Eastmon Digital Photography Tips » Portrait Photography

Challenge your photography

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:23:12 +0000

I ran across this great article from Jeff Wignall that really challenged the way I take photographs. In the article ‘Need a challenge? Illustrate a concept‘ it struck a chord with me about the shoot anything method with a digital camera.

I know when I pull out my DSLR, regardless of whether I am shooting with Nikon, Canon or whatever I have tended to just shoot so much and eventually be disappointed with my results. I have also noticed many people using compact digital cameras doing the same.

I remember my early days in the camera club being surprised by how many of the members used tripods. This generally slowed them down and made them more considered in their approach to what they were shooting. It was when I took this on board and tried to capture a image that provoked a certain emotion that my photography improved and I took less, but better photographs.

Time and patience is also another consideration to capture great images that evoke a response in the audience you are targeting with your images. I have watched many of our customers who create and sell their own greeting cards develop a sense of emotion from the photographs they take, because they are selling to a public that wants to convey a particular thought.

My goal one day is to put my own coffee table photo book together with a theme of images that convey a particular theme, emotion or colour. In the past I have had a number of frames which hang in different places throughout the house where I have made different size digital images to create a theme for that area. With the price of digital photo prints and enlargements now it is possible to regularly change them and surprise your friends and family each time.

Winning Digital Photo Contests (A Lark Photography Book)

The Top 5 Posing and Directing Photo Tips

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:56:08 +0000

The Top 5 Posing and Directing Photo Tips

In this video from Erin Manning you will learn the tips that professionals use to get posed, but natural looking shots. You have probably felt it yourself, what do I do with my hands? I feel awkward? etc. Most people are uncomfortable in front of a camera, so it is important that before and while you are shooting that you build up a rapport, even though that relationship may be only for 5 or 10 minutes or several hours. The more you gently give direction and encouragement the more relaxed everyone becomes and the better the photograph you will get.

Tip 1 Position your subject to make a three-quarter turn towards the camera and move their weight on to the back leg. This position gives the body shape, dimension and makes them look slimmer.

Tip 2 Don’t let your subject remain stationary, have them move their weight from front to back foot and create a sense of movement.

Tip 3 Most people are uncomfortable in front of the camera. Help them out by giving them direction. Tell them they look great, give them feedback and interact. The positive energy will show in your photographs.

Tip 4 A real expression is always better than a fake one. To alleviate a frozen, unnatural smile, try puffing the cheeks to relax your subjects face. Do it together! Puff out your cheeks, hold, then blow it out. This exercise relaxes your face, and the goofy look is enough to make anyone laugh.

Tip 5 Portraits are traditionally shot a few degrees above your subjects eyeline, but shoot from all different angles too. Mix it up and experiment!

If you enjoyed this video by Erin Manning you may like to view her book from our affiliate

Portrait and Candid Photography: Photo Workshop (Photo Workshop)

Getting started shooting portrait & candid photography

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:27:03 +0000

Getting started shooting portrait & candid photography

Getting started taking portrait and candid photographs can be a little intimidating at first. There always seems to be so much to remember, however in this short video by Erin Manning you will learn the very basics to get you started.

Erin is a professional photographer who hosts her own television program ‘The Whole Picture’ in the U.S. and also writes books on photography.

In this video you will get an overview of;

The Rule of Thirds
Don’t force a kid to say cheese
Don’t let your subject wear busy clothing
Don’t let your subjects look like red eyed monsters
Don’t take all your pictures at the same angle
Don’t forget to flash your subject
Don’t overlook the quality of the light
Don’t stand too close too your subject
Don’t shoot in front of a busy background
Don’t miss your shot because you ran out of battery

Taking great pictures is not pot luck. You can learn the slow and hard way of experimenting and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you want to save time, learn from an expert. There are very few secrets to getting great photos, but there are lot of great tips and techniques that you can learn from well written books and videos. Have a look at the book below and see if it fits in with the type of photography that you do.

If you would like to view Erin Manning’s book click on the link below.

Portrait and Candid Photography: Photo Workshop (Photo Workshop)

Easy tips to shoot great group photos

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:28:48 +0000

Easy tips to shoot great group photos

We’ve all seen them, and we’ve all probably taken one or more of them — the group photograph that didn’t quite work.

The kids look great; all happy, smiling faces.

But Grannie looks as if her favourite pet just died, and Uncle Joe … well, he is in the shot, but the bottom of his face has become lost behind Aunty Flo’s healthy crop of hair.

Group photos are among the most common. They’re taken at family gatherings, parties, weddings, at school, at work, in the sporting arena.

