PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum - View Single Post

New England Moments · 03-04-2008

Hi Kim, Welcome and Thanks for posting!!

Wow, 2 year old, thats tuff lol.... They say kids only have a lock down time of around 2 or 3 minutes waiting on a photo ... and then they are off to never never land lol...

It sounds like you are trying to duplicate studio type shots?? I only say this because you mention Lights, and Lighting Forum...? so just something to think about, would be to use someone other than your Daughter as a prop , until you are set up, and happy with lighting and exposure... Then out goes the Stunt Man, and in comes the daughter.. giving you full advantage of your 3 Minutes lol...

I also think Outdoor shots, set up, or Candid are great for kids... more in their element..
Worm, ( Jay ) brings up great points about Flash, and I always whenever possible steered away... Kids also can anticipate flash, and their minds concentrate on that exact moment it goes, which usually ends in unnatural expressions, as they build up for the blast, and you say get ready , one , two , three , or even Cheese lol... They usually are not in a natural mode during this time..

I think candids are great of kids, and proper cropping in PP, makes for some super portraits.. not only kids , but adults and teens even feel more comfortable outdoors.. The Majority of portrait shooting , I have done , has always been outdoors... School Pics, the Teens Love picking their own locations, and boy are they relaxed during a shoot... This type shooting also allows kids to be natural, and you to roam with them , waiting for that great capture.. and being outdoors gives you better control of exposures / and speeds..

You also got to get on their level, eye to eye, so be prepared to also get yourself on the ground... watch for shadows, and sun positions... Just make it a relaxed time outside, doing an activity with her.. and sooner or latter, as kids do, she will occupy her thoughts on the activity, and Not your camera...

Again as Jay pointed out above , shoot / shoot / and shoot some more...

Hey , put up some of those pics and lets see what you have... again THANKS for Posting and look forward to seeing some of your work here, Portraits or Nature !!

03-04-2008	#4 (permalink)
New England Moments Former Camel Posts: 3,215 CamelKarma: 886 Editing OK?: No Gallery \| Blog	Re: Photographing children Hi Kim, Welcome and Thanks for posting!! Wow, 2 year old, thats tuff lol.... They say kids only have a lock down time of around 2 or 3 minutes waiting on a photo ... and then they are off to never never land lol... It sounds like you are trying to duplicate studio type shots?? I only say this because you mention Lights, and Lighting Forum...? so just something to think about, would be to use someone other than your Daughter as a prop , until you are set up, and happy with lighting and exposure... Then out goes the Stunt Man, and in comes the daughter.. giving you full advantage of your 3 Minutes lol... I also think Outdoor shots, set up, or Candid are great for kids... more in their element.. Worm, ( Jay ) brings up great points about Flash, and I always whenever possible steered away... Kids also can anticipate flash, and their minds concentrate on that exact moment it goes, which usually ends in unnatural expressions, as they build up for the blast, and you say get ready , one , two , three , or even Cheese lol... They usually are not in a natural mode during this time.. I think candids are great of kids, and proper cropping in PP, makes for some super portraits.. not only kids , but adults and teens even feel more comfortable outdoors.. The Majority of portrait shooting , I have done , has always been outdoors... School Pics, the Teens Love picking their own locations, and boy are they relaxed during a shoot... This type shooting also allows kids to be natural, and you to roam with them , waiting for that great capture.. and being outdoors gives you better control of exposures / and speeds.. You also got to get on their level, eye to eye, so be prepared to also get yourself on the ground... watch for shadows, and sun positions... Just make it a relaxed time outside, doing an activity with her.. and sooner or latter, as kids do, she will occupy her thoughts on the activity, and Not your camera... Again as Jay pointed out above , shoot / shoot / and shoot some more... Hey , put up some of those pics and lets see what you have... again THANKS for Posting and look forward to seeing some of your work here, Portraits or Nature !!