FZ50 photo or 7D photo you choose

[LTZ470]

1

2

3

[Raghu]

Nice real life action pictures. I like 1 and 3. The middle one, though properly shot, looks a little overexposed because of the bright top light. While I understand you don't have much time to compose action shots, a popping head there and toes cut here do catch my attention.

[JohnG]

Some fun pics - and some really cute kids!
a couple quick suggestions:
1) try to capture faces instead of backs (first shot you timed very nicely but the shot would be infinitely more interesting if taken so you could see her face)

2) on tight shots of faces - get the face exposed properly - shot 2. My suggestion for this type of shot is to use fill-flash. With a backlit subject, that's the perfect time to use fill flash. If you don't want to use flash then adjust your exposure (exposure compensation or manual exposure) so faces look good - with bright light like that though you'll have some pretty blown highlights outside the face though.

These tips would apply regardless of whether you were using fz50 or 7d

[LTZ470]

I agree Raghu...like #1 and #3 very well myself...

[LTZ470]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Some fun pics - and some really cute kids!
a couple quick suggestions:
1) try to capture faces instead of backs (first shot you timed very nicely but the shot would be infinitely more interesting if taken so you could see her face)

2) on tight shots of faces - get the face exposed properly - shot 2. My suggestion for this type of shot is to use fill-flash. With a backlit subject, that's the perfect time to use fill flash. If you don't want to use flash then adjust your exposure (exposure compensation or manual exposure) so faces look good - with bright light like that though you'll have some pretty blown highlights outside the face though.

These tips would apply regardless of whether you were using fz50 or 7d

Thanks John for the excellent tips...I am learning slowly and this really helps me to think about what I did and then how I can apply your corrections to my shots...I am wanting to learn to take this kind of shot and learn good composition and your words of wisdom will be taken to heart! Thanks!...

Macros are easy and inanimate objects, etc...then you think you know a little...then you start taking photos of people and you realize you have to learn a complete different approach basically...

No contest on action shooting with 7D versus FZ50...but the FZ50 shots above really impressed me and with the manual zoom it's good fun...

Thanks again John...

[Clint501]

It's hard to get faces sometimes - when I try to get good face shots of the grand kids they usually run the other way! I can still out run them - but not for long!

[JohnG]

Clint,

The key is to be inobtrusive - and consistent. My son, my nieces and nephews are used to me having my camera out. And I rarely ask for them to pose. I move my position based on what they're doing and I wait. On a recent vacation I got in the pool with my camera and waited for my shots and took what my son 'gave' me when he was facing my direction:


during a dodge-ball game I made sure I positioned myself opposite one of the teams and took photos of those kids - and ignored the ones opposite and then switched positions to get them:


or this one of my son jumping off a tire. As soon as I saw him climbing I knew he was going to jump off - so I moved to the side of the tire he'd face when he jumped off (since he climbed up the other side). I was there and ready a good 30 seconds before he was ready to jump:


The key with capturing these types of shots is to anticipate and to basically be patient and wait, with camera ready. You may be there for 15-20 minutes with camera raised waiting for the shot you want to take - but you anticipate the type of shot you want and you wait with camera ready. If you ask kids to pose or if you wait with camera on table for the moment to happen it doesn't work well. Occasionally you get lucky and just happen to capture the right moment but more often than not, great photos of your kids/grandkids in action are made by planning and anticipating on your part. That, and conditioning the kids to ignore you with a camera.

[LTZ470]

Great info John...thanks...love your family pictures too!...I am going to work on my skills for those types of photos when I get home as we are going on a cruise...I really don't feel like packing the 7D and will just take the Panasonic's & Canon S90...

[mtclimber]

Nice family shots, LTZ-

Sarah Joyce

[Clint501]

It's not the camera that makes them run - it's their unlimited energy!

I love trying to catch their natural poses and every once in a while I get in the right spot.
You are right on about anticipating and being ready.

I was in the right spot on this one.