Ditto what Jim said. The reason for this is the flash is too close to the lens. You will not get this so bad when you move your umbrellas on either side of you.

Thanks! No I didn't take that (I am not that bad) :-) That just came from one of my shelters in the Midwest and I was surprised as I know this volunteer has a really good camera.

Barbra

You don't turn into a great chef because you buy great pots and pans. A great camera only makes great photos if you know how(or get lucky occasionally)

Barbra, check out this link http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understandexposure.shtml

and this book
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003

Everything in photography has to do with light. You can buy exactly what Helmi has, from the camera to the lights and unless you know WHY and how to use them, it won't get photos like that.

Better cameras make things easier. They don't make awesome photographs because its a good camera. Helmi made beautiful photographs with an olympus 3mp point and shoot. Its all about light.

HOMEWORK -







Dark room with just the two photo lights placed on each side of the box, slightly higher and pointing at the subject. I did not make any changes to the camera yet as I will wait for instructions. :-)

Thanks!
Barbra

The color and white balance looks good. Either you have motion blur or its out of focus on the second one. Check your shutter speed.

Other ideas for photos are having people hold them and give that same look. It seems the cats/dogs need to have a look of already being a pet and eye contact for a good photos for adoption. The first photo in this thread obviously is poor for the fact it makes the cat look like it is feral and about to scratch your eyes out.

This says it is a public link, but, it may not be

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17095&id=1012457594&l=f503b

Oh my... I am not nearly done turning in my assignment. That was just my HW from Preston after all the settings on the camera were changed and the windows blocked, lights turned off and camera lights set up.

David gave me a lot to do, so off I go....

Barbra

Preston has me down to ISO 50 and I didn't go look for the tripod (which I haven't used since before digital).

It's hard to move these lights around, because the cords are so short. I better go find an exstention cord before I continue.

The pictures are great! There are two dogs and that LH gray kitty I would take in an instant. Who is the single blonde? She looks so familiar. I find the people are too distracting. While those are great to look at, to me they do not compare to the photos you took of the dogs with the pink background (in the goal of getting them a home).

Barbra

How close are your lights to the subjects? Do you have the umbrellas attached?

You not getting enough light yet for a good shutter speed, #2 is f3.2 at 1/40 and #3 is f3.2 at 1/25. Without a faster shutter speed you will get soft focus from camera shake or subject movement or both. So, you can bring your lights closer or move the ISO up to 100 (I wouldn't go over that at this point).

What do YOU think of this exercise?

If you are doing the things David suggested make your eyes look for the change in shadows in between the wrinkles.