i get asked photography questions all the time, so i thought it might be helpful to do a post about it and have a place to send people to for answers! here are some of the questions i get most often, but feel free to leave a comment with any i don’t address and check back frequently here and at my photography blog as i answer questions on a regular basis. {please pardon my website as it is currently under construction}
what kind of camera/lens do you have?
i currently shoot with a canon 7d. i am a canon girl only because that’s just what i started out with. i hear great things about nikon all the time, but i also hear that canon and nikon are pretty much the same only canon can be slightly cheaper and you can get some lenses that nikon does not make. i’m sure that’s debatable on both sides, but whatever, i heart canon only because that’s how i was born and raised :)
what is your favorite lens?
this is tough as it depends on the circumstances….i LOVE my canon 85mm 1.8. this lens creates some amazing images that are super sharp and crispy with beautiful color. i also have a 24-70mm 2.8 which i love to use when i’m tight on space or if i need to “zoom” without physically moving and for my wide angle shots. LOVE both of these lenses!
i’m looking to buy a new camera, which type of camera should i buy?
if you are ready to take the plunge into the SLR {single lens reflex} world, i would recommend starting out with a canon rebel. purchase the BODY ONLY as the “kit” lenses typically are nothing spectacular and use the money you saved to buy this lens {canon 50mm 1.8}. this lens is A STEAL for about $99. you will love how this lens gives you “the magic” or bokeh in photography speak. it produces some crispy images where your subject just pops….you will love it! what you won’t like about it at first is that it has no “zoom”. YOU are the zoom and once you get used to having a fixed lens, it’s no big deal at all and a great workout ;)
how can i take better pictures of my kids?
the single best thing you can do is to get out of “the green box” aka automatic mode. learn how to shoot in manual mode and your pictures will instantly improve tremendously. i know it is both intimidating and overwhelming all at once to go full manual, but this is necessary to really get some great images. there are TONS of great books, blogs, online classes, forums etc. to help you learn how to do this. if you are in the charlotte north carolina or maryland/DC/virginia areas, i teach a Moms Photography Class {I have Dads take this too :)}. my june 6th class is full, but i plan to host another one in late july/august so please email me at erin@madisonlanephotography.com if you are interested. i limit the number of students and spots tend to fill up quickly.
if you are not in those areas, i recommend sharon’s online class…go to her blog and search “SPA”.
ok shutterbugs….that’s all for today, but check back soon as i’ll be doing posts like these several times a month!
we had a great memorial day weekend celebrating parker’s 3rd birthday. we always have his party this weekend so that family can be in town to celebrate!
parker with his grandmama
somehow i never seem to get a pic of the boys with my parents..must work on this!
this year we really just had a small party. it’s SO HARD when they start preschool and you get involved with so many groups because you just want to be able to invite everyone, but since the festivities were are my house this year, i decided to limit the invites to just family and a few close friends.
we went with a thomas the train theme for this year since parker is obsessed with trains (and also spiderman but i just wasn’t ready for a superhero party yet!). he also got to ride thomas the train when we were in maryland a few weeks ago as part of his present from grandmommy and grandpa.
he couldn’t wait to open his presents!
here is our egg free cupcake tree :)
parker had a blast playing with his new presents with his friends landon and tanner. kate and elle (his other besties) were sick so they couldn’t make it :(
blowing out the candles:
at the end we did water balloons outside where the boys LOVED throwing them on the ground and breaking them—total boys :) that was the best dollar i have ever spent at target HA!
parker had a blast and that’s all that matters!
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