC-M.jpg
11. Pinata time! it didnn't come out sharp, though
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/pinata/707754528_Ub3oF-M.jpg
12. son running from his monster auntie...lol
http://usingthejohn.smugmug.com/People/My-family/run/707755973_6FmET-M.jpg

[Flo]

Out of all of these, I like Grampa and Gson the best.....the rest are great for your photo album and memories:D

Watch your backgrounds, be watchful of the bright lights, squinting and hot areas.

#7.see that huge tree coming out of her head?

Its sometimes best to choose three photos and have them C&C.instead of posting as many as you can.

[ScottKCooper]

I agree about the backgrounds. thanks for sharing!

[Canon Jack]

nice work with your fill-flash. Keep in mind its a birthday party not a photo shoot. Don't beat yourself up. You got some great shots! Just keep taking pictures the more you take the better your chances of getting some real keepers. I like your PP if you've done any. Everyone looks natural and not over saturated.

[usingthejohn]

thank you guys for looking and the comments.

Yeah, it was a party, but it was also our son's first b-day, so i wanted to do my best to give him photos he can look at when he's older.

as far as PP, all I did was use Portrait shot settings, dial down the brightness, add minimal contrast, and minimal saturation.