Photography for Moms!

Early this month I taught my first photography class for moms. It was wonderful! Ten amazing women with their children from 1 month old to 18. Unlike most photography classes, we didn't cover any technical terms like aperture, shutter speed, f-stop etc. Instead, we talked about 10 ways to make a better photograph and if the those classic terms came up, we talked about them. As promise here are our tips again...

10 Tips for a Great Photo.

1. Look your subject in the eye. The eyes are the gateway to a person's soul. In our case as moms our children's eyes show us their personality.

Normally photos are taking this way. How does it look? Not very interesting, the idea is to see you subject. So stoop down and get into your child's face and capture his or her amazing smile. It doesn't matter if they are looking into the camera. All by itself that eye level angle will create a personal and inviting feeling that pulls you into the picture. If you photo looks like the one on the left, try it again it isn't film! You have as many photos as your memory card can hold.

2. Look at you background, is it messy or clean.
Often the difference between a great photo and a okay photo, is the background. Make sure there is no poles or branches growing out of your subject's head. Also a plain background is better, unless it is a some great interesting. In our example, the background isn't very interesting and there is even a water bottle back there. By simply changing your position, the back ground can change.

3. It is okay to use your flash in the daytime.

Don't be afraid of the flash. It can help eliminate unwanted shadows. If the person is within five feet, use the fill-flash mode; beyond five feet, the full-power mode may be required. With a digital camera, use the picture display panel to review the results. On cloudy days, use the camera's fill-flash mode if it has one. The flash will brighten up people's faces and make them stand out. Also take a picture without the flash, because the soft light of overcast days sometimes gives quite pleasing results by itself.

4. Get closer.
This is similar to number one but it is worth repeating. Getting closer creates a photo with impact.





















5. Move it from the center
Enhance any photo or portrait by moving you focus away from the center. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder and move the subject to one of the intersecting points. If you are up to it put something interesting in the background like a door or window.

6. Lock the focus

If your subject is not in the center of the picture, you need to lock the focus to create a sharp picture. Most auto-focus cameras focus on whatever is in the center of the picture. But to improve pictures, you will often want to move the subject away from the center of the picture. If you don't want a blurred picture, you'll need to first lock the focus with the subject in the middle and then recompose the picture so the subject is away from the middle.

Usually you can lock the focus in three steps. First, center the subject and press and hold the shutter button halfway down. Second, reposition your camera (while still holding the shutter button) so the subject is away from the center. And third, finish by pressing the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.


7.Know your flash's range

The number one flash mistake is taking pictures beyond the flash's range. Why is this a mistake? Because pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be too dark. For many cameras, the maximum flash range is less than fifteen feet—about five steps away.

What is your camera's flash range? Look it up in your camera manual. Can't find it? Then don't take a chance. Position yourself so subjects are no farther than ten feet away.
8. Watch the light.
Next to the subject, the most important part of every picture is the light. It affects the appearance of everything you photograph. Try to avoid having the sun in your lens, unless you know how to manually control your camera. Don't place your subject in the direct sun, it causes them to frown and you everyone in your photo looks mad at you. A good spot for photos is in the open shade or in a room that get wonderful window light. Open the blinds! This photo was taking inside the living room with the blinds open and the baby face the window.

9

.Take some vertical pictures

Is your camera vertically challenged? It is if you never turn it sideways to take a vertical picture. All sorts of things look better in a vertical picture. From a lighthouse near a cliff to the Eiffel Tower to your four-year-old niece jumping in a puddle. So next time out, make a conscious effort to turn your camera sideways and take some vertical pictures.
10. Be a director
ake control of your picture-taking and watch your pictures dramatically improve. Become a picture director, not just a passive picture-taker. A picture director takes charge. A picture director picks the location: "Everybody go outside to the backyard." A picture director adds props: "Girls, put on your pink sunglasses." A picture director arranges people: "Now move in close, and lean toward the camera." Most pictures won't be that involved, but you get the idea: Take charge of your pictures and win your own best picture awards.

Now it is your turn. You have the steps try them out and let me know how it works. When it stops raining, I will do it with using my point and shoot. Remember use your Scotch tape. Thank you all for coming, next class is camera manuals and posting thing on the internet :)