Make a wish

[Alison]

How could I have done better with this photograph. Or is it ok as it is?

I only have my kit lens (18-55mm) and my pop up flash (which I didn't want to use or it would have ruined that candle lit look). There was no time to mess about with settings or I would have missed this moment. I didn't realise, when taking the picture, that Lisa was making a wish. I'm so pleased I captured it!

I had my camera on full auto, the flash wasn't fired (thank goodness) and my ISO was 400 because the lighting was very poor.

Anyway, bottom line is I'd like to know what settings my camera could have been on to improve the image. That way, next time I can have my settings ready to capture the moment.

[Chunk]

Focusing at a distance between the girls or on the foreground girl may have had both of them in acceptable focus. That would have had the busy background more out of focus as well.
I like the soft light on their faces.

[Alison]

Jenny was moving anyway, so I think she would have blurred, no matter what.
I actually kinda like the focus being on Lisa making a wish because it helped me decide on a title

I was told by someone else that turning my flash down might have helped. Also by turning my ISO up to 800 would have helped but I didn't want the graininess that higher ISO numbers creates.

However, when the time comes again I might try what you suggested and see how it turns out.

[dbutler]

I really like the expression on the little girl in the background and like the range in effect. I, too, would have preferred to see the little girl in the foreground in focus and maybe with a different expression on her face. Overall, it's a cute image. The flash doesn't bother me and I agree with not upping the ISO if you don't like grain (I'm not a huge fan of grain either)

[SmartWombat]

I'd say this is just right.
particularly with the focus on Lisa making her wish.
Becuase Jenny was moving getting sharop fucis on her wouldnlt have mattered.
You could try ISO800, that's about the limit, but a one stop gain won't make much difference .
I wonder how you'd have done with that 50mm f1.4 - there are times when flash is intrusive.

[Alison]

Thanks everyone. i think it's the 50mm 1.8 I will probably go with for now PAul.
So does everyone agree that using full auto mode isn't a sin?

[gahspidy]

lol, absolutely not. If you didn't , you would have most likely missed the shot. The kit lens is not a fst lens, as I recall, and i might only suggest having gone with an 800 iso to ensure you get the shot without the flash. But, you did pull it off anyway. Quite a nice moment captured, and possibly bringing out some more glow in their faces in post processing would finish the job. how about your diffused lighting just slightly applied to the faces and maybe a bit of the candle light. Anyway, you did fine. Good work

[Alison]

Thank you so much Gary. I don't feel so guilty now lol

[mpreslar]

The expression on Lisa's face is fantastic, Ali! The 50mm 1.8 will really help in these situations. Bumping up the ISO to 800 would be ok if you needed it, and you could always use Neat Image to smooth out the grain. It really works quite well.

[Alison]

I tried the diffused glow filter but it looked awful. It work's on some images but not this one.

Thanks Marty.
I have been playing with it a little and here is the result...any better?

[gahspidy]

I'm sure you know this, but if you create a duplicate layer and then apply the diffuse glow to it, you can then erase the effect from the areas that you don't like or want it.If you use neat image, as I do sometimes ( although this particuliar image i think would look great grainy) be careful of your settings as it can "plasticize things, making then look unaturally smooth.

[Alison]

I have done that sort of thing with selective colouring but never thought about doing using that technique for this sort of thing.
Thanks for that suggestion.

[Alison]

Thank you Marty.
Yeah I think I do too. Like Gary pointed out it can tend to look a bit plasticky.
Thanks for your CC everyone! I really appreciate it.

[mpreslar]

You know Ali, I like the original best. I think you did a great job getting the shot.

[walterick]

First of all, there is nothing wrong with all-auto mode. Especially at birthday parties!

Second, in my opinion, the only thing you could have done to improve this image was point the camera at Jenny first, lock focus and quickly recompose to get the shot you got. I realize she is blurred due to her motion, but also having her (and her cake!) out of focus is a distraction. And as Chunk said, it would pull the background out of focus more as well. It's a very cute shot overall. To better answer your question "how can I make it better?" I feel technically compelled to ask: "What is it you want?" If you're happy with it, and it sounds like you are, then the picture is a success and you can't improve upon it. If you want it to be different in some way, then we have a beginning to work on "improvement."

Oh, and your first version is the best