perspective and aperture

I love this picture of my little guy. Captures his silly personality in one of his mellower moods. My perspective is that my camera is almost resting on the table, so I’m looking straight into my little guy’s eyes, but coming in a bit from below him. Love how the table in front of him is out of focus. Fun, huh? :)  That’s a result of my 2.2 aperture.

manual settings for the shot below:
ISO – 1250 (inside, in the evening, under just the lights from above the kitchen table)
aperture – F 2.2 (needed light and i wanted the blur factor)
shutter – 1/160 (slow, but not too slow that my wiggly guy is out of focus)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera – canon 5D mark II

perspective and aperture

Then I change my perspective and look down on my other little guy from above. I wanted to tell the whole story of how this little guy plays. He loves bananagrams. :)

manual settings for the shot below:
ISO – 1250 (inside still, same table, same lighting)
aperture – F 2.5 (needed light but not quite as much as the light was reflecting off the table a bit)
shutter – 1/160 (slow, but not too slow)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera – canon 5D mark II

perspective and aperture

by Cori Derksen

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exploring with my boys and my macro

I took my two little guys exploring this weekend and I took my camera along. But I took a different lens than I normally would. Usually I’d take my 50mm or my 85mm. But this time I took only my 100mm macro lens. (note: my macro lens is my lens that is usually only used for the baby toes, eyelashes, fingers, and the occasional wedding ring.) I wanted to challenge myself to try something new. So, while they were playing with their sticks and rocks and each other I snapped a few here and there.

Here are my settings and a few comments/tips:

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100 (bright sunny afternoon, even though it’s january)
aperture – 3.2
shutter – 1/250
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L
camera – canon 5D mark II

exploring with my boys and my macro

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/500
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

I do love how the macro lens narrows your focus to your subject and that alone. :)exploring with my boys and my macro

But look at the out of focus image below. One of the tricky things about using a macro lens on wiggly little people. It’s easy to miss focus and ruin the whole image.

exploring with my boys and my macro

Settings for image below (more distance between me and my subjects):
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/1000 (more in the sun)
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

exploring with my boys and my macro

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/400
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

Again when I’m somewhat close to my subject all else completely falls out of focus. It’s all about him. Love that.exploring with my boys and my macro

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 4
shutter – 1/320
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

exploring with my boys and my macro

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 4
shutter – 1/320
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

exploring with my boys and my macro

Super fun playing around with my macro lens in a new way. I just may have to take it on some shoots with children soon. :)

by Cori Derksen

2 comments

January 8, 2012 - 9:09 pm

shara - ooooh. i want a macro! :) these are beautiful.

January 8, 2012 - 10:01 pm

heather - Thank you so much for sharing! I LOVE all the super close up stuff that macro’s are so great at… and wouldn’t have thought to use it in this way. So glad that you shared.

a workshop to learn your camera

I enjoy teaching people how to use their cameras. So many people have purchased these fancy digital SLR cameras (you know the bigger cameras where you can change out the lenses) and well, they don’t know how to use all the fabulous buttons and functions on their cameras.

Do you want to learn how to use your digital camera using manual settings? Want to stop using auto and being frustrated? If you’re interested, I’m offering two workshops this winter (most likely the only ones for 2012) that will focus on how to use your camera and it’s manual functions so that you can have more control over the images you capture. We will also touch a bit on all those other buttons on your camera, natural light, color, contrast, and composition. Each workshop will be limited to only six people, allowing plenty of one-on-one time and for each question to be answered.  The workshop also includes my workbook, Learn Your Camera (an $89 value).

Details:
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9am to 3pm   FULL
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 9am to 3pm   FULL

Registration will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Registration and payment are due when you sign up for the class. Your spot is not saved until your payment is received. Spots are first come first serve. Cost is $279.
  • Includes my Learn Your Camera workbook, caffeinated beverages, lunch, and lots of hands on knowledge.
  • We’ll even be shooting pictures of some little kids together in our own mini photo shoots for hands on practice
  • Workshops are offered in Fresno, California, in my home.
  • Equipment needed for workshop: DSLR camera and recommended Canon’s 50mm 1.8 lens or one of Nikon’s wide aperture lenses like Nikkor 50mm 1.4 lens or Nikkor 35mm 1.8 lens (Nikon’s focusing system is different so check that it’s compatible with your camera and will focus before buying, for most camera bodies it has to have “AF-S” in order to auto focus).

We learn, learn, learn together with our cameras. Then we have a little photo shoot inside with a little one…

a workshop to learn your camera

An image I captured of the little miss…

a workshop to learn your camera

Then later in the afternoon we’ll practice more with an outdoor photo shoot of some little people…

a workshop to learn your camera

So, come learn how to use your camera on manual! Oh, and you’ll go home with one of these fabulous workbooks. That way in case you need something to jog your memory when you’re back home, everything you’ve learned will come rushing back when you read through this workbook.

a workshop to learn your camera

Click here to register now!!