They are a vital part of photography, and that family shot taken at a 21st birthday party, or of young Billy’s first junior sporting team, can become a family heirloom — a treasured piece of family history.

So how can you get that great shot at the party — and as quickly as possible (keeping in mind that your subjects are there primarily to party, and not to hang around for half an hour while the happy snaps are taken)?

Here’s a few tips:

Be Prepared

Be prepared. Work out where you’ll take the photo, and let the group know when you’ll be wanting them to gather.

Make sure you have everybody there. Avoid the frustration of taking some really nice pictures, only to realise that someone is missing.

If, for example, it’s a celebration – someone’s 21st – use the the party decorations as a backdrop. Make the birthday person or the wedding couple central to the photo.

What is the photo about?

Make the photo explain what it’s about. If it’s a sports team, take the shot on the field (don’t line them up against the wall of the dressing sheds). If it’s a work shot, use the company logo or sign as part of the background.

Keep it tight

Keep the shot tight — get in close — but don’t cram the subjects. Make sure that, as we mentioned above, Uncle Joe’s face isn’t lost in Aunty Flo’s hair. Check your first couple of shots, and if someone’s partly obscured, rearrange the shot.

Take the photograph according to the occasion. If it’s a party, a celebration, get them smiling together, even if it means telling a silly joke or clowning around. There’s nothing worse than a grumpy face among a sea of happiness. Alternatively, if it’s a solemn occasion, even a slight grin can look awkwardly out of place.

Keep shooting

Take as many shots as you can within the short space of time you’ll be able to have the group together. Use continuous shooting mode if possible.

Vary the framing of your shots to suit the occasion. If it’s a ‘happy snap’ of a group of revelers, focus on their faces. If it’s a wedding or fancy dress occasion, what people are wearing is important, so zoom out.

Think about ‘dead space’ when posing the group: tall people to the rear or centre, shorter ones to the front or edges. If it’s a large family shot, don’t be afraid to use chairs for the senior or shorter people, with the taller ones standing in formation around those seated.

Light is everything

Lighting is important. Group portraits are all about faces, and you need to see them. In harsh sunlight, look for a shaded area to take shot in. Always try to use the flash.

Vary the height

Don’t be afraid to vary the height from which you take the picture. If it’s a group of children, get down to their level, rather than looking down on them. Alternatively, a group shot taken from height, using a ladder or a chair, and getting the subjects looking up at the camera, can provide a great effect.

Practice

Finally, as with just about everything, practice makes perfect.

Don’t be afraid to round up the family or some friends before the big party, and fire off some practice shots. Take note of what worked and what didn’t work — you’ll be all the better prepared when the real moment arrives!

How to place hands in your photographs

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:25:54 +0000

Hands can be pesky things to deal with when it comes to photography. They can be the difference between a photograph looking forced or relaxed. Most people always have to be doing something with their hands whether it is playing with their necklace, holding onto the bottom of their sleeve or picking at a loose thread on their jeans. However when someone pulls out a camera hands tend to instantly stop what they are doing and just sit there lifeless and rigid. It is an instant tell-tale on whether someone is comfortable in front of the camera or not.

Positioning the Hands

However there is a way to keep these hands under control and that is to simply give them something to do. Now this doesn’t have to be any thing extravagant like origami or anything like that, it can be as simple as getting the person lay one hand over the top of the other or give them something to hold. Some People say it is the reason that brides have bouquets so that no one can see how nervous they are or that their hands are shaking. It is a simple thing to consider when you are about to take a photo and yet it can make a world of difference.

Personality

Hands are also an important part of us that can give a clue to what type of person we are. A shy person may keep their hands close to them, while a more confident person may be more flamboyant with their hands. Some people talk with their hands using extravagant gestures to accompany what they are saying. Also hands are great for showing emotions such as a gentle touch on the cheek to let one know that it will be okay. Just by focusing on ones hands you can sometimes tell more of a story than if you photographed the whole scene.

Posing in Context

As I have mentioned previously, just before you take the photo take a second to look at the scene. Think about what type of photo you are taking, a formal or casual photo, and get the hands to act appropriately. For example you are taking a photo of your son on his graduation day. Rather than him standing there stiff and rigid get him to hold onto his certificate or his graduation hat, have him lean against a tree or put his hands behind his back. You will be surprised the difference it will make. Couple shots are the easiest because you can simply tell them to hold hands, link arms, give each other a cuddle, put their arms around each others waist… the list is endless. For a casual shot get them to put their hands in their pockets or lean on a chair. Hold onto the ends of their scarf if they have one on or fiddle with a piece of jewelery. It is amazing how by giving someone a task or something to think about they will relax and forget for at least a split second that they are getting a photo taken which is all the time you need to take a photo. It does take a little thought before you shoot but once you get into the habit of checking what those hands are up to you will notice your photos look a lot more relaxed and natural.

