August 21, 2011

Photography Tips Mom to Mom, Michelle East, Award Winning Photographer and Artist, Memphis TN


Hi to all the Moms out there who love to take pictures of their babies - no matter what their age!

I get a lot of questions these days about digital cameras, taking pictures, computer
software, etc..... you get my drift!  It seems like we all have to be photographers
even if we just want to be moms! So I thought it would be fun to post once a week
or so, a tip to help you as moms take better pictures of your children.

So check back often and get your camera ready because you will become a better photographer
if you follow my tips.  :)

To kick off the Photography Tips Mom to Mom blog I want to start with a natural light tip. I am assuming 99% of you do your photography with natural light or with a pop up flash on your camera, which I want you to stop using immediately!

A flash makes the skin look over exposed and blotchy.  The best and most natural look for your pictures will always be natural light.  Please, please, please turn the camera's automatic flash off if you can. You may even go so far as to borrow your husbands duct tape and tape that sucker down!!!!

Head outside into an area out of the direct sun, i.e. shady spot.  Remember not to get into too dark of an area. We in professional photography call it open shade. It is where once you have the child set up, there is open sky on both sides of the child when you look thru the camera. Another option is to use tree shade or a porch.  Try to get the light on your child from the sides rather that straight above which causes shadows on their sweet little eyes.

If you are inside, go to a window to get the natural light falling on your children. Surround them in a warm glow keeping the shadows off their faces. Watch what the light does. You are training your eye to see as a professional photographer sees! Once you get the lighting right, act fast because sunlight changes quickly and so do kids!

A great set up inside it to have the window on the right or left of the child and them facing you forward.

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|  Window         X  Child
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                        X  You








Here is your photography cheat sheet!
Enjoy!
If you like this idea of tips from me on photography, please let me know. I would love to hear from you. Also, I will take questions and try to answer them on the blog if I feel they would be good for everyone to hear.

Happy Photographing!

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