Christian Photographers Community

I want to try to take good quality photos of my kids, but don't have a good quality camera.  I have a camcorder that also takes digital pictures and a 35mm camera that I use also.  If this works out, I will upgrade.

What I would like to know is about outdoor photos.  When is the best time of day, as far as the natural lighting etc.?  I would love to have some professional photos but don't have the time plus we live a good distance from them and they look terrible by the time we drive anywhere.  This way, I can get them dressed and go around town and take pictures.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Samantha

Typically before, say, 8:30/9 AM is the best for morning shots. After that, the sun is harsh and you would want to use some sort of diffuser or fill flash if you were shooting portraits/kid shots. After 4 PM is good for evening shots.

Also you should be fine on any overcast day. Find some open shade underneath a tree or veranda. The most frustrating place to start though will going out in full sun with no shade.. you willl find you like the shots a lot more early AM or dusk....
I would also say use your 35mm JMHO... and get out there and have fun and don't be afriad to get close. :)

I've been asked a number of times what one should check into when buying a new camera, esp. from a shop down town.
e.g. how can we determine that the lens is "perfect"?
Any other "must check items"?
Perhaps some "candid comments" from veterans in DIGITAL camera use will be helpful for us to share with those buying their first camera, or new cameras.
We could continually update this "check list" for the benefit of those who look forward to upgrading their equipment.

What type of pictures do you tend to take?

I'm a photojournalist by style so I use a 20D with a 17-85mm IS USM lens that lets me shoot at 1/5th of a shutter speed and has the equivalent zoom of a 27-135mm.

That's matched with my (soon to be replacing my 70-300mm) 100-400mm IS USM L lens.  I don't deal much with super wide angle and 27mm is fine with me.

I'd tend to stay away with third party lenses (cheap glass, bad design...)  Not really worth the headache.

but a general all around is always a 28-135mm (or 17-85mm on digital canons)...  Wide enough and long enough and you don't have to switch lenses in between ;)