Category Archives: tips

More Photo Tips – a better point & shoot picture

Okay – the subject matter is quite amusing but it was the best way to get the K-Bear to pose for a picture. Her tongue was green from the freezer pop I gave her so I said “stick out your tongue for a picture” – and it worked!

I hope these tips are helpful for somebody out there. I just like to share because I thought the information was valuable when I learned it so maybe it will help someone else. And, it’s good to know that you can take really cute pictures with a simple point & shoot camera – if you know a few tricks.

So, for this episode of “photo tips” you get to look at my daughter’s enormous green tongue. These two pictures are straight out of the camera. I took them with my Canon SD870IS (point & shoot camera). We are right next to the window and the first picture is with the flash and the second picture is without. I thought it would be cool to illustrate how different a picture can look with/without a flash. The camera is still in AUTO mode so you don’t have to be an expert or anything – just turn your flash off. Notice the one on the left is much sharper (because the flash “freezes” any motion) but it’s harsh and un-natural looking – and there is a shadow around the right side of her head. In the second picture you can see some blur around her legs (because the shutter speed is slower without the flash) but I think it’s worth it to capture a more natural color and feel for the picture.

Another thing I like to recommend is GET CLOSER! Most point & shoot cameras have a very wide angled lens – which means they push your subject further away than they already are. So move in – fill the frame – and get a great picture!

Lastly – don’t be afraid to tilt your camera a little to get a different angle. Play with it – your pictures will be more unique and interesting.

As always, you can click on it to see it better. Enjoy the GREEN MONSTER!

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Interesting Tidbits….

I’ve been meaning to do this for a while – so here goes…..

Some cool stuff for my clients:

People are always asking about cool stuff (clothes/props/etc) for pictures so I thought I would share:

The cool hat / beanie in a couple of my recent pictures is from the Portland Beanie Company. I bought the 3-6 month size “Flapper” style brown beanie with the pink flower. I TOTALLY plan to buy more in different styles and colors because they are sooooo cute and well made.

I also just got a really cute tu-tu that I haven’t used yet – but it will be perfect for the 6 month to one-year-old crowd. I found it at a local festival and the company is called All Sweet Bowtique. They also sell really cute hair bows (although I’m not a big fan of large hair bows for pictures).

If you are in the market for some frames – for all those pictures you got from me (wink-wink) – some of my favorites are:

The Red Envelope Gallery Frame Sets

The Modular Photo Wall Frame Collection – from Exposures Online

The Double Matted Frames – from Picture This Framed. I like these because you can mix larger photos in one frame (ie: an 8×10 with (2) 5×7)

For my photographer friends out there (or those interested in photography)……

Here’s what’s “in my bag”:

First – this is MY BAG and I love it!

The Beast (as I fondly call it) Canon 30D SLR
Lenses:
Current Favorite: 24-70mm 2.8L
Second Favorite: 50mm 1.4
Third Favorite: 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS
I also have a GREAT flash that I never use since I use all natural light. Maybe someday…..

I took some GREAT classes at the Showcase School of Photography. Digital 101 (in the one-day format and the 6 week format), Digital 102, People Photography, Photoshop CS2.

Some great Photoshop Actions that I use A LOT can be found here:
Kevin Kubota Image Tools – I have the production tools and the Artistic Tools Volume 2
Totally Rad Action Set – Boutwell Studios

Actions are a great way to do a simple boost to your images (brighten color and sharpen a digital image) as well as lots of other fun stuff if you have the time…..

And finally – a photographer blog that I LOVE to read – and I can’t wait to take one of their classes: The Image Is Found Photo Blog. It’s a husband/wife team and they shoot mainly with wide angled lenses. Their style is completely different from mine – but it’s so fun!

I think that’s enough to keep everyone busy for now……. so I’ll end with a picture……

Bath Time…..

For the photographers out there – this was shot in the bathroom (no windows) at 24mm focal length, f-stop 2.8 and ISO 1600. I used one of my cool black and white actions to convert it from color and wah-lah!
If anyone out there has questions or thoughts about anything, feel free to leave a comment….. :) Is there anyone out there???????

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