Techniques for spring formal pictures

[ThurlFan]

DD is going to a school formal next week, and a bunch of the kids are gathering for pictures in a local park. I have a Canon XSi and the usual beginner's trio of lenses...18-55, 55-250, and 50mm f/1.8 prime. Mrs Thurl loves the softened backgrounds that I have done on several indoor photos with the prime, but I'm worried there will be too much light for a wide open aperture on that lens and wondering what else I might try.

 

[Frantasmic]

Very happy with my 85mm f1.8. It is a good portrait and is excellent in low light. I'd rent or buy one of these.

 

[photo_chick]

I have used the 50mm f/1.8 for portraits many, many times. It's a great lens for it. And you really don't have to go wide open with it to get the nice soft background. In fact if you've got a group of people you need to be careful to make sure all your subjects do fall within the depth of field so you may not want to be wide open... depending on the situation.

The XSi has depth of field AE (A-dep)... you might want to read up on it in your manual on how to use it. It could come in handy.

 

[ThurlFan]

The XSi has depth of field AE (A-dep)... you might want to read up on it in your manual on how to use it. It could come in handy.

Thanks for the reminder. I have RTFM'd and done some practicing. Neat feature