1st Workshop

This past weekend, Vignette Photography and Red Maple Media (me and Katie Hamlin) hosted a photography for beginners workshop! We covered the basics of shooting in manual mode, composition, and using natural light. I discussed portrait and event photography, while Katie covered macro and landscape photography. It was such fun to share what we know with others and see their photography improve right there. 

I tried my hand at Macro, with my 50mm. This is about as macro as I get.

 Katie and attendees practicing their new macro skills.

 

 A few shots of Katie as I demonstrated portrait photography.

 

 

Hopefully we'll get to host another workshop soon. Let me know if you'd be interested! Also check out my posts '5 ways to take better photos' and '5 more ways to take better photos'.

 

-Maggie

My baby is 3!

I finally 'got around' to shooting H's 3 year photos. I absolutely love photographing him, but the aspiring photographer that he is, he always ends up stealing the camera. Can't blame him really, I have way more fun behind the camera too. ;)

Challenging Dad to a wrestling match, with growling noises and all.

Did I mention I love close-ups......I can't seem to keep the camera out of people's faces, especially my baby boy. And I use a 50mm, that's close. Just can't help it.

Photo Stats:
     All the photos were taken outside, on a cloudy day (great for diffused light) with my Nikon D300 and 50mm 1.8 lens. In AV mode (only auto shutter speed), at a 3.2 or 2.8 aperture, auto White Balance, and an ISO of 400 (since it was a bit cloudy).


Happy Friday!

- Maggie

5 More Ways to Take Better Photos

1. Use lots of light.
To make skin look flawless and creamy you need lots of soft light coming from a large light source, such as the sun- I know sounds counterintuitive right! To achieve this when taking portraits shoot outside on a cloudy day or in the shade, even inside next to a window can work. This gets ride of any shadows on the face, caused by harsh lighting, that will show blemishes, wrinkles, etc. To add even more light and make skin look even better, shoot next to a light colored wall to bounce more light onto your subjects face. Expands on #4

2. Create pretty bokeh- or a blurry background.
Getting close to your subject takes the distraction away from the background and leaves you with a pretty play of light. To really get the full benefit of this effect you need to not only get close to your subject but also use a shallow depth of field or a wide aperture. This means taking the camera off the Auto setting-yikes!- and adjusting the aperture on a creative setting. The easiest way is to use the aperture setting, A or Av, which allows you to adjust aperture then does the rest of the work for you. You want to choose the widest, lowest number, possible but if you have a DSLR then your best results might be a stop or two above the lowest. Hopefully I kept it simple =-). Expands on #1

*Aperture controls the depth of field or amount of focus on a subject. The wider the aperture (low number) then less of the subject will be out of focus; the smaller the aperture (larger number) then more of the subject will be in focus.

3. No more “Cheese”- coach your subject to look more natural and relaxed.
Start by having them try out a couple of smiles while taking a few “test shots” to find what looks the most flattering on them.  Then you can coach your subject to use that smile. When you notice your subject getting tired have them look down or away, then look at you as you snap your camera. Its an easy way to get a fresh, relaxed look. Of course don’t tell them your trying to get them to look relaxed, they will probably get self conscious.

* For kids, when you are behind the camera talk to them. Tell a funny story, smile a lot, tickle them, tell them not to smile (which always works), play peek-a-boo behind the camera, etc.

　

4. Create depth.
When shooting add layers to the photo by including an object from the foreground or background to create a more interesting photograph.

5. Leading lines.
When shooting look for leading lines- or objects that draw the eye to the subject. Lets go to the photograph to really explain this one. I used the "fence" to draw the eye to the bride and groom, making the photo more dynamic.

 **Bonus: Just brighten the photo. Photos right out of the camera sometimes look “muddy” and adjusting the brightness level can clear that away. If you are able to brighten certain areas, do the eyes and inner corners of the eyes as well.

5 ways to take better photos

1. Get close
Getting up close and personal with your subject makes a big difference with the overall look of a photo. This gives the photo focus (hahaha) and visual interest by eliminating the distraction of a busy or boring background. It also shows off details like the petals of a flower or the color of someone's eyes.

2. Work the angles

By changing your angle you can get lots of different photos from one pose. Or allow you to find the most interesting angle.

3. Rule of thirds
Instead of always placing your subject in the center of the frame try the "Rule of Thirds". It suggests putting the subject at an intersection of the points or along a vertical or horizontal line to show off more background and instantly give your photo more interest.

4. Lighting, lighting, lighting

When you go to shoot try waiting until dusk/sunset, a cloudy day (that’s right), or shade during the day. Using diffused light eliminates the harsh look of extreme light and dark areas and makes for soft and even looking skin tone.

Both are shot indoors but the second is farther away from the window, eliminating the high contrast.

*My baby, H, at 10 months and 2 months.

5. Shoot emotions
And above all else, shoot emotions. Nothing makes a photo better than capturing a great moment. Some of my favorites photos, and usually the brides too, are the ones that aren’t technically perfect but is a perfect moment.

Happy shooting,

 Maggie