Marshmallows

[Martyn]

Went to a BBQ on the beach last night, I played a bit of geetar and we sang a few songs. After the burgers and sausages we showed the young ones how to toast marshmallows. I had hoped for a nice sunset but the sky clouded over and went dark very quickly. When these shots were taken it was too dark to see where I was walking and the camera refused to focus. I put the iso at 1600, manual mode at 1//125 with the 18-105 wide open. The screen on the camera back was totally black after the shots and I was worried I had blown a great opportunity. When I got home I brought up the exposure in Lightroom, painted light onto the figures with the brush tool and made pools of light on the ground. The resultant pictures are very grainy but the kid's mum's and dad's think they are fantastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NannyFerret]

Fantastic, shots, Martyn.

You did some brilliant editing, and it paid off

[Korky]

Very nice indeed. This may make me sound like a grumpy child-hater, but I just love number 2. The candles against the landscape look terrific.

 

Korky

[Guest]

Not sure why you went with 1/125th if the lens was at 18mm 1/30th would have been fine and given you another 2 stops. However in the event theses, especially the last three are super. You may remove the grain with some careful sharpening and reducing the clarity slider to zero.

[THELONGMAN]

Lovely pictures Martyn, really good clarity,

 

Geoff

[Martyn]

Not sure why you went with 1/125th if the lens was at 18mm 1/30th would have been fine and given you another 2 stops. However in the event theses, especially the last three are super. You may remove the grain with some careful sharpening and reducing the clarity slider to zero.

 

Thanks for the tips Bill, much appreciated. The reason I chose 1/125 was that, despite the calm look to the scene, the girls were laughing and giggling and moving around a lot; I wanted to freeze the action. My thinking was that I could play with an under exposed shot but not with one that was blurred.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips Bill, much appreciated. The reason I chose 1/125 was that, despite the calm look to the scene, the girls were laughing and giggling and moving around a lot; I wanted to freeze the action. My thinking was that I could play with an under exposed shot but not with one that was blurred.

Ah! Makes perfect sense.

[CanonChrissy]

Lighting is lovely, great candid shots

[annie]

Fab set Martyn

[Cathy]

What a perfect memory moment you have captured for these children!

Good job done in processing they are really good!

Cathy:)

[JamesUK]

That 2nd from last one is superb, that's one of those photos that'll become really nostalgic in 10 years time to those kids

[fuzzyedges]

Lovelly composition on No3 martyn certainly images for the future

Just a little crit when you have painted the light it looks like there may be an overspill on the boys head and around the girl on the right into the sky 

[Guest]

Great set Martyn that captures the mood and atmosphere perfectly.

[Heather]

love these, love the light on the childrens faces, the candles against the dark background, the sense of concentration and fun with the kids ... im not suprised the kids parents liked them  well done !