May 2, 2008
Photo Envy
Many of my bloggin’ friends take these professional-quality photos of their kids. It seems like everyone except me knows how to take a good picture! What’s the secret? Anyway, I decided I need a LOT more practice, so I got the camera out and started shooting. I even did the artsy black-and-white thing. Now that I think about it, there’s something about black-and-white photos that makes it look like you know what you’re doing. Maybe that’s the secret. And I’ve noticed it’s ok to cut off heads sometimes. Especially if it’s black-and-white—it looks like you did it on purpose because you’re an artist and you don’t have to follow the rules.
Anyway, here’s my feeble attempt at photo art. Constructive criticism welcome.
Comments(12)
I love the first one!! I think the trick is just to take a million pictures – that way, you have to get a few good ones, right? =) The joy of owning a digital camera…
Jill’s right. More pictures = more chances for success. One thing I’ve found is to capture the kids doing what they do naturally. Don’t try to make them pose. That ruins it. When mine were little, I kept the camera up on a shelf in the living room so I’d have it at a minute’s notice! Haha!
Those are so cute and you’re so funny:) A good camera is KEY!!! We have a Canon Rebel, pricey but man we’ve definitely got our money out of it. We also invested in a King size black sheet:) We spent quite a bit of money when Parker turned one and had pics of him and Andrew made and when I saw all the photographer did I thought, “man, I could do that”. So we got a good camera, black sheet and started looking at photographer websites to get pic ideas:)
Jenny–how do you print your black and white photos? Mine look bluish, even though I told it to print in grayscale. Any tips?
I send all of my pics to shutterfly.com. You have to wait a few days to get them but they do a great job and it’s not really expensive. Anytime I’ve taken them to Wal-Mart, they don’t turn out near as good and I don’t have ink in my printer:) so Shutterfly is what I use.
Those are great pictures! No need for photo envy!
As soon as my kids are able to lift their heads up, I’ve found the best shots are at their level – meaning I’m laying on the floor with the camera on the ground. It helps because the picture are less likely to be blurry due to me moving. I also like to take pictures when there’s enough natural daylight. Their skin tone just looks so much better to me. Hope that helps!
I think you are doing great! I took a photo class at UCA last semester. Some neat ideas were: shooting at a different angle, getting REAL close, and trying the “rule of thirds” (making your subject appear in one third of the frame. I think playing around has helped me the most. Have fun!
I’m going to have to try the black & white thing! These pics are great!!
Your pics are going to be great because your subject is sooooooo cute! I went to the same class Becke went to and learned a lot. It was a great Christmas present that keeps on giving…it just made me want the really souped up camera way before I could get it!
Casie and Becke–
Was the class you took from their “Continuing Education” program that they send out brochures about? I’ve thought about taking that.
Yes, Mike Kemp was the instructor… he is great!
Yes, Mike was the guy. Great class, but beware, you will want the big expensive stuff when it is all said and done!