The Canon Magazine 33
CAMERA SKILLS
13
Be sensitive with
lighting optionsToddlers can be naturally
cautious of new situations and
environments – using flash can
put off little ones. If the lighting is
low and you’d like to boost it, try
using a reflector to bounce light
back onto the toddler’s face.
Have a parent hold it so the child
feels safe and secure, and show
the parent the angle you’d like it
held at to brighten up the child’s
face. Using a white or silver
reflector generally works best
for children, as a gold surface
can create a much warmer
effect. I tend to encourage
children to play near a window
where the light is naturally good.14
Use AI Servo AF
You may want to use AI
Servo AF for moving toddlers, which
is an option specific to Canon EOS
cameras. This mode tracks
subjects, and is helpful for focusing
on moving toddlers. While half-
pressing (or fully press) the shutter
release, keeping the toddler in the
camera’s selected focus point,
AI Servo AF mode will continue
to track and adjust the focus
to keep your subject sharp.15
Indoor group photographs
You’ll need to
balance a narrower
aperture (so that the
whole family is in focus)
with an ISO that’s not too
high. I use an aperture of
f/5.6 on a 50mm lens.
Utilize available light by
putting families near
windows to maximize
natural light. With new
Canons, you can use high
ISOs without introducing
much noise – an ISO of
1600 on the 5D Mark II is
fine; or an ISO of 3200
with the 5D Mark III or
Mark IV. If in a pinch, step back to use the light
bounced from white walls – leaving more space
around the family means more light in the shot.