photo mini class

Our women's group at church had a travel themed summer kick off social and I got to give the mini-class on "Tips for Taking Better Vacation Photos"  So I thought I'd post the handout I made up for your perusal!  ***Note!  If images of you or your children appear in this tutorial and you wish them removed, please let me know and I will take them off immediately; no worries!***


Before You Go…

Know your camera. Read the camera instructions to find out if there are features such as red eye reduction, fill-flash or pre-programmed shooting modes that can improve your photos. Figure out how to disable your flash.

Practice using your camera by taking a bunch of photos of the same thing using different settings. This way you get a good idea of what you and your camera can do.

Buy a camera bag or designate a camera spot in the bag you will be carrying. Not only will a camera bag protect your camera in transit, but it will also help you carry your camera comfortably and keep it handy for action. Remember items such as tripods, battery chargers, extra media storage cards and batteries.

Make a photo idea file and collect photos from magazines or blogs etc that have great compositions or unique angles that speak to you. Review them before you leave to get your creative juices flowing.

While on Vacation…

Step 1 Compose the photo

Rule of Thirds. If you position your subject away from the middle of the frame, the result will be a more artful and compelling photo. Pretend your camera frame is divided into three sections, from top to bottom and from side to side (like a tic-tac-toe game). Put your horizon or subject(s) on one of those lines or their intersections.

Do a Background check! Pay attention to the scene you are shooting. A stray sign at the edge of your viewfinder or a busy background can ruin a great photo. Put the camera down and survey the scene before you shoot. Moving a few feet can also help eliminate ugly elements like power lines, garbage trucks, billboards or trees growing out of someone’s head.

or grandpa's hair disappearing into the grey sky.

Experiment with different angles by moving your camera around while looking through your viewfinder, changing your perspective, getting very low or as high as you can. Try climbing up on a wall or the hood of your car or getting down on the ground.

typical shot

same place, new angle

get above your subject

or

get right down on the ground

take a vertical and a horizontal shot of the same subject

Zoom in on the subjects in your photos so their faces and expressions are visible. Include only as much of the background as is needed. Sometimes a more interesting photo can be of the smaller parts of a large object. Before you take the shot, ask yourself, “Can I get closer?” If the answer is yes, then you should.

yes, it this shows the big picture...

but this shows what's really going on.

Consider your lighting. Keep the sun at your back. When the sun is behind your subject, it is likely to create a dark shadow over them. Use your camera's "fill-flash" mode (forced flash) to counteract this problem if you can't change their position.

forced flash would have eliminated the weird shadows on the kids.

Sunny days are good for landscape/scenery photos, but cloudy days are better for taking portraits. The "golden hour" at dusk and dawn make for dramatic photos.

Disable your flash in museums and when taking a photo through glass (in a car, at an aquarium etc.).

When in doubt, take a shot with and a shot without the flash.

Step 2 Taking The Shot

Breathe in while holding your camera close to you as you press the shutter button. This reduces camera movement that causes blurring. Hold steady. Try using a tripod or mini-tripod, or at least stabilize your hand on a rock, wall, or other stationary object.

To avoid shutter lag, hold the shutter button on your camera halfway down and take aim. Wait for your subject to make their move (whether it’s taking a swing at the piñata or waving a sparkler on the Fourth of July), and then press your shutter button down the rest of the way.

Step 3 Take as many photos as you can!

Tips for Special Situations

*If you are the subject, standing at a slight angle instantly slims your silhouette.

*Self-portrait (couple): Reach out as far as you can so your two faces have a backdrop. Shoot from above to avoid double chins.

*Group shot: Remember, standing much closer than usually feels comfortable will look natural in the photo. And if you’re shooting 8 or more, stand on a chair.

*Sunset: Simply snapping a pic might result in a grainy photo. Never use a flash unless you’re shooting someone in the foreground and want to see their features instead of their silhouette. Underexpose sunsets a lot, this will help you capture the incredible reds, rich oranges and yellows. Use the manual mode to underexpose.

*For clear campfire shots, let your camera take its exposure readings from a well-lit face. Fire in the picture frame will throw off your camera’s calculations.

Shake things up & have fun!

*Don’t take things too seriously.

*Goofy trick photo ideas from Family Fun Magazine

* Do a background check to see if you can make the photo silly or fun!

*Experiment with poses and ask your subjects to give you a range of expressions. (Asking for a serious face often gives people the giggles!)

*Give the camera to the kids and acquire some spontaneous playful shots.

*Capture the details that can make a celebration so special. Whether it's a beautiful flower arrangement or handmade party favors or food, get in close to the small things.

*Experiment with black and white.

nice composition, but really busy colors...

easier to look at and focus on the subject.

*Think about a new point of view from which you approach the image.

*Look for fun letters on signs – use them ransomed note style to title your scrapbook pages.

*Take a series of shots of the same thing and frame the group for an artsy presentation.

I also talked about framing your subjects and showing scale, but if I put one more image on this post might self-destruct :)  Hope you find some of this helpful!