What Happened Here?

Hey everyone. I took some shots of a baby and his mom today but I'm not sure how this overexposure happened. The photo is actually supposed to be rotated but I kinda like it as it is. Can anybody do some pp and/or give me some constructive criticism? Thanks. I took these in a room with one window (south facing).
#1

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looks like you exposure compensation was set to run

I haven't done enough child photography to give good feedback on posing for mother child (though I'm never a fan of amputated images), but I can explain the exposure problems - you were in Manual! AV or TV would have been far easier to work with under the conditions, and if you'll be in considerably low light like this often a flash might be a worthwhile investment for you. Or Noise Ninja, etc.

-Sean

Paul Lowell wrote in post #5104333
looks like you exposure compensation was set to run

Yeah, run-amok! Thanks for your comment.

Hey thanks, how can you tell that I was in Manual Mode?

# Camera Make = Canon
# Camera Model = Canon EOS 20D
# X-Resolution = 72/1 = 72
# Y-Resolution = 72/1 = 72
# X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
# Last Modified Date/Time = 2008:03:11 23:45:58
# Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) = co-sited / datum point (2)
# Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
# Exposure Mode = manual exposure (1)
# White Balance = auto (0)
# Scene Capture Type = standard (0)

plus this

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/125 second = 0.008 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 40/10 = F4
# Exposure Program = manual control (1)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 1600
# Exif Version = 0221
# Original Date/Time = 2008:03:11 23:45:58
# Digitization Date/Time = 2008:03:11 23:45:58
# Components Configuration = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
# Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 456510/65536
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/125 second
# Aperture Value (APEX) = 262144/65536
Aperture = F4
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/2 = 0
# Metering Mode = pattern / multi-segment (5)
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 50/1 mm = 50 mm
# FlashPix Version = 0100
# Colour Space = sRGB (1)
# Image Width = 3504 pixels
# Image Height = 2336 pixels
# Focal Plane X-Resolution = 3504000/885 = 3959.32
# Focal Plane Y-Resolution = 2336000/590 = 3959.32
# Focal Plane X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)

I really like the first two....such loving touching images..... and because of the exposure in the first one i felt that a mono conversion would suit...

and i like the portrait style for the second one.... just my thoughts though.... .

The EXIF data for the shot reflects as much and was still attached to the image. Shooting Manual can be great under controlled (or at least unchanging) conditions, but it absolutely requires that you keep an eye on the exposure meter in camera. Otherwise you end up with blowout / dark shots. Shooting AV / TV is one easy way to prevent this.

Sean

ISO 1600 is probably the problem

Since you were shooting in manual I would say that your exposure settings were just off. I would recommend the book Understanding Exposure written by Bryan Peterson. The last two images are salvageable, the first one has blown out highlights and the detail is lost. Here are a some edits of the last two.

Based on your EXIF I would say your ISO was too high, and that's why it was blown. And shooting in manual is the best IMO, I shoot all manual, 100% of the time, and that includes small children, babies, etc. Once you know how to shoot in manual, you should be able to change your settings fast enough for portraits.

A point of clarification - ISO does NOT cause images to be blown out. Incorrect exposure settings cause images to be blown out. With a shutter speed limit of 1/8000 second and an f-stop that will go down to f32.0 you can control nearly any light.

I would expect that what happened was the scene was metered on the people and then shifted to include the bright spot shown. Very basic user error. Done it thousands of times myself.

You have a point there, the ISO doesn't cause it, but everything else didn't match his ISO..

Thanks Titus213 and all who commented. I've learned more today about my specific issue than I had by reading three photography books. I made several mistakes today. But in this potentially great shot it was the manual mode and the way I metered/shifted it like you said. Also, I thought I was using my flash Speedlite 420ex today but all the exif stuff says "no flash". Guess what? I forgot to put the recharged flash batteries back in the unit before I left for the session. Duh! It's so fun making mistakes. I'll get better, right? Keep going! Yeah!

If I could bother you all a little more...How do I get those wonderful edits like the b&w or the color versions? I have PhotoElements 5.0 not CS. I'm sure some of the editing features are similar. Thanks again.

Titus213 wrote in post #5104662
A point of clarification - ISO does NOT cause images to be blown out. Incorrect exposure settings cause images to be blown out. With a shutter speed limit of 1/8000 second and an f-stop that will go down to f32.0 you can control nearly any light.

I would expect that what happened was the scene was metered on the people and then shifted to include the bright spot shown. Very basic user error. Done it thousands of times myself.