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I find portraits very hard - I took these this afternoon with the kit lens and SB600. I find it hard to eliminate the forehead hot spots eg getting the exposure correct.

Are there any hard and fast rules for photographing squirming kids with regards to exposure and TTL flash etc?

Ozi - I'm useless at 'people' shots, so can't really help .... but I think that shots like these can be improved using PS ... The last shot needed a little contrast with the background, and a little curves adjustment and selective sharpening ... I think it is a really nice shot, and I think slightly improved with work .... I wasn't sure whether to post it or not, but will remove it immediately if it offends or you feel the ps is over the top...

Keep it up - they look like a great bunch of willing models, so play

(keep in mind it was a quick play, and with a fairly low res jpg, but hopefully you like it )

Really like No.2, Max.
It's pretty hard taking kids portraits, I know from experience.
Alex

No offense whatsoever Rel, happy for any input. I do PS most photos and you have done well, but I would like to not have to do so much except for maybe cropping etc. I don't think there is any way to save overexposed skin, will keep trying!

They are good shots...and definitley ones for the family to treasure for years to come...

as for the over exposure etc that you mentioned...as its daytime why not try and drop your flashback a stop or two...I do it all the time...it effectivley will give you enough light for a glint in the eye but shouldn't blow out the skin...you might need to experiment in different lighting conditions to get it how you like it.....and do you bounce the flash or fire it directly at your subject?

Thanks Sue, sometimes I use the SB600, othertimes borrowed studio lights, other times available sunlight. Sometimes I use auto/TTL flash setup, other times all manual settings.

I think I need to take a heap more portrait shots and write down which settings seemed to work best in the revelant lighting conditions etc. Thanks for the input.