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Photographing Special Subjects
We have all stood on the sidelines of a sporting event, graduation
or awards ceremony and tried to take a great picture. In spite of
where we stand or what we see in the viewfinder, we often do not
achieve the result we are looking for. Below are some hints to help
capture these special moments on film.
Photographing in Dim Light
Dim lighting is often the most challenging for the amateur
photographer. Unfortunately, many of the things we are trying to
photograph take place with less than optimal lighting conditions. It
is not impossible to get exciting pictures of these precious
moments, though. With a little prep, when the clouds roll in or the
curtain rises, you can be ready.
Hold the camera extra steady. To avoid a blurry shot, be sure to
brace the camera on the back of a chair or railing, or against a
column or tree. This keeps the camera from moving and blurring the
shot. A tripod is a wonderful tool to use, and there are some
available that are ‘pocket-sized’ and very portable, if you don’t
feel like lugging a full-sized tripod around. Be sure to press the
shutter button smoothly. A jerky movement when taking the picture
can jar the camera and blur your photograph.
Wait for action to slow. A moving subject is hard to capture without
blur. Wait for your subject to stop moving or slow down before
taking the picture.
Turn off your flash. Remember that the flash range is only about 10
to 15 feet. Turn off the flash if your subject is out of range, and
capture the scene in existing light. Remember to hold the camera
steady! High speed film will yield the best results in dim light
with a film camera.
Use a dim-light film. A dim-light, or high-speed, film is
extra-sensitive to light. This will enable you to take good pictures
even if the lighting is not cooperating. A high-speed film would be
one with a rating of 400 or above. Film rated at 400 or 800 is
probably your best bet, but a higher speed is fine too.
Photographing Flowers
Flowers are a particular challenge to photograph. In order to
capture their beautiful colors and exciting shapes, follow these
tips.
Use a simple background. Make sure your background doesn’t fight
with the subject of your photograph. Plain backgrounds work best
when taking pictures of flowers. A black or complimentary colored
background will also work well.
Get close. Get as close as your camera will allow. If you are a true
enthusiast, you may want to consider some accessory close-up lenses.
Try several different viewpoint levels when taking pictures of
flowers. Shoot down to achieve an attractive pinwheel effect, or
kneel at the level of the flowers to capture their beauty at eye
level.
Use creative lighting. Different types of lighting will change the
mood when photographing flowers. Backlighting will shine through the
petals and give an appealing glow. Try different point light sources
to vary the effect and give you the look you want.
Control the wind. Consider bringing your subject indoors or use a
piece of cardboard as a block if the wind becomes a problem when
photographing. Too much movement will blur your shot. Make sure to
choose a camera angle that will not include the cardboard, or choose
an attractive color to serve as a background.
Photographing Gardens
Many photographers love the idea of taking pictures of gardens.
Whether it is in your own backyard or a more formal setting, there
are many ways to capture the beauty of a garden. Stand way back or,
if possible, higher up to get an overall appreciation of the design
and layout.
Document your planting. As flowers bloom and die, it is easy to
forget how much space they took up. If you wish to duplicate your
garden the next season, use your camera as a tool to document your
plantings. Make sure to take before and after pictures! It is great
fun to see how your garden has progressed weeks, months, or even
years later.
Add interest and depth to overall shots. Show a wide area of garden
and give depth to your shots by including something in the
foreground like a rosebush or bird bath. Remember to keep the point
of interest out of the center of the photograph. Tall plantings
should be one-third of the way from the top of the picture, a single
bush or flower should be one third of the way in from the left or
right. Try a couple of things until you find a composition that
works for you.
Record the seasons. Gardens change so dramatically during the year
that picking one spot to photograph and shooting a picture at the
change of the seasons is a fun way to document them. Look for a
theme; a bed of daisies, a waterfall or a child’s play area make a
great photograph. Remember to include the gardener in your shots! A
shot of them deadheading or weeding is the perfect way to show their
passion.
Photographing Landscapes
You can take pictures of the beauty around you, and your pictures
can be dazzling, too! Follow these simple steps, and you will be
thrilled with the results.
When photographing landscape, give the eye a place to focus by
including a point of interest; a clump of flowers, a cloud in the
sky, a mountain, tree or boat. People or objects in the foreground
will also give a point of reference if the object you are
photographing is especially large. The cliff or waterfall will look
huge if you put mom in the foreground, but may not seem as big
without her. Remember to check your viewfinder carefully for trash
cans, light poles or power lines that will detract from your photo.
If your camera has a panoramic format, take advantage of it if you
are shooting a wide vista. Lines such as a road, river or fence will
lead the eye. Use them to your advantage by incorporating them into
the picture to lead to the main center of interest.
Remember to factor in the light! The best light is in the early
morning or late afternoon. The long shadows give your photos the
most dramatic effect. Midday sun is harsh and creates a less
appealing photograph, so avoid it if you can. Remember, though, that
an overcast day is not a total loss. Colors glow when polished by
rain, and a bright spot – a flower with a splash of color, for
example, will make your photographs striking even if you have no
sunlight to work with.
Sports and Action Photography
Our kids are always on the go, and we will want some pictures of
them while they do the things they love best. Whether kicking to
soccer ball, running to first base or dancing in a recital, there
are ways to keep these memories intact with great pictures.
Aim your camera to a spot where action is likely to take place. Keep
the viewfinder near your face and your finger poised over the
shutter to give yourself the opportunity to take a picture at a
seconds’ notice. Be ready to take a lot of pictures, too. Timing is
critical in action photos and it is often necessary to take several
pictures before getting a good shot.
Use an action stopping film or pan your camera to get the effect you
want. Some film is engineered to capture that kick, leap or
somersault without blurring. If you move the camera wile pressing
the shutter button, your subject will be sharp wile the background
will be blurred. Both effects are equally dramatic and satisfying.
Remember to get as close as you can to the action without
interfering with it.
Photographing Sunrises and Sunsets
Nothing is like a sunrise or sunset. The colors can be something to
behold. Remember to pay attention to the lighting and composition
and you should be able to shoot some dazzling photographs. Keep in
mind that your lens must be very clean when shooting pictures of the
sun. Dust particles, fingerprints or other matter on the lens can
cause lens flare when you are taking pictures of the sun.
Use the night flash setting on your camera. This combines a slow
shutter speed to capture the background with a flash that
illuminates a nearby subject. Or, consider including a silhouette. A
tree or person against the colorful sky will make your photo even
better. Remember to use the ‘no flash’ option on your camera or it
won’t be a silhouette. And don’t forget - the point of interest
should be off-center!
Photographing Under Water
Taking great pictures under water is not as hard as it seems. Use a
waterproof one-time camera to avoid damaging your regular camera.
Most underwater cameras come equipped with a fast film, so you will
be able to capture everyone from body-surfers to cannonballers. Look
for clear water – if the water is murky your pictures will be, too.
Hold the camera steady, and move as close to the subject as
possible. Remember that since the timing is unpredictable, you will
need to take a lot of pictures to increase the chance of getting
several shots you like. Try different viewpoints; just above water,
underwater, and half in, half out are all fun vantage points and
will add interest to your album.
There is no reason that you can’t take the kind of pictures you want
if you follow these simple steps and are a little adventuresome when
taking your pictures. For more information, check out
www.kodak.com ‘Taking Great
Pictures.’
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