Photo Tip No. 2 ~ Catch the Action!
Getting your child to sit still for pictures can be quite challenging. Capturing that great smile can be even more challenging, but with the right techniques, you can capture great photos - even when baby is on the move!
Depending on your camera, it can take up to an entire second from the moment you press the shutter button to when your camera actually takes the picture. This gap in time is called “shutter lag”, and it can be the difference between capturing those great action shots and missing them altogether. Here’s how to prevent shutter lag:
• Press the shutter button about halfway and press down lightly. This will lock focus on your subject.
• Continue to hold the button down halfway until you are ready to shoot. This lets you take the picture much faster because your focus is already locked and ready.
Many digital cameras also have an Action Mode. Using this shooting mode will speed up your shutter speed and help to avoid blur when your child is on the move.
Stay tuned for Tip No. 3!
The above image was taken at a mentoring workshop with the amazing Amanda Cutler of Pumpkin Pie Photography.
Many of you ask me how you can capture better pictures of your children. Because I’ve received so many questions on this topic, I’ve decided to start a photography tips series on my blog! Over the course of the next 6 weeks, I’ll be posting one tip every week including tips and tricks for capturing better shots of your little ones. Subscribe to my blog to be notified of these tips and be sure to tell your friends!
Photo Tip No. 1 ~ Think Outside the Box!
Get creative when taking your photos by changing positions - get down on your knees or get up on a chair! A simple way to make your photography more interesting is to change the position or angle of the camera. Most people take their pictures facing their subjects straight on. Try varying your camera position for interesting results that are often unexpected.
One of my favourite positions for photography is to get down on my belly. This is how I shoot most of my child photography. It allows me to get down at the same level as the little ones making their personality and spirit come alive!
You can also do the reverse and get up on a chair, ladder or set of stairs and take pictures from above. This changes the entire perspective of the photograph. Give it a try and you’ll be surprised at the results!
Another simple way to get an interesting effect is to rotate the camera from the normal shooting position. We are so used to seeing our subjects straight up and down. By tilting the camera, our subjects get titled as well adding a creative perspective.
One last thing! Try adding negative space around your subject. Negative space combined with an off centre subject can add a lot of impact to some images!
