Tag Archives: photo tips

Snap To It

Christmas is right around the corner, so snap to it—literally. The holidays are prime time for capturing generations of loved ones in the same place at the same time.  That’s a rare event for most clans, which is why you should take advantage of the opportunity when given the chance. Don’t let the holidays pass you by without snapping family photos that you can cherish for decades to come.  Gather your kids, their cousins, grandparents, even your four-legged family members, and document the good times.  When you are done snapping posed shots, keep your camera on you and get in … Continue reading →

Have You Created Fantasy Portraits?

Now that the Christmas shopping season is officially underway, it’s time to start thinking about gifts to give family and friends. What better way for an avid shutterbug to make the most of his picture-taking talents than to create photo gifts to give out in the coming weeks? I’m over photo books and the plethora of other boring photo gift ideas, including totes, magnets, mouse pads and t-shirts. This year I am toying with the idea of creating my own fantasy portraits and giving them out as gifts. Fantasy portraits, magic portraits, prop portraits; they are referred to by several … Continue reading →

Are You Filling Your Frame?

Tis the season to be snapping photos you want to feature on your holiday greeting. But how do you capture the money shot when your family refuses to cooperate? After all, crying kids and disinterested dogs don’t make for a joyous photo presentation. You are on your own getting your kids to sit for a family portrait; however, I have tips on making the most of the photo op once you are able to wrangle your pint-sized subjects in front of the Christmas tree. For starters, when you are photographing a young child it pays to get as close as … Continue reading →

Taking Sweeping Shots

Panoramic photography allows you to take sweeping shots of scenes and place them together in one beautiful photo. If you prefer to shoot with a traditional 35mm film camera you will likely have to spend thousands of dollars investing in an upgraded model that features special lenses to document panoramic images. However, you can get the same results with the traditional film or digital camera you already own by either cropping a 35mm frame into a panoramic format or taking multiple images and then molding them together on your computer. If you shoot exclusively with a digital camera consider the … Continue reading →

Snapping Spectacular Sunset Shots

If there is any time of the year to snap a spectacular shot of a sunset it’s now. Summertime means frequent trips to the beach and whether you are spending time at the shore on the East Coast, a coastal retreat out west or camping in the heartland you are bound to witness an awe-inspiring sunset at some point. The trick is doing justice to its beauty with your camera. The following are tips to consider before pointing and shooting at the horizon this summer: PLAN AHEAD Think about your composition. Do you want a simple shot of the sun … Continue reading →

When the Batteries Run Out

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You’re ready to take the perfect photo. You’ve set up the shot, remembering to do all the little things, and you’re about to snap the picture when your camera suddenly goes dark. No LCD screen, no flashing lights, nothing. Your batteries just ran out at the most inconvenient time. It happens, but a good photographer (or at least a photographer who’s made the mistake before) always has a backup plan. No camera is any good without a power source. Depending on the type of camera you have, you may find this problem a little more troublesome. But here are some … Continue reading →

More Tips to Consider When Shooting Outdoors

It’s summer and there is no better time than now to take as many outdoor shots as possible. Whether you are capturing your daughter’s first swim lesson or your son’s first t-ball game you want to make sure you get the best photos possible. And since these summer activities take place in the great outdoors it’s important to learn how to use the sun to your advantage. For example: FLASH Turn off your flash. This is especially important if you have a moderate priced point and shoot digital camera off. Most cameras in this category have overpowering flashes that turn … Continue reading →

Pictures and Color Temperature

When avid photographers hear the term “color temperature” most think of White Balance. When I was working in TV, white balance was a critical factor in daily shooting and is the reason you see some interview subjects holding up a white piece of paper in front of TV cameras prior to the start of a press conference or other major media event. White Balance essentially measures the color temperature of a photo and on most digital cameras there is some function that allows you to control the White Balance in your shot. While most people simply employ the Auto White … Continue reading →

Taking Your Camera to the Beach… and Using It

Summer is here… a time when millions of families head to the sun, sand, and surf. And along with the sunscreen, water and towels most will tote along their cameras to capture the sun-filled memories of children splashing in waves or building monster sand castles. Only not every shutterbug readily whips out his or her camera in the heat of the moment for fear that the elements (water, sand, etc.) will damage their expensive digital devices. Meanwhile, others simply forget that their cameras are sitting in their beach bags waiting to be used. As you head out on your family … Continue reading →

Black and White Photography—What’s Old is New Again

Black and white photos have long been popular with couples planning a wedding and first time parents trying to capture the emotion of a particular moment. But these days you see more and more amateur photographers shooting in black and white to add a different perspective to their shots. If you are thinking of going black and white consider these tips to ensure your photos are as frameworthy as possible: BACKGROUND When shooting in black and white it’s critical that the background does not distract from your subject. In most cases you can eliminate distractions by moving your subject a … Continue reading →