Which set-up has the best light??

[Mike McCarty]

April,

Also, if you are using a zoom lens, keep yourself out on the 80mm+ end if you can. Move your tripod up and back instead of altering the zoom. Be conscious that you are not down in the lower end of the range.

I was assuming you might have one of the "kit" lenses in the 35-100mm range. It looks like you are using an SLR type camera, and that's a good thing.

You are interpreting my remarks correctly. When you are doing photography indoors it's sometimes difficult to find a room which allows for such a long lens. You can't back up far enough without bumping into a wall. Staying in the 80mm+- range will avoid certain types of camera distortion.

I operate mostly with two zoom lenses. One like the shorter variety mentioned above and another extending to 300 such as you describe. The longer lenses I use in the out of doors because there are fewer space constraints.

If you find that your budget allows you might look for a used zoom of a shorter variety. This will give you more flexibility indoors.

Also, be mindful of the height of your camera as it relates to the height of your subjects eyes. It appears that you have set up slightly above the little fellows. This gives you more of the top of the head that you should want. Try to stay level or just slightly below eye level. It's a common mistake made when shooting the kidos. A tripod is almost a must as well. This will reduce the camera shake (blurring subject) in the low light situations which always seem to come up indoors.