Amy works in the Ballina Eastmon store and has written a number of articles as she pursues her passion to be a Professional Photographer. You can read other article by Amy here.

Have fun with Black & White photos

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:57:30 +0000

Colour image converted to B&W with yellow balloon held back

I felt like trying something a little different and as I have just acquired a new photo editing program I decided to play with some of the different effects that can be achieved. The simplest and sometimes the most effective technique is turning your photos black and white. Almost every program is capable of achieving this whether it is a simple photo editing program that comes with your computer or Abode Photoshop.

B&W photography was the beginning of photography back in the days when they had nothing but. There are beautiful old B&W photographs that may be fifty, sixty or maybe even more and they could have been taken yesterday, besides the fashions and hair styles. Some places such as Dreamworld have people dress up in the old time clothes and take photos, editing them to make them look as though they are from the period they are after. Not only are these a lot of fun but they are a great idea for presents and make a unique family portrait. These days with the diversity of programs it is easy to take some of these photographs yourself. You just need to pull out the dress up box or raid the salvos. Then set up a simple background and away you go. Remember though to try and adopt the traditions of the time, for example, sorry to say, but the males are always the prominent ones in the photo.

Now it's colour...

However B&W photography is not just limited to period photos. There are many photographers that use B&W photographs, especially in weddings. B&W photos are good because they show the shade and textures of the subjects rather than the eye focusing on the colours. If done properly it can make the subject jump out of a photo simply by placing a dark subject in front of a light background or visa versa. You have to be careful though because impurities or intrusions in the photograph will be more prominent and could easily ruin a shot. B&W photos tend to have a different mood about them than coloured photos, as you can see in the example below. It is the same photograph but the black and white photo has a stronger presence.

Now it's Black & White.

B&W photography is a lot of fun and is good for teaching you to be aware of what you are photographing and considering the different shades of things. Also between your camera and your editing program you can also achieve some really creative shots. For example in the photos below I simply selected the balloon and then turned the rest of the photo B&W, making the balloon the focus of the photo. The possibilities are endless, all you need to do is go out and experiment and most importantly, have fun!

Amy works in the Ballina Eastmon store and has written a number of articles as she pursues her passion to be a Professional Photographer. You can read other article by Amy here.

5 Tips for Better Portrait Photos

Eastmon Admin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:51:03 +0000

If we were all honest everyone would admit to wanting a flattering portrait photo of themselves, not from a vanity point of view, but simply from the same way our mind sees us when we look at ourselves in the mirror.

Getting that picture means that we must take control of the portrait photo session. It’s important to become a picture director, not just a picture taker. A picture director takes charge of portraits, they set the scene and mood to create the best portraits.

Get the light just right

Light to a photographer is like paint to an artist, the lighting is vital!

Try and shoot your portraits without bright sunlight causing heavy shadows across the face or the subject squinting into the sun, even light is the best to start with.

Outdoors on an overcast day is ideal for even light and the best quality portraits. Underneath the shade of a tree is another great location with even lighting.

Capture in comfort

Not many people are naturally comfortable in front of a camera, some of their anxiety may be reduced depending upon your relationship and rapport you have with them.

Spend time making the person relaxed and comfortable before taking any portrait photos. Use this time to study your subject and observe their expressions.

Once your subject is relaxed it then allows for natural expressions and avoids forced, squinting smiles. If your camera has a continuous shooting mode, use it and delete all the bad shots. It’s always better to shoot too much, than risk not getting the right shot.

Control and remove onlookers

Nothing is more frustrating than the well meaning onlooker, you know them they’re there yelling “Smile” and “Sit up straight”.

Control or remove onlookers! Onlookers will make the person self conscious and less able to concentrate on your directions making the process painful.

Get some angle

Most of us have seen, or had taken of us those formal dress up shots where we stood like tin soldiers and smiled at the camera.

It’s rare that we would talk to anyone in that pose as we are used to looking and talking to people at different angles. Try not to have the subject facing directly towards you.

Have them swing their shoulders away and turn their head towards the camera. This is often made easier if you get their feet and shoulders pointing in the same direction and then turn their head towards the camera.

Position the camera at about, or just slightly higher than eye level of your subject. Too high means you will be looking down on the top of their head and too low tends to look up their nose.