A few for C&C please and some help

Wanted to get some C&C on a few pictures I snapped at a friends b-day party for their 1 year old. I realize that this selection doesn't capture a party theme, but I'm not trying to get C&C on whether or not I captured a birthday party or not (I have a few cake and gift pics, too!).

The issue I was having, which can be seen in #2 and #4 the most, is the shadows. The party was under the canopy of trees in the early afternoon. So, I was getting the shadows of branches quite a bit. What, if anything, can I do about that or am I SOL? I tried a few with flash, but was blowing pictures out bad. I kinda gave up quickly on that idea (I wanted to enjoy the party, too, and not just snap shots the whole day). Was I on the right track?

Any help on the shadow issue with 2 & 4 or C&C with 1 & 3 would be cool.

ps. yes, there is light on the nose of the lady in #1. Boooo!

pps. BONUS pic, one of my wife from the same day

1.

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Numbers 1-3 & 5 seem to have white balance problems. They all appear a bit cool. The mottled shadows on the faces in five mess that one up.

Hinson

How do I add the "IMAGE EDITING OK" thing to my profile?

I'm kinda seeing them being too cool as well now, like #1 and #5.

Great snapshots. Love the last one, even if the color is a bit bland. All the composition and focus is very good. Splotchy light is a bummer, but hey you have to grab the shot where and when you can. Take as many shots as you can, try to think about what you are doing before you push the shutter. It all falls into place, right? Right, I'm still working on it too!

Anyone else want to chime in?

Does anyone think flash could help splotchy light? My attempts that day were disastrous (I deleted right off the camera)! I just have the onboard flash right now, but I'm trying to learn more about flash photography. I don't feel I know enough to go and buy something yet.

Flash would definitely have helped but making sure that there are no shadows to start with is the best method.

Hinson

Adam;
Here is what the images would look like with a very quick white balance correction. Hope this helps.

Hinson

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Hinson! I have seen the light, lol!! Yes, that really helps. I'm going back to the RAW files and play some more