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Photography
Poses - The Missing Ingredient
By
Robert Bezman
You've read all the "best digital camera"
articles, got the best price on your first
digital camera, and even glanced at its
owner's manual. Are you itching to take some
shots of your family, or what?
Slow down, soldier. Before you take 200
shots that seem great at the time, but then
upon review of the final picture are less
than what you expected, let's prepare.
Prepare?!?! I'll bet you thought charging
the battery was the hardest part of taking
great photos, didn't you? Sorry to
disappoint you, but if you want to improve
your photo results 50% in 2 minutes, let's
review some basic advice of the pros.
There are two categories of GENERAL ADVICE
which applies, regardless of whether you're
using a digital camera to take family
portrait poses, baby pictures, pet
portraits, group pictures, funny photos, or
even maternity portraits. The first category
is...
"Good Planning" Advice for Photography
Poses
1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by thinking about
every photograph you want to take and what
kind of photography pose or poses you would
like to capture. Consider who, where, how,
and the type of environment.
2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each pose (remember,
digital memory is reusable, a.k.a. "free").
Regardless of what you say or do, people
will blink. And don't count on spotting
small problems on the tiny camera LCD screen
(even on full magnification); which leads
to...
3) Check LCD Screen
Check the digital camera's LCD screen for
general framing of the picture, any
movement, visibility of faces, and the
histogram. Note that you can think up a
fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone
perfectly; and, have the photograph "frozen"
(no blinking, and no shaking of the
camera)...but, when you check it out in the
LCD, you see 2 drunks fighting in the
background! And, my favorite...
4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases handy to use just
before you take the photo. Don't use it when
setting up for the shot. And, don't use the
same phrase all the time. Throw in funny
anecdotes, phrases, names, words that you
know your family will find more amusing than
"cheese." A natural smile looks four times
better than a fake one. The second category
is...
"Location" Advice for Photography Poses
Taking indoor family photography, is very
different than outdoor family photograph
(duh!). For INDOOR pictures...
1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide angle more
often than your telephoto setting. Pay
particular attention to your "end people"
(those farthest to the right and the left in
your viewfinder), and verify there is enough
space in picture, so that if cropping is
required, the end people don't have to lose
a limb.
2) The Flash
Flash considerations are critical. Do not
be outside your "flash range." For example,
if at ISO 100, your flash can properly
illuminate 12 feet, don't attempt any
photography pose that requires anyone to
stand at 14 feet (unless, of course, it's
evil cousin Ira who you want to appear in
darkness).
3) Plan "B"
If you need to be further away than your
flash allows, here are 2 things you can
try...First, increase the ISO setting (but
not so much as to produce to much noise), or
second, move to a significantly brighter
location.
4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting features, change
your settings to blur the background (see
the Techniques page). The best photography
pose in the world won't look right with a
distracting background. And finally...
5) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces
in the background and you can't find a
different location, only take the picture in
such a way that the flash is not
perpendicularto the surface, but at an angle
(unless you want a nice photo of your
flash).
Outdoor family photography has completely
different issues. For OUTDOOR photography...
6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or
in mixed light and shade, especially faces.
Optimal lighting results from a slightly
overcast sky.
7) Shade
When photographing in shade, use fill-flash
(see terms) when necessary. And, really
finally...
8) Beauty
If practical, take the picture at one of
the beautiful natural settings near you.
Imagine the result of a creative photography
pose captured in a stunning environment. Can
you say: "Over the mantle!"?
To see some sample pictures including more
photography tips, go to
www.best-family-photography-tips.com/photography-pose.html.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights
reserved.
Robert Bezman is a professional
photographer and owner of Custom
Photographic Expressions. Robert has created
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com
to help beginning and intermediate
photographers create better photographs.
Robert is offering a free newsletter and
eBook that can be obtained by visiting
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/photography-newsletter.html
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