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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Favorites from the Weekend

This morning we went to our friend Louis' soccer game. They won and Louis scored a goal. It really was so cute to watch 4 and 5 year olds run around like crazy. Anna and Lucy ate snacks the whole game. It was cooler today than it has been in a while, but we had a great time. Here are some cute pictures from the game.

I absolutely love the look of this picture. I know her face is really bright, but I like that. I am trying to learn to play with the Photoshop Elements that I have. I have a lot to learn, but I really love to play with it. I am still really really wanting the real photoshop (hint, hint Justin!)
lucy face 2
lucy 2

This afternoon Lucy had another 1st birthday party. We have had a 1st birthday party to attend the past three weekends. I didn't take any pictures at the party, but got these cute ones back at home.

Lucy squat
lucy rock
lucy chair
turtle
lucy grin
lucy turtle

I have a question for those of you who know anything about photography. When I set my camera on the no flash setting (which is my preference because the pictures look so much better), I often lose the crispness of the picture. They are more blurry, especially when you look closely. I don't like this. How do I make them crisp again and not blurry? Is it the lens? Or just my skills? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

23 comments:

kristin said...

hey kelly - thanks for the nice comment on my blog! :)

the thing with photos with no flash is that the shutter sometimes has to stay open longer to let enough light in... so even the slightest movement will make it "soft" or a little blurry... to compensate, you can adjust the aperture to let more light in, use a tripod, or sit the camera on something steady, or add a light source like a lamp or more sky, etc...

good luck! your pictures look great! you have a very cute subject. :)

Mama Bunny said...

now I have no idea what I'm talking about BUT I recently bought a 50mm 1.8 lens. I set my camera to get sharp images, and finally - FI-NA-LLY, I got the look I have been trying to achieve. I also didn't have my flash on. Make sure you have a lot of light. Are you shooting manually? I have just begun shooting in Program with my ISO on 200.

Lee said...

awesome pics girl. i feel like such a slacker...i need to step it up a notch! ;o)

A said...

I love looking at your pictures. Have you ever visited the Photography section of Two Peas in a Bucket? There is lots of inspiration there ; )
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/photography.asp

Andrea

Anonymous said...

The pics are AWESOME! Good subject! Dad says he doesn't have a comment because he just talked to you on the phone!!! So there you have it. Give the Goose a big hug and kiss from me! And, tell her that when I come I want to do some rocking! Love and kisses, LeeLee and PaPa

Unknown said...

If you have it on the automatic setting, the shutter is staying open longer to let in more light (its compensating for not having the flash on) Oh I see that someone already said that... but you could also change the ISO setting(your camera's manual will tell you how to find it) to a higher number (possibly 400 or 800 depending on what you are currently using) Using the manual setting on a camera can be a bit scary at first, but I get much better pictures this way. I also adjust my aperture so I dont use my flash. But I think your pictures are wonderful, and your too-cute-for-words lucy would look adorable even if the photograph was blurry :) LOVE your blog by the way

Nancy said...

I know nothing about photography, but I do know cute shoes - and those black shoes with the white flower that Lucy is sporting are adorable! :) Cute shoes for a cute girl!

Anonymous said...

It depends on what kind of blur you're talking about. Can you upload an image? Is it all-over blur (like out of focus)? Or just motion blur on part of the photo? Or grainy? It can make a huge difference in terms of how to alter settings to acheive the best results.

Those are great pictures, though. I'm jealous of your cold front! It is still insane here - hot and humid!

dwayne and melanie said...

Is it possible that this girl keeps getting cuter every day! You do great at taking her pictures! She is a great little model for you! Love, love, love her smile!

Mia's Mommy said...

Kelly, I use Photoshop and most of the Adobe Creative Suite. I love manuals so I usually just read it. But, in times I need to learn something quickly, or I need a video tutorial, I use the Lynda.com website. Photoshop Elements is one of the programs offered there. It's relatively cheap for the lessons, extremely easy to follow, you can pause and return to them at another time or date, and you can replay (or rewind whatever) if you need to see something again. All the higher programs I've had to learn I've used this. Every time Office updates, I use this. I can't say enough about it. So, you may want to check out the site. Hope this helps!

Melissa

btw, we live at the soccer fields. Mia is snack raider too. It's the highlight of the outing for her. But what is really cute is when some scores she yells, "Goal, Goal, Goal" like the Mexican league does. (hmmm...wonder where she picked that up? You think maybe daddy watches a little too much futball!)

