Take A Time Lapse Photo Of Your Kids

July 2, 2010

What? You say take a time lapse photo of your kids? Am I nuts?

No, not really. Remember, our goal here is to get creative – its just like cooking. When you make a meal stick a little something in as a surprise and get creative, and photography is no different.

After all, you spent a few bucks on a nice compact digital camera – like the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS I suggested earlier, and its time to learn how to use it. And, we do that by getting creative.

Now, if you have ever been fascinated by a time-lapse movie of a flower opening, you might want to try the same thing with one of your children. It’s not difficult to do, though it would be a lot easier if the camera supported time-lapse operations to begin with. For example, the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS camera has a fireworks setting, which keeps the shutter open longer and could be used for a short time-lapse photograph. (more…)

Get Creative – Make A Panoramic Photo With Your Kids

July 1, 2010

Panoramic photographs have been around for a long time, way before digital cameras came along. Have you ever thought to make a panoramic photo with your kids in it? In the early days there were two different ways to make a panoramic photograph. One way was with special cameras loaded with extra wide film, and which could take photos that were much wider than they were tall.

The other, more traditional way, is to take a series of photographs and connect them in a manner similar to a collage. Using this technique you could make a panoramic photo with your kids! Unfortunately, you can often see seams between each picture because they are layered, one on top of the other. (more…)

Get Creative With Photographs Of Your Children

June 30, 2010

Today, cameras are no longer just cameras. Looking at the most common cameras in the local electronics store and you will find many models that not only take photographs, but record movies, sound, and do a lot of other things as well. For you, the parent, this is a great opportunity to get creative with photographs of your children.

It seems that camera manufacturers today believe a camera should do everything except wash the dishes and should play music better than your stereo system! In my opinion a lot of the extra features you find on your camera are just gimmicks, in my opinion. However, from time to time you may find some of them useful, and it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about your camera, and then push your camera to the limit.

For example, one of the compact digital cameras I really like to use to get creative with photographs of your children is the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS.

Here are some of the features on the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS camera I like with respect to color:

• Vivid -This is your standard option to give you those bright colors everyone loves so much;
• Neutral -is when you use natural light and the images are more muted;
• Sepia – This provides those “old fashioned” images with the brownish hue that looks like a picture from an earlier period;
• Black & White – Sometimes black & white can provide some interesting shades and fascinating detail;
• Custom – For this mode you need to read the camera manual.

The bottom line is that you can create some very interesting photographs of your children if you study your camera manual, experiment with your camera and get creative with photographs of your children.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

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Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

ps: Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter “Real Kids Photography” here!

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Try Photographing Your Children Through A Glass Window

June 29, 2010

Now, you might ask why would you want to photograph your child(ren) through a glass window, but the truth is some of the best photographs we can get are when the children have no idea that we are photographing them. If you happen to be in the house and glance out a window, you may see your children doing something very special that you just know they will stop doing if you go outside with your camera.

It is in these special instances that you need to learn about photographing your children through a glass window. The first thing you need to be aware of is the light in the room. Is it reflecting off of the window? Can you turn off your flash unit? How clear is your image through the viewfinder?

A Polarizing Filter Can Help With The Glare. . .

If you have a camera that you can use filters with, then a polarizing filter is in order for this kind of shot. A polarizer does a few nifty things for your photograph, but the most important one is that it will eliminate reflections caused by glass by blocking the polarizing light.

If you can use a polarizing filter, the one you want is a circular polarizing filter. A linear polarizer won’t work well for this kind of photography because it can confuse the camera’s light sensors.

If you use a polarizer correctly you can reduce or eliminate any glare significantly.

If you don’t have a camera that accepts a polarizing lens, then consider taking the photograph at an angle through the glass. Turn off any lights in the room, and if the window has ceiling to floor curtains get between the curtains and the window. This will effectively block any light from the room.

 

While not the best solution, it can get you some very intimate and interesting photographs of your children. They will not be aware of you, and without using a flash they may not even notice you, or know that you have taken their photograph.

The important thing here is to make sure and take a lot of photographs of your children as they grow up. They change so quickly that the only way to be sure you have an accurate record is to take lots and lots of photographs of them; and given how cheap it is with digital photography, why not?

If you are interested in learning more about photographing children as an art form, I recommend this book: Photographing Children Photo Workshop: Develop Your Digital Photography Talent

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Please share “Try Photographing Your Children Through A Glass Window” with your friends using the buttons below. Thanks!

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

ps: Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter “Real Kids Photography” here!

If you enjoyed this article please subscribe to my RSS Feed here and get future articles sent right to you!

What You Should Have Inside Your Camera Bag

June 28, 2010

Ok, you are going to take a day trip, and you want to take some photos of your kids as they experience the trip. You grab your camera, head for the car and are on your way. The question is: what you should have inside your camera bag on this trip

Click on image to get your extra memory card.
In fact, what should you always have in your camera bag?

If you think this is a stupid question, just take a moment and give it a little thought. Women always know that their handbags are not just for them: they are for husbands and kids as well. Husbands are always handing you things they don’t want to carry to you to put in your purse (like the car keys), your kids expect you to carry gum, aspirin and a first aid kit, right?

If you want to be prepared for photographing your kids, then you need to use your camera bag for more than just your camera.

Here is a little list of what I suggest:

• A small comb and hairbrush – (for hair emergencies);
• A small bottle of hair spray – (for bad hair days);
• A spray bottle of water – (to slick down hair);
• Some safety pins and a roll of duct tape – (for clothing repairs, of course!);
• A small stuffed animal, whistle, small toys – (to keep them busy while you adjust the camera/scene);
• A supply of model release forms in case you get a great picture of someone else’s kid that you may want to use on the internet, etc – (it happens!);
• some prepackaged wipes for little hands
• For the camera:
  • A lens cloth;
  • An extra memory card;
  • Extra batteries – (charged, of course);
  • A backup camera;

So, be prepared the next time you and the kids head out the door for a day trip and you want to get some great pictures.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

ps: Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter “Real Kids Photography” here!

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