The Better Photography

Children are naturally photogenic. Ive worked in studios and children are extremely easy to photograph. What I listen to parents is that they dont think that their children are that simple to photograph. Thats only simply because they dont know some basic tips.

1. Young children especially infants take beautiful photos while they are asleep. Keep the light natural avoid flash if at all possible. Keep the image low on the kid and crop out distractions. For infants when theyre awake youre better off having another person in image, it gives the child someone to interact with and you will crop the shot to help keep your partner from the image or keep your adult and child within the photo.

2. Toddlers look best once they have no idea that youre taking their photo. Candid shots would be the way to go with this age group. Keep your camera handy and when they start doing something cute snap the photo quick. Remember your child hasn’t got to be looking directly into the camera to take an excellent photo. Dont ever say to the toddler, Oh how cute, now look here. It wont happen.

3. Children ages 4 plus are really good at sitting for photos. But when youre going to dress them up ensure that they are comfortable and dont insert them in some outfit they hate, it will show in the image. Crop tight on your subject, keep your light natural, and if youre using a toy to get their attention make sure that it makes them laugh and doesnt scare them. (I found that lesson hard way.)

4. Older children work great at dressing for photos. The toughest thing will be receiving an all natural smile from them. Say, cheese is a sure way to obtain a fake smile. Most of us learned young to smile automatically at that cue. Here you have to get silly. One time I was working with a young boy and his older sister. She was a natural smiler and loved being dressed up. He wasn’t happy and kept pulling at his tie. His mother straightened it for that tenth time. I posed them and addressed the young boy I said, Now around the count of three I really want you to say, I hate this tie! His sister smiled surprised at things i said, and he grinned. I took the photo. He then screamed, I personally don’t like this tie! Again both smiled wide and that i took another photo. The images turned out beautiful.

I hope these pointers help you to take better photos of your child. With a little practice and some tips youll see better family photos immediately.

For those who have some specific questions please visit my Photography Forum at: [http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php] and post your question there.

Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the dramatic shots generally have a unique element which makes them stand out from the crowd. They are well-composed plus they carry no excess baggage.

Among the best photos I’ve seen was taken a long time ago in New York Central Station (1928) The correct answer is famous and no doubt you’ve seen it. Sunlight streams in with the windows dominating the scene, while people mill concerning the expansive floor inside a hustle-bustle atmosphere.

Photographers of yesteryear were past masters of judging the very best exposure for a dramatic shot, without the benefit of modern gadgetry. I simply wonder about that after I hear the death knell being tolled around the utilization of film.

We’re told that 60% of the salary of Kodak UK originated from digital cameras this past year, as Kodak announced big job cuts. Immediately, the media produced a knee-jerk reaction that claimed film is dead. True the general public are totally won over by the short-term gains from the digital camera, but what about the professionals?

Many studio photographers might change to fitting an electronic back onto their Mamiyas, but how about fieldwork? Big shots with view cameras and 6’9′s, not to mention the use of long lenses for wildlife and sport, will still be covered with film rather than digital.

Digital camera models are great for the store bought, where shots are usually taken using the subject a close range. A few of the photos of flowers that I have seen for instance, are very exceptional. Oftentimes, using film of these shots would be beyond most average users because judging the best exposure could be too hard.

The general public are happiest when they can they can just point and shoot. The current digital camera allows them to do that and produce exceptional pictures of family events, so they’re happy. However, put the cameras to a stiffer test and film wins every time. Even the latest, best and most expensive cameras still miss the best that film can produce, especially where the subject is at a reasonable distance e.g. most landscapes.

Coming back to old-time photographers, I just can’t see anyone producing, or rather reproducing the same quality shots of say, Ansell Adams, using a digital camera rather than film. For Ansell Adams, substitute Man Ray, or a host of other cult photographers and you’ll soon catch my drift.

Regarding photos that sell, the kind of camera used is irrelevant once the client looks at the final result. I know that Michelangelo never crossed swords with Leonardo about who had the better brushes. It is the masterpiece that counts, not the tools used to produce it.

And yet this epic battle between digital and film cameras is essential, because a great deal of time and energy could be wasted, attempting to produce shots that sell with equipment that just isn’t up to the task.

Without having to be prescriptive or dogmatic, surely that any prospective Freelance photographer must weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of digital versus film carefully. It’s the nature of the photograph being attempted which should decide the problem rather than personal prejudice.

Another key factor is, obviously, the preferred choice of the client. Where the customer is satisfied with small digital images then convenience might point to using digital. So, for someone who shoots a range of photos it seems sensible being conversant with both. Digital and film cameras are totally different beasts, especially with regard to exposure ‘ rules of thumb’.

After excellent composition, shots that sell need perfect lighting – therefore the modern freelance photographer should make use of the best tools, digital or film to achieve the perfect shot of his chosen subject. That’s the kernel of truth I’ve yanked out of the splinters of this hoary old chestnut for you.