August 13, 2010 12:37 pm
Nikon D90, 50mm 1.8
Manual, No Flash, ISO 200, SS 1/640, f/1.8
RAW, Pattern Metering, AF-S, WB in Auto
After typing my data in for the photos I chose I realized that just changing lens on your camera and then throwing it in your purse, pulling it out in a hurry and dialing it to Manual and adjusting the shutter speed without thinking is NOT the best way to get the shot you want.
I would have probably not chosen to shoot at f/1.8 because its really hard (for me) to get both eyes in focus when I am that wide open. At f/1.8 and this close you don't even get both eyes & eyebrows in focus, so if you don't get the focal point right you just can't save it at f/1.8.
One of the things I struggle with - and maybe I shouldn't - is getting the "same" picture of both of them. Unless I am shooting them together I am inevitably taking a picture of one of them and then either standing up to shoot over the first one or trying to get girl #2 to be in the same spot as girl #1 was. Alena's glasses add a new dimension to that task.
You can tell I had to shoot over Alena because Iva is looking up at me which causes her eyes to be more open and you can see more of the lashes which is always beautiful if you get the focus. Both of these poses are very pleasing to me though and the wide open aperture and close range allowed the distracting background of the yogurt shop to just blend away - and this is why the 50mm is so popular for portrait photography.
Not noticing that my camera was in pattern metering is what I think caused a difference in white balance that I had to correct in Camera Raw. I almost always use spot metering so I have no idea what I was photographing the other day that I would have switched to pattern/evaluative metering.
post-processing
Adjusted white balance for Iva's photo. Did a level adjustment layer on their iris/pupil to pop the catch lights. Iva's allergies are causing her to have chapped lips right now so I used the healing brush to eliminate most of the dry, flaky skin.
They are precious Sarah!
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