Tag Archives: picture tips

Thanksgiving—-The Perfect Photo Op

My mom hates posing for picture. Ditto for my dad. Regardless, I don’t let their distaste for being photographed tarnish my efforts to use family get-togethers as the perfect venue to snap frame worthy shots. Nor should you. November is here and the holiday season is fast approaching. It’s a time when many families will be gathering at the same place at the same time. Which means it is the prime opportunity to snap a group portrait. Especially if you have family members who only make it home once a year. The following are some simple tips to help you … Continue reading →

Capturing Shots During the “Golden Hours”

Early on in my college photography class I learned about the “golden hours.” Otherwise known as the first hour after dawn and the last hour before dusk. Photographers taking shots in the great outdoors are taught to shoot during these times to capture color that is unrivaled. These days I try to time my outdoor photo shoots so they coincide with sunset. The warm glow and saturated colors this particular “golden hour” imparts can’t be captured at any other time of the day. I recognized this the first time I went to the beach to take shots of the sunset. … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for October 22-27, 2007

Halloween is just a few days away and along with having plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters make sure you have enough film or room on your digital camera’s memory card to snap some memorable shots of your little ghosts and goblins. If you are looking for tips on how to capture frame worthy shots of this spooky holiday you’ve come to the right place. The Photography Week in Review is your one-stop shopping resource to get all the photo tips you missed over the past few days. October 22nd—Is It Time For a New Digital Camera? Once Halloween is over … Continue reading →

More Fun Photo Projects

I hate throwing duplicate pictures into a storage container and letting the containers sit and collect dust. To avoid having to do so I try to find unique ways to display or present my favorite shots. The following are few simple and affordable ways you can put those extra pictures to good use. What’s more, the projects are easy enough for kids to get in on the action. PHOTO PLACEMATS This project makes a great gift for grandparents who live in a different state or nice present to give a friend who is moving to a new city. I use … Continue reading →

Halloween Photo Tips—Shooting Your Little Pumpkins

Now that you know how to capture great shots of your Jack-O-Lanterns let’s discuss ways you can snap winning shot of your littlest pumpkins. Mine is dressing up as a monkey this year complete with a stuffed banana and curly tail. Given that grandma and grandpa live 5,000 miles away, it’s vital that I document the upcoming costumed festivities properly. The following tips are ones that have helped me capture memorable Halloween memories over the years: Shoot Early. My mom would not allow us out of the house on Halloween night without getting a group shot first. The No. 1 … Continue reading →

Tips On Photographing Your Child’s Masterpieces

Think fast: What color is your refrigerator? If you have mini-Picasso’s living in your home you may have to think about that question for a while. If your frig looks anything like mine you may not even know what color the handle is. My daughter’s artwork covers every millimeter of our refrigerator. And believe me, she knows if even one of her drawings or paintings has been removed. To keep her mosaic masterpiece under control I’ve been forced to get creative. In doing so I have learned that photography is a perfect way to tame the Crayola beast. Here’s how: … Continue reading →

Photography Lessons: The Rule of Thirds

I’ve touched on the topic of composition in previous blogs, but I’ve never gone in depth about the “Rule of Thirds.” It was one of the first lessons I learned during my college photography class and one that I have continued to apply to improve my shots over the years. The act of composing a shot boils down to focusing your attention on the subject and its surroundings in the viewfinder. Basically, you want to pay attention to how you set up your shot before snapping your picture. If you are shooting with a digital camera you have the advantage … Continue reading →

Photography Week In Review For October 8-13, 2007

Mother Nature is going out in a blaze of colorful glory and her natural fireworks show was the topic of quite a few blogs this week. Mother Nature, babies and frames—we’ve covered them all. If you missed any of them look at the Photography Week in Review as the ultimate way to get caught up. Heck, you may just pick up a useful tip or two. October 8th—Capturing A Picture Perfect Autumn Landscape. Tis the season to leaf peep and this blog gets you into the spirit by listing some helpful tips on how to morph Mother Nature’s masterpieces into … Continue reading →

Capturing Candid Shots

Posed shots are wonderful ways to document family members and friends. However, people tend to put on a mask when they pose and by doing so you lose the raw emotion of a given moment. Don’t get me wrong; posed shots or portraits are vital to have if you want formal artifacts of an event. I just personally enjoy mixing formal shots with a few candid ones. Whereas portraits contain a more intentional composition, candid shots allow you to be more creative and you are able to capture the true essence of an event a bit better. So how do … Continue reading →

Telling A Story With Your Shots

When it comes to taking pictures I have a bad habit of getting caught up in the moment and not paying attention to the little details that can make or break a frame worthy shot. I’ve always blamed it on the fact that most of the pictures I take are of my 3-year-old. Given that she is in one place for a very limited amount of time I tend to rush my shots in fear that the image I want to capture will disappear in the blink of an eye (or at least as quickly as she sees me whip … Continue reading →