Setting myself up for failure...

I think its just an issue of when I tend to have time but I don't know WHY I insist on taking my already marginally cooperative kids out to shoot pictures at like 11:45 when the sun is straight overhead. What a complete bust. And as soon as I realize the light sucks I always kick myself but then it seems like I don't necessarily learn from it either.

This seems like an easy problem to correct.

Your lighting problem is correctable... it's the ugly kids that are the problem.

For mid day, take a flash and experiment with shooting in shaded areas and with the kids backlit, and use the flash for fill. Plus, try going out in the late afternoon or after dinner!

I tried to shoot in shade with fill flash but the problem I ran into is there is always a tree letting in a spike of light so I end up with a palm sized area of hair or face that is completely blown out or a big shadow across half the face. Obviously waiting for the right time of day is the easy answer.

imahawki wrote in post #10565599
I tried to shoot in shade with fill flash but the problem I ran into is there is always a tree letting in a spike of light so I end up with a palm sized area of hair or face that is completely blown out or a big shadow across half the face. Obviously waiting for the right time of day is the easy answer.

Get your significant other to block the stray light with a rigid piece of foam or cardboard or something. Prolly have to stand on a chair or something, but it is effective. Or, find a large tree that doesn't have sunspots. Of course, you could just shoot at another time of day

imahawki wrote in post #10565205
I think its just an issue of when I tend to have time but I don't know WHY I insist on taking my already marginally cooperative kids out to shoot pictures at like 11:45 when the sun is straight overhead. What a complete bust. And as soon as I realize the light sucks I always kick myself but then it seems like I don't necessarily learn from it either.

Is that gorilla really one of yours?

@Ricardo - Are you talking about on my website? Every image on my site is mine.

@tim - I hear you. I am going to try again this weekend with hopefully the added benefit that maybe it won't be 96 degrees.

timbop wrote in post #10567497
Get your significant other to block the stray light with a rigid piece of foam or cardboard or something. Prolly have to stand on a chair or something, but it is effective. Or, find a large tree that doesn't have sunspots. Of course, you could just shoot at another time of day

Or buy a cheap multi reflector similar to this one (I have one similar except larger). Amazing the difference they can make - can even be used to shade.

The problem is that the 24 hour day is poorly arranged for photographers that have a family life. Really, we all have routines that conflict with golden hour (primarily sleeping or eating dinner).

When you want to take family shots, you need to just take control, and rearrange your day around the pictures.

I agree Hairy, generally the morning just isn't going to happen with kids my age, so I get a couple hours a day and they are during dinner, bath time etc. Not complaining, that's life I guess. I'll have to see if I can employ my wife to be a VARS etc.

TBH with family stuff, it is often a compromise between time restraints for them and light for you.

Unless you can modify or add light, you will often struggle to balance the two elements.

Look forward to those cloudy overcast days

BTW.. Some of your shots are beautiful. I remember being inspired by the shot of your girls, looking out of what looks like a covered bridge, when you first posted it last year.. As I recall you mentioned that you were getting better results for candids by using a longer lens. I believe that the weekend before you posted that I had taken some candid shots of my kids that did turn out nearly as well, and thinking I've gotta start trying that.

WOW, thanks! And yes, overcast days do work well if you can then add a little light for pop.