New-Portrait.com
Photo Tips - Shooting Children
You will be able to take amazing pictures of children.
It’s a sunny day,
so you take the kids outside to get a picture of the three of them together. To make sure you have light in their faces, you make sure you have the sun behind you. Most people focus on the subject and don’t notice how much space there is around them. We naturally tend to think we are much closer than we are, and we don’t realize how small the subject is compared to the frame.
so you take the kids outside to get a picture of the three of them together. To make sure you have light in their faces, you make sure you have the sun behind you. Most people focus on the subject and don’t notice how much space there is around them. We naturally tend to think we are much closer than we are, and we don’t realize how small the subject is compared to the frame.
See the picture, not just the subject.
Imagine, when you look through the viewfinder, that you are looking at a framed photo. If you want the street, the neighbor’s car, the tree and the chain link fence to be in the photo, then plan for it, but if you just want the kids, then tighten up your frame by moving in or zooming in. This picture is getting better, but the sunlight is harsh. Deep shadows make it hard to see their eyes.
Imagine, when you look through the viewfinder, that you are looking at a framed photo. If you want the street, the neighbor’s car, the tree and the chain link fence to be in the photo, then plan for it, but if you just want the kids, then tighten up your frame by moving in or zooming in. This picture is getting better, but the sunlight is harsh. Deep shadows make it hard to see their eyes.
Move away from direct sunlight.
Around the back of the house, you find softer light. This means the kids can’t see the sun where they are standing. Sometimes this means they are lighted by the broad blue sky, which is soft and even, but bluish. Digital cameras have ways of correcting the color, and if it isn’t corrected in the camera, it can be quickly corrected in the computer. The kids are looking better but perhaps, we could find a nicer background.
Around the back of the house, you find softer light. This means the kids can’t see the sun where they are standing. Sometimes this means they are lighted by the broad blue sky, which is soft and even, but bluish. Digital cameras have ways of correcting the color, and if it isn’t corrected in the camera, it can be quickly corrected in the computer. The kids are looking better but perhaps, we could find a nicer background.
Find an uncluttered background.
Fortunately, another section of the house has a cement wall painted white. Now this is starting to look like a professional photo — soft, even light, clean background and tight, if not particularly creative composition.
Fortunately, another section of the house has a cement wall painted white. Now this is starting to look like a professional photo — soft, even light, clean background and tight, if not particularly creative composition.
Work with posing and composition.
Three faces give you the option of a triangle arrangement. Much more interesting than just lining them up like duckpins.
Three faces give you the option of a triangle arrangement. Much more interesting than just lining them up like duckpins.
Et Voila!.
Try some rearranging and shoot again. In the digital world, film is cheap. It is just a snapshot of three kids, but with a little extra effort, you don’t have to settle for just a snapshot.
Try some rearranging and shoot again. In the digital world, film is cheap. It is just a snapshot of three kids, but with a little extra effort, you don’t have to settle for just a snapshot.
If you take the kids somewhere interesting and fun, be prepared to get some good shots. Think about where you need to be to get the best angle and composition. Follow the kids around and be there for the awkward as well as the glorious moments. Do you remember how hard it is to eat a hot dog while also holding onto the napkin and a balloon?
Remember to see the picture, not just the subject, and think about how you want to compose it. The boy is small at the feet of a statue, but I shot “tight” on the struggle with the hot dog.
We aren’t always lucky enough to just happen upon kids doing something wonderful, so sometimes you can set it up. In this photo with the National Geographics, the set up wasn’t difficult because I gave the boys something I knew they would love. They didn’t mind being asked to sit at a table next to a window so that I could use the wonderful soft light a window can provide. Again, don’t forget to shoot “tight” backing away only enough to include the elements you really want in the composition, in this case, the magazines.
The young man at right is not a set up. He forgot I was taking pictures and turned his full attention to dealing with how he was going to manage the swing.
Even adults eventually forget you are there with a camera and start to relax and be themselves, but children, being generally less self conscious, are really good at it. They can forget about the camera in a matter of seconds.
The Phil Dickinson Course in Photographing Young Children
I took the photo at left recently of a nephew's little girl. It was my Christmas present to him and his wife. I love kids, but I have a much better idea than offering to photograph your children. You and I will do it together, and you will be one with the camera. We'll spend about two hours with your child or children. I will show you all the things I would do if I were the photographer, but you will be the photographer, and I am certain that not only will you have great photos of your kids, you will have the confidence to go into business doing children photography. It is a quick course in photography for $150.
Phil Dickinson
Phone or email: (401) 847-2020 • phil@oceancolor.com
I took the photo at left recently of a nephew's little girl. It was my Christmas present to him and his wife. I love kids, but I have a much better idea than offering to photograph your children. You and I will do it together, and you will be one with the camera. We'll spend about two hours with your child or children. I will show you all the things I would do if I were the photographer, but you will be the photographer, and I am certain that not only will you have great photos of your kids, you will have the confidence to go into business doing children photography. It is a quick course in photography for $150.
Phil Dickinson
Phone or email: (401) 847-2020 • phil@oceancolor.com