Swinging shots and AI Servio

kidzmom

Hello all!
Just practicing with AI Servio so that I could capture my 3 y/o in full swing. I remember reading a while back that this was the best mode to capture kids in full motion while swinging. I must say, it was really a LOT easier in this mode than in single point focus mode! You were right. I took a few shots in single point focus mode and saw that I was badly missing the focus (really hit or miss) so I switched over to AI Servio. I was pleasantly suprised to actually get her in focus MOST of the time. Bascially I just half pressed about a split second before I shot and tracked her motion and then clicked. I was so surprised to see it actually work! These were shot wide open at 1.8 on my 50mm. CC always appreciated from you all :thumb

#1


#2


#3 In this shot she was oof. I had a nice focus on the buttons of her shirt and her hair. I love it still


#4 Warmed up BW conversion


#5 *took a few steps back to get the whole scene


#6 For fun

Swartzy

Very cute....next time..take some full body w/environment and tell her to laugh and scream..you'll get huge expressions and some really cool looking full framers. She's a princess! AI Servo.....so glad somebody listens to me....rofl

kidzmom

Swartzy wrote:

Very cute....next time..take some full body w/environment and tell her to laugh and scream..you'll get huge expressions and some really cool looking full framers. She's a princess! AI Servo.....so glad somebody listens to me....rofl

Thanks Swartzy! We all listen to you ! AI servio certainly worked like a charm! I was shocked at how easily it froze the action. I agree I should have gone back further. I really hope to some day get some nice L glass (24-70 2.8 high on list) so I can vary my shots more quickly---I'm too slow on my feet with the fixed lens and end up taking too many of the same scene. She will be happy to scream for me, lol!!!

adbsgicom

Super sweet, and wow, you really nailed getting her eyes at the focus point! f/1.8!!!

Qarik

at the last eye diagram! and wow you really nailed focus on those eyes! and beautiful girl and beautiful images as well!

heatherfeather

I agree with the peanut gallery! These are wonderful!

Agnieszka

Beauuuutiful! What a sweet little girl + love your processing on them too

kidzmom

Thank you SO much everyone for your nice comments Really made my day!!! I definately have the dgrin discussion thread on AI Servio (and Swartzy,among others) who suggested the use of this focus method to thank. I have to say..it seems like a very powerful focusing tool. I learned quite a bit in our mini-shoot. For one, it really does a killer job in tracking something moving steadily (swinging is the ideal use of this mode). It was interesting to see how it would search and search for the focus until it nailed what I wanted, and then I had to be quick to snap the shutter. The focus never really "locked" but just went in and out. When I was quick to press the shutter the focus was as tack sharp as you could get---especially the eyes. This method of focus seems so easy for movement. I wish I would have tried it sooner. The single point is good also, but often seems to miss more often than not. For these photos I think I used the central focus point with the * and then I just aimed that point at her face (between her eyes) and tracked her along her swing until it focused. It was so easy! Thanks so much dgrin for the info on this!!!!!!! Oh yeah, the eye diagram--glad you liked it Qarik .....A Jeff inspiration! Angie...any new baby photos for us??!!

rhondavid

Wow you nailed the focus on those short. Beautiful little girl, gorgoeous eyes and great expressions. Love each and evey one of them.

Excellent

kris10jo

super sharp and gorgeous! i'm going to have to track down this discussion thread to learn more. i use single point focus, but if there's a better way, i'd love to learn more, especially when you're chasing eyes of children!

JonDraperPhoto

Really like how sharp and saturated these are without being over done. The eyes look great as well. Good set from a moving swing!

divamum

These are VERY nicely done. You're one of these "magic focus" people - you really nail the eyes no matter how wide open you're shooting!

ivar

Nice! I really love #3 as well; you can always blur the buttons a bit if you wanted?