Posts Tagged ‘photo tip’

Cuddle Shots

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

cuddle

What could be cuter than a cuddle shot? All the fuzzy, feathered residents of the local petting zoo bring out the tender size of your child. You’re guaranteed a unique charming photo.

Some of good tips to do such photos:

  • Make sure someone present knows the creature’s personality before picking up an animal at a petting zoo or children’s farm.
  • Avoid the flash to avoid panic.
  • Multiple subjects should be touching.
  • The child’s eyes should be in the upper third of the frame.

The Off-Center Portrait

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

horizon_upper_off_center

Never forget the basic rule of photographic composition: rule of thirds. By positioning your subject off center, you introduce an energy that centered image don’t have. Imagine your frame as a grid divided into thirds – three equal horizontal segments and three equal vertical segments in nine squares, just like a tic-tac-toe board.

Profile Portrait

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

profilePicture

A portrait in profile imparts a certain thoughtfulness and maturity to even children. Here are some photo tips to make beautiful photos using this technique:

  • Adjust your position to avoid distracting background elements.
  • Use the telephoto setting to get in close if you have a zoom feature.
  • For a horizontal close-up, it’s okay to crop in tightly, particularly at the top of the head, but be sure to leave a little room below the chin. Don’t cut the ear down the middle.
  • Allow some space in front of your child’s face so that he or she has somewhere to look.
  • Shoot at eye level for a true-to-life perspective.

A Photo in the Car

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

auto

Are we there yet? For many families, the car becomes a second home, a mini restaurant, a last-minute classroom, a mobile hotel. Use your car as a setting for portraits.

  • Windows are the most distracting element of in-car-photos. Crop them out.
  • If you are shooting from outside the car, a window can work as a “frame within a frame” when the kids peeks out.

Notice a shadow

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

shadow

When we think of shadows, we think of the subtle shadings caused by light. When kids think of shadows, they think of their second selves – the friend who walks with them every now and then. Memorialize this childhood pal in your photos with these tips:

  • Shadow length depends on the height of the sun.
  • “Hard” lighting – light from a concentrated source, such as the sun – forms the best shadows.
  • Surface also affects the quality of the shadow; you’ll find a clearer outline on smooth pavement or sand than you will on grass.

Try to get the whole shadow in the image.

Backlighting

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

lightbehind01

Every mother thinks her child is a little angel… most of the time! To prove it, photograph your cherub with the light behind him or her. This will create an angelic effect!

  • Shoot within about six feet of your child and use your fill flash.
  • Use the backlight compensation button, if your camera is equipped with the option.
  • Try using a piece of white poster board to bounce the sun back into the child’s face.

Use Available Light

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

candlelight430

Stop! Don’t switch on the flash! When faced with a challenging, limited-light situation, don’t always fight it. Go with the flow! A photo with a candle, fire or sunset as a source of light can bring an interesting photographic effect.

  • For sharp focus, get close. Keep faces close to the light source without compromising safety.
  • Use an ISO800 or ISO1000 film for this kind of photo.

Shoot into a Sunset

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

sunset

If you think you couldn’t, well, you can! Capture the setting sun and the executive beauty of the day’s last light by following these advices:

-       Look for high or wide-open areas so you can shoot until the sun sinks below the horizon.

-       Use a flash so you don’t create a silhouette.

-       Let the sky take up about two-thirds of your frame so the camera will expose for it.

Do not look directly into the sun.

Use Your Furniture

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

sitting

Wood furniture can be a beautiful background for portraits. Wood or upholstered furniture can:

-       Support a baby.

-       Form a solid background

-       Emphasize the lines of perspective.

-       Preserve the memory of a special heirloom.

Shoot Upward

Author: Nathalie St-Pierre Roths

photo_upward

What do you think happen when you take a photo of your child by shooting upward? Your child comes across confident. With this positioning, combined by shooting outside, it often means to frame your child against the blue sky. You will end up with a simple photo, with being clutter down in the background,

Two elements that can’t be ignored despite all:

-       Position your child to minimize squinty eyes and dark shadows.