You've read all the "best digital camera" articles, got the best price on your first digital camera, and even glanced at its owner's manual. Are you itching to take some shots of your family, or what?
Slow down, soldier. Before you take 200 shots that seem great at the time, but then upon review of the final picture are less than what you expected, let's prepare. Prepare?!?! I'll bet you thought charging the battery was the hardest part of taking great photos, didn't you? Sorry to disappoint you, but if you want to improve your photo results 50% in 2 minutes, let's review some basic advice of the pros.
There are two categories of GENERAL ADVICE which applies, regardless of whether you're using a digital camera to take family portrait poses, baby pictures, pet portraits, group pictures, funny photos, or even maternity portraits. The first category is...
"Good Planning" Advice for Photography Poses
1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by thinking about every photograph you want to take and what kind of photography pose or poses you would like to capture. Consider who, where, how, and the type of environment.
2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each pose (remember, digital memory is reusable, a.k.a. "free"). Regardless of what you say or do, people will blink. And don't count on spotting small problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full magnification); which leads to...
3) Check LCD Screen
Check the digital camera's LCD screen for general framing of the picture, any movement, visibility of faces, and the histogram. Note that you can think up a fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone perfectly; and, have the photograph "frozen" (no blinking, and no shaking of the camera)...but, when you check it out in the LCD, you see 2 drunks fighting in the background! And, my favorite...
4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases handy to use just before you take the photo. Don't use it when setting up for the shot. And, don't use the same phrase all the time. Throw in funny anecdotes, phrases, names, words that you know your family will find more amusing than "cheese." A natural smile looks four times better than a fake one. The second category is...
"Location" Advice for Photography Poses
Taking indoor family photography, is very different than outdoor family photograph (duh!). For INDOOR pictures...
1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide angle more often than your telephoto setting. Pay particular attention to your "end people" (those farthest to the right and the left in your viewfinder), and verify there is enough space in picture, so that if cropping is required, the end people don't have to lose a limb.
2) The Flash
Flash considerations are critical. Do not be outside your "flash range." For example, if at ISO 100, your flash can properly illuminate 12 feet, don't attempt any photography pose that requires anyone to stand at 14 feet (unless, of course, it's evil cousin Ira who you want to appear in darkness).
3) Plan "B"
If you need to be further away than your flash allows, here are 2 things you can try...First, increase the ISO setting (but not so much as to produce to much noise), or second, move to a significantly brighter location.
4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting features, change your settings to blur the background (see the Techniques page). The best photography pose in the world won't look right with a distracting background. And finally...
5) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces in the background and you can't find a different location, only take the picture in such a way that the flash is not perpendicularto the surface, but at an angle (unless you want a nice photo of your flash).
Outdoor family photography has completely different issues. For OUTDOOR photography...
6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or in mixed light and shade, especially faces. Optimal lighting results from a slightly overcast sky.
7) Shade
When photographing in shade, use fill-flash (see terms) when necessary. And, really finally...
8) Beauty
If practical, take the picture at one of the beautiful natural settings near you. Imagine the result of a creative photography pose captured in a stunning environment. Can you say: "Over the mantle!"?
To see some sample pictures including more photography tips, go to www.best-family-photography-tips.com/photography-pose.html.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.
Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help the digital world create better photographs.
shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIf you think that digital cameras are for snapshots only,... Read More
Pre-Production:It's all got to start somewhere, so before you even... Read More
Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More
1. Pet photos - advertise a Pet Photography business where... Read More
A common problem with old photos is that they often... Read More
There are really great advantages in digital photography:You can shoot... Read More
Looking at the most intricate details of the digital camera... Read More
Break out that video camera, there is a game this... Read More
Shopping for a new digital camera can be quite frustrating... Read More
I've been practising wildlife photography on safari for over twenty... Read More
Purchasing a digital camera is a wise decision, particularly if... Read More
One of the main reasons people buy digital cameras is... Read More
ContentEven if you feel that you already know what kind... Read More
Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just... Read More
So you recently bought a digital camera or perhaps your... Read More
Gone are the days when you would need to employ... Read More
One of the biggest debates in the photography world is... Read More
There are also some excellent online courses available and some... Read More
When I promised readers that I was going to do... Read More
There are many kinds of disposable cameras. All disposable cameras... Read More
Tight BudgetsTight budgets are common these days. But the demand... Read More
The Vacation Season is fast approaching and naturally you will... Read More
Let's start there (but not spend too much time on... Read More
Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital ImagesIn order to... Read More
PrefaceIn order to understand color management, it is important to... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..Wholesale disposable cameras are disposable cameras bought in quantity. Bulk... Read More
Using a digital camera to take pictures is great. It's... Read More
There are lots of options available for getting your digital... Read More
Last month we bought the Canon Powershot A80 online for... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't... Read More
I love panoramas. There's something very appealing about their shape.... Read More
So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some... Read More
You've read all the "best digital camera" articles, got the... Read More
There are two types of underwater camera systems: an ""amphibious""... Read More
Before you rush into buying your digital camera this holiday... Read More
Almost any shot will look better if you take two... Read More
Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More
Being such a fascinating device as the digital camera, this... Read More
1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More
As it is a fact that digital cameras are comprised... Read More
Children are naturally photogenic. Ive worked in studios and children... Read More
Family vacations, summer weddings and family reunions are in full... Read More
Too many people have the idea that being paid to... Read More
Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More
Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph.... Read More
Photography is a vast world. There are many different types... Read More
Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills... Read More
Underwater photography's is primarily focused towards entertaining and informing the... Read More
If you are in the market to purchase a digital... Read More
Photography |