Birthday next friday

I have a birthday next friday and it is my first.
i need some tips and help on shots.
do i use flash on candle shots?????
any help will be good here

Golly, you write very well considering you've not reached your first birthday yet!

I'd advise trying not to use your flash for the candle shot. The kid's face will look nicer lit just by the candles. Don't be afraid to push your iso up if you need to.

michaelgreen78 wrote in post #5325042
Golly, you write very well considering you've not reached your first birthday yet!

I'd advise trying not to use your flash for the candle shot. The kid's face will look nicer lit just by the candles. Don't be afraid to push your iso up if you need to.

HAHA yes i am so happy and i asked mom and dad for a 1dsM3 lol

well that's what i thought and if the kid is not close enough we should make bigger FIRE lol.
thanks for the tip

Party Shots

I shoot on full "M" setting on both the camera and flash. Here's an easy way to calculate the exposure compensation as a function of the distance to the subject.
Shoot & chimp to get the best exposure at a midrange distance for the flash, like 5.6', 8' & 11'.
Now that you have that:
1/ With a prime lens:
Let's say that the right exposure for 8' is f/11. It's crowded & the next shot you take is at 5.6', so you change the f-stop to f/16. Why? Look here for details on light fall-off over distance:
Fill light at sunset

2/ With a zoom lens it's easier. Just stand at one of those fixed distances from the subject, & crop using the zoom.

I normally shoot in Manual Mode. But sometimes to get a feel of the room if it's a little challenging pop it in aperture priorit, take in the settings and then finesse them in manual.. Shoot in spot metering. Make sure to get the family, the cake, the blowing out of the candles, and be creative.. Have everyone in the room surround the bday person and point at them like "you're tha man/woman!!!".. "throw ya hands in the air!!" all smiling and having fun.. that's going to take your photos to the next level...

Here's one of mine from my little guy's bday last year...