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Photographing People
Pictures of the people we know and love are sure to make us smile.
We all want to capture the special moments in our lives on film, but
getting that perfect shot can be tricky. The following are some tips
to photographing these memories
Have Fun!
Don’t work too hard placing your subjects. The goal is for them to
relax and strike up a natural pose. Try shooting in your subject’s
favorite place and add a couple of props to make it more compelling.
A trophy, musical instrument or pet can create a more interesting
composition. Better yet, try to get candid shots. We all have the
impulse to get people to stare into the camera, but if you avoid
that it will yield better results. People interacting with each
other or doing the things they enjoy will give you a better
representation of the personalities of the people you are trying to
photograph. Remember that variety is important, so show them
working, playing or chatting with one another.
Get Close
Fill the camera’s viewfinder or LCD display with your subject to
create pictures with greater impact. Step in close or use your
camera’s zoom feature to emphasize the most important components of
the picture and exclude unnecessary background. Be sure to check
your camera’s closest focusing distance so that your pictures are
clear.
Use Natural Light
Bright sun makes everybody squint. It also casts harsh, unflattering
shadows. The best lighting for taking pictures of people is a day
that is cloudy or overcast; the soft light is more flattering for
faces. When taking pictures of people indoors, turn off the flash
and rely on natural light coming in from windows to give your
subject a soft, appealing glow. If you are taking pictures on a
bright sunny day, however, use the ‘fill flash’ mode if your camera
has it. Your camera will flash in spite of the available light, fill
the shadows cast by the direct sunlight and create a more flattering
portrait.
Keep Backgrounds Simple
Remember that keeping the background of your pictures simple will
focus attention on the subject and the result will be a stronger
picture. Place subjects against a plain, non-distracting background.
Remember to look at the entire frame through your viewfinder before
you shoot; moving to the right or left slightly can eliminate
distracting backgrounds and keep the focus where you want it.
Lock the Focus
A picture of several people can come out blurry because most auto
focus cameras focus on the subject at the center of the viewfinder.
When photographing more than one person, the camera may focus on a
tree in the background rather than the people in the picture. By
centering the subject on the viewfinder and pressing the shutter
halfway down, you will lock the focus on your subject. You can then
move the frame until you are satisfied with the composition of your
photograph and press the shutter the rest of the way down.
Photographing Babies
The most fleeting years in the lives of our children is while they
are babies. Before you know it that cute little infant will be
boarding the school bus! Make picture-taking a priority and you will
be glad you did. Photos of babies will give you something to share
with friends and family and treasure for years to come.
Take Frequent Pictures
Be sure to record all the ‘firsts’ in your child’s life. The first
tooth, first step and first smile are treasures that can be captured
on film. Think about following your baby for an entire day from time
to time: from the first morning yawn and stretch to the last
goodnight, ‘a day in the life of your baby’ will become a series you
will treasure for years to come. Be sure to include wails, grimaces,
yawns and pouts too!
Try Different Angles and Include Others in Your Photographs
Shoot at your baby’s eye level. Prop your baby up on someone’s
shoulder, line a bunch of babies up on the sofa, or stand on a
sturdy chair and shoot down on your baby in the crib. Don’t forget
that big sister with baby, Grandpa dancing with his baby
granddaughter or Grandma feeding a messy 1-year-old are certain to
yield fun and expressive photographs.
Photographing Older Children
Kids are always climbing, exploring and learning new things. Try not
to limit your picture taking to birthdays, holidays and vacations. A
regular routine of picture taking will give you a wonderful
documentation of your kid’s growing-up years, and the day-to-day
routines are often the memories we treasure the most.
Begin a Photo Tradition
Take the same type of picture at the same time each year and you
will find yourself with a fun chronicle to look back on. A child’s
first day of school in front of the same tree in the yard, for
example, can illustrate how much your child – and the tree – have
changed over the years. On Father’s Day, surround Granddad with all
the grandkids, or take a picture of the kids on the first and last
day of summer. Remember that candid photos are sometimes the best
kind. Resist the temptation to pose your subject for every shot.
Include Friends
Don’t forget to include your kids’ friends in your pictures.
Everyone loves to look back on their best 2nd grade friend years
later and see how everyone has changed. Memories like “That’s when
we all shaved our heads!” and “Look at Molly with no front teeth!”
are sure to remind everyone of happy times.
Let Kids Record Their Own World
Give your child a camera and see what he comes up with. Some of
their photographs may surprise you. One-time use cameras are the
perfect things to give a small child; they are inexpensive and
small, and it is not a problem if they get lost. It’s a whole new
world when we look at things through a child’s eyes!
Remember that things change, people change and some of our most
treasured memories can be relived over and over when we have
pictures. A gathering of friends and family where everyone
reminisces about years gone by over pictures from the past is a
wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and is a sure way to bring
people closer together.
Source information adapted from kodak.com ‘Taking Great Pictures.’
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