Some Skaters

[firstsalt]

I was hanging out with some of my friends that skateboard and this is what I got.
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=George2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/George2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=george4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/george4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=Gabeandpeter.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/Gabeandpeter.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=gabe2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/gabe2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=Gabe.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/Gabe.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/?action=view&current=George3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab59/PDUSMC_photo/George3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Recty]

They arent bad, but imo you need to be exposing to light your subject, not the background. Most of those shots the subject is so dark it's hard to make out any details.

 

[IPT]

I agree with Recty. Does you camera have a pop up flash (or do you have an external one?). Most, all of the shots are backlit - so you camera got fooled and exposed for that. You choices were, expose for the shadow areas where the people were (that would have slowed your shuter speed BTW and maybe got you some blurry shots - all wit a blownout background), exposed as it is and have the people dark, OR,,,, used a flash .

My pick is flash here. Especially for action, and you could have probably brought the foreground up to the exposure level of the background. Looks like all the shots that are dark have the subject in similar lighting (shade) Keep playing and learning.

 

[swjim]

I agree with the other comments above, the only thing I would add is that if you have an external flash capable of high speed sync (any version of 580 or 430 EX) then you could turn it on and give it a try. High speed sync causes the flash to strobe quickly at low power so it's good for fill light at shutter speeds faster than your Rebel XSi's sync speed, but the tradeoff is reduced power and range from the flash. It also uses up batteries more quickly.

 

[firstsalt]

yeah I know I tried to use my flash but it wouldn't let me change the exposer even though i was in Manuel i was very confused it wouldn't let me even when I used one of my friends external flashes

 

[swjim]

Your camera is probably set to slow the shutter speed to its maximum sync speed (I believe 1/200 on the XSi) when the flash is used. Enabling HSS on the flash bypasses this and allows you to use faster shutter speeds.

 

[firstsalt]

Ahh thanks that helps and yeah it was stuck on 1/200