These two workshops will probably be the only ones offered during 2012. :)

Here are a few comments from previous workshops:

“I would TOTALLY recommend the workshop to others. I really appreciate how you combined lecture (more like informative conversation) and hands on application.   That really helped me grasp an understanding of all the new lingo, settings, suggestions, ideas, etc. I would have to say that my favorite part of the workshop was going to Old Town Clovis to shoot.  That really gave me an opportunity to apply all that I learned.  It gave me a sense of accomplishment to see that I was really walking away with true value from the class. I also want to thank you for responding to my emails even after the workshop.  So many times you take a course and never hear from the instructor again…..that is not the case with you!  I have received so many compliments from friends and family about the photos I have taken recently. THANK YOU!
~Vanessa from Fresno

“I really loved the workshop. Your workbook and workshop are down to earth and easy to understand. They both make taking pictures on manuel not only seem completely obtainable but fun as well. I would recommend the workshop and workbook for anyone who wants take a simple approach to photography that can make taking pictures of your family a blast.”
~Kris from Clovis

“I am so thankful I have a better understanding of how to work my camera and take pics of my boys.  I loved getting so much hands on experience and I feel so accomplished taking a decent picture (especially on manual!) Now when I take a picture and look to see that it’s too dark, fuzzy, etc., I know what to do to fix it!  Thank you so much for your heart and passion for photography and helping people love what you love.”
~Jen from Clovis

“I would definitely recommend this workshop to someone else.  I loved that you limited the number of people so that each of us had  plenty of “one on one” time. Whether we were beginners or more advanced, there was plenty to learn and practice.   I also thought it was super helpful to have two live photo shoots.  It gave us the chance to practice what we were learning while receiving great feedback.  It was also really fun to practice with the different lenses. Great workshop!”
~Brooke from Clovis

“Cori’s class was amazing!  I have gone from taking ok pictures to really loving my pictures!  I would recommend her class to anyone who wants to improve your own photography skills.  So much great information!”
~Cary from Fresno

“Thanks so much for the workshop Cori!!  I feel like I have a brand new camera!!  I would recommend your workshop to anyone!!”
~Kirsten from Orange County

“I would definitely recommend the class to a friend.  Cori made learning my camera fun and took my intimidation of it away.  By the time I left, I felt very confident in manual and I was very excited to go and experiment using the tools Cori taught us. Thanks so much for everything.  Its true–I am so excited to try now whereas I was just frustrated before!!”
~Kristy from Fresno

“I took Cori’s workshop after owning a dSLR camera for less then a month. I entered the class never  having used my camera off the auto setting. I didn’t know what ISO, aperture or a F-stop was but I left the class with the ability to control the quality of my photos. I never felt embarrassed to ask a question or for assistance. Without this workshop, the money spent on my camera would be a waste because, I wouldn’t be able to use my camera to it’s full potential.”
~Theresa from Fresno

January 6, 2012 - 9:40 am

Jaymi - Hi Cori! I’m really interested in taking your January workshop. However, I already know how to shoot in manual on my camera. Do you think this workshop will be too basic for me? I’m looking for more practice/info on portrait photography, especially with kids, so I’m really interested in the practice shoots! I just want to make sure the workshop is at the right level for me before I sign up….I live in Los Angeles, so it’s a bit of a drive for me too! :)

capturing the love

I love love. I love capturing love in my images. I love looking at pictures that portray emotion, connection and love. This picture below makes me smile. It allows me to feel the love. So I wanted to share it and I thought I would share my manual settings and any details that might help just a tad to acheive a love-y image.

This was shot in the late afternoon and I’m proud of this image because this one has four little wiggly boys in it. The sun is behind my subjects and just a bit in my camera. I am shooting so that the sun is not coming directly or intensely into my camera, but rather just a bit in the corner.

ISO – 500
aperture – F 5
shutter speed – 1/250
lens – canon’s 35mm 1.4L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

capturing the love

January 2, 2012 - 10:36 am

Amanda - I love it too…..:) wiggle is the name of the game for sure…

family time

As I enter into a season of more lovely family time I thought I would share with you some of my outdoor late afternoon family shot settings. These were shot in the late afternoon (but during late fall…where sun sets early) around 3pm or so.

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160

family time

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160family time

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 3.2, shutter 1/200family timeManual settings for the picture below:
ISO 160, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160family time

by Cori Derksen

2 comments

December 20, 2011 - 8:33 am

Robin - Wonderful pictures and such great light. I especially like the first one. I love that you include your settings, it’s so helpful! If it is not too much trouble, could you include what lens and focal length you used too?

December 20, 2011 - 2:53 pm

Cori Derksen - These were all shot with my 50mm 1.2 lens. :)