Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Create Haunting Halloween Photographs
Stage Your Shots: The standard head-on group shot is fine for starters, but here’s a chance to let the kids play a commanding role. Ask them to create their own scary poses or have them jump out from behind a wall and shoot once they scream “Boo!” Let them orchestrate a scene and photograph each step—your burst mode might come in handy here—and create a series of action photos that tell their unique and spooky story.
Photographing Your Jack-o-lantern: Photographing a jack-o-lantern can be a tricky proposition. Make sure the carvings allow enough light to come through the holes—consider carving a wider smile or eyes if needed. Most people put a single candle inside but for photography purposes, you’ll need more light to come trough so consider adding one or two additional candles per pumpkin. Better yet—try inserting a small flashlight instead.
You can also up the spook factor by placing your jack-o-lanterns on a reflective surface such as a wood table. Just be aware of the area behind you; keep the lights dim and move any objects that would clutter or compromise the background.
Make Your Own Lighting Prop: Instead of using a flash, which can be too stark to create the scary feel you seek, try taking a flashlight and covering the front with wax paper and a rubber band. Have your child point the flashlight toward his face—keep it at waist level and out of the shot—to create a soft and spooky lighting effect.
Give the Kids Presence: Position yourself close to the ground and photograph your subjects while shooting upward. By playing with your position and their poses, you can create an ominous image and make the kids look taller and more foreboding. They’ll get a kick out of seeming larger than life and the resulting photographs will be more compelling than a standard shot.
Enhance the Details: Does someone have an amazing make-up job or scary mask? Shoot their face full-frame for maximum effect. Today’s costumes have some of the most remarkable and intricate detail, so if something catches your eye, use it as a focal point for an image. Maybe it’s a skull bracelet or a prop that grabs you; it’s the small details that often make the most unique photographs.
No Reckless Photo Posting: Remember to never post photos of anyone else’s children on Facebook or other sites without first getting permission from their parents. It can be very disconcerting for someone to come across a photo of her own child without knowing about it in advance.
Happy Halloween!
The Best Gear for Braving the Elements
We welcome fall for the season’s respite from the sweltering summer sun, but with this lovely season often comes unpredictable weather and obstacles to getting that perfect shot we seek. With a little preparation, however, you’ll find that the outdoors can be a powerful partner in helping you garner some of your favorite photos ever!
Prepare for the Possibilities: Certain parts of the country are more prone to rain than others, but there will always be surprise showers hiding behind those seemingly sunny skies. It’s best to have provisions for rain and moisture tucked away in your bag, backpack or the trunk of your car. Keep a clear plastic bag to cover and transport your gear and keep it safe, along with a towel, compressed air and a lens cleaning kit.
Get a Jacket for Your Camera: The debate on whether dogs should wear sweaters rages on, but we fervently believe your camera should be properly dressed in lousy weather conditions. Our rain jacket is competitively priced and designed to accommodate most SLR and DSLR models. You can access all the controls through two side sleeves and getting the jacket on and off your camera is a snap.
Choose Gear that Weathers the Weather Well: There are many photography products designed specifically to withstand the rigors of temperamental Mother Nature. For example, our new AWXC Red Card (available in CF and SDHC) is an ultra high-speed memory card designed to be waterproof, shockproof and specifically designed for use in extreme temperatures. If your outdoor events include rain, sleet or snow, this media card will protect your images because it’s designed for use in difficult weather situations. Another bonus? These cards are manufactured in the U.S.A.
Protect Your Lens: We’ve all had those cringe-worthy moments when we realize that we’ve touched our lens or inadvertently bumped into something with our lens bearing the brunt of the collision. We have a new protective filter designed specifically to protect your lens from smudges and the elements. The PROMASTER Digital HGX Protection filter is a crystal clear colorless filter with second generation advanced anti-reflective coatings designed especially for use with digital imaging sensors. The HGX filters have the exclusive REPELLAMAX Element Resistant coating which repeals moisture, dust, and fingerprints. Try the fingerprint test to see how well it works!
Don’t Forgo the Tripod: Fluctuating weather conditions don’t always require keeping your tripod at home, especially for those sporting events and other situations where stability and positioning are critical to getting the best shots. Our new Classic Combi Tripods have sealed leg locks designed to resist moisture, sand and grit, so if you if you’re looking for a tripod that can take on any outdoor adventure, consider this one.