Kristin said...

Hey Kelly,

Taran4ms pretty much stated what I would have told you. Try increasing your ISO setting. If you adjust the aperature to let more light in, you will find that you lose some depth of field. I would try ISO first, and then start adjusting your aperature second. And, if you are still having trouble, then I would start working with the shutter speed - anything slower than 1/60 of a second will likely result in blur from camera shake, even if you're trying to be a still as possible. I try to always keep my shutter speed faster than 1/60, especially when photographing children. Those are basically the steps I take in questionable lighting situations, including non-flash settings.

This is going to be the easiest place to start...there are ways to use the flash in more of a fill flash mode, so the flash isn't totally obvious, but I usually find it's more complicated than it's worth using the on-camera flash. And, a whole other novel..

Hope this helps! Your pictures are amazing! Before you know it, folks are going to be paying you to take pics of their kids!

Sharon said...

I love ourdoor pics! She is so pretty ; )

Anonymous said...

WHERE did you get and WHAT kind of shoes is Lucy wearing? Love them...maybe they have boy versions?

Also, wish I understood what all the previous posters were talking about with the photo thing. I have the exact same problem and am considering getting a Nikon D40 and some lessons or something to compensate! Coop is too cute not to have awesome photos!

Emily said...

i usually up the ISO.
but, be careful, b/c the higher your ISO the more grain in your photo. sometimes that is a cool look, but if you want to really blow them up it might not look so good. i usually stay below 400.
but, when i am outside i usually keep it on 100.
i also have this crazy gift where i can keep my arms as steady as a tripod! i think it is b/c i detest flash photography SO much that i have trained myself to be that steady.but the bur is from the shutter staying open so long. so invest in a little tripod.
someone suggested a 50mm lens and it really does do so much better for indoor photography.
but the best would be to buy a great flash and 'bounce' it.
that way you lose the shadows. i am dying for a good flash.
ok, i didn't read all of the comments, so this all might be repeats..sorry!
OH, as for photoshop, i think elements is all you need.
i only had photoshop for a few months, but my understanding is that most of what you need is in elements.
your pics look SOOO good!
em

Jenny said...

I third the 50 lens. I got that when I ordered my camera and still take some of the best. Then another friend told me to buy a fill flash If I have to use flash.

but to me, that pic of lucy, is one of my favs. It doesn't look like her face is too blown out.

and like everyone else said, try to use manual, it definitely makes a better pic. (when you can concentrate on it)

dwayne and melanie said...

Kelly- I am wanting to start a Favorite Blog of the week on my blog and Lucy has been such an inspiration and hope to me. I would like your permission to feature her and your blog as my first favorite. I keep praying for my Kaylee and recieve joy in following Lucy's adventures. You can email me at zotdachs@comcast.net if you don't mind me sharing Lucy on my blog. Thank you so much, Melanie

Anonymous said...

Where did you get that cute brown and pink shirt or dress?

Shawna said...

Kel, thanks for the question, because I have learned so much from the comments!! I've been having the same issues with my camera. Lucy Goose is such a ham...I love it! Such great pictures!

Anonymous said...

The pictures are great! I love Lucy pictures! I cannot help with the camera questions, so I hope you get the answers you are looking for!

Kate said...

I love Lucy's sweet dimpled smile! That must be the red dress you mentioned. Hmmm...I smell a purchase in the air. It's adorable!

Wish I can help with camera advice! I'll have to check back here to learn some tips myself!

Sherri said...

I had that problem to until I adjusted the ISO. Lucy looks adorable as usual! Coming this way anytime soon?

mam said...

1. I love the latest hairstyle; I think it's my favorite yet.

2. I'm so surprised by your comment on my blog that you need to clean up your language for Lucy -- I was specifically thinking of you as one of the "genteel" readers my language would offend! This makes me a bad person, I'm sure, but I love knowing that you're in the same boat as me.

Unknown said...

I was going to leave a comment about the cammera shake, but I think that everyone already mentioned most the things that I was going to say=)If it isn't too bad, just being aware and bracing yourself against something like a wall or tree to keep steady goes a long way. I have really shakey hands most of the time so it is almost second nature to me now! I will also mention that with the newer digital cameras, I really don't think the graininess with a higher ISO is that bad.

By the way, the pictures of Lucy are just beautiful!!!