What Does Photography Mean to You?

I'm watching Rick Sammon on Creative Live and he asked the question, "What does photography mean to you?"   Photography to me, is a way to be creative, it also allows me to capture memories of my children and I love the joy I feel when I photograph all those happy smiles. 

Rick goes on to give a challenge.  Whatever photography means to you, capture that.  So for me it would be a picture of creativity, memories and smiles.  The picture below is something different for me.  I usually always have a nice even light on the face but I wanted to experiment with the light.  Here is what I captured. What do you think?  My advice, don't be afraid to experiment.  That's how we grow as a photographer.

Whenever I'm taking pictures I'm always looking for that smile.  Not that fake cheese smile but the real, genuine smile.  My advice, don't ask your kids to say cheese.  Talk with them, tell them jokes, act silly. 



Here is my challenge to you.  What does photography mean to you?  Then capture that.  I would love to see what you come up with.

Keep clicking,
Nickie

The Golden Spiral

I love it when I learn new things.  Especially when it comes to photography.  Yesterday, I took my daughter to Target and snapped some shots in the red circle.  When I was editing the image below I noticed I had unintentionally used the Golden Spiral.

What is the Golden Spiral?  Well, I could tell you a long mathematical explanation, but it's so much easier to say that it's a formula to make you picture look more pleasing.  See diagram below.  Image provided by wikipedia.



That's why pictures of shells, flowers and staircases look so nice to the eye.  I'll be explaining this more in my class.  This is just one of the many composition rules I teach.  Click on the Photography Class tab for more class info.  Have any other photography questions then just shoot me an email.

Keep Clicking,
Nickie

Photo Tip Friday #4, Try a new perspective

As a photographer, I'm always looking at the background.  Is there something distracting? Or how can I use the background to enhance a picture. One of my favorite things to do is bluer out the background like the pictures below.  You do this by setting your aperture to a low number.  Mine was at F2.8.  

See how the yellow flowers have blurred and the girls just pop out?  I love it!  Recently, I've noticed that I've been using a lot of the same perspectives.  One day, I was watching a video by one of my favorite photographers, Brooke Snow. In her video she included the foreground in her photo.  It dawned on me, that I don't do that much and a new perspective is what I needed.  I love this next picture.

 I included the flowers in the foreground and blurred them out.   I love the effect and texture it gives the picture.  It makes the girls look like their being swallowed up by a field of flowers.  Now, not only am I looking at the background but also focusing on the foreground.  The foreground can really enhance your picture.  Give it a try!

Keep clicking,
Nickie

Unexpected Moments {Photography Tips for Moms}

I was right in the middle of making lunch when I looked over and saw all the kids around their older brother listening to a story.  I didn't want the food to burn but I couldn't past this moment up.  Photographing your children can be "unexpected" you never know when they are going to do something you're going to want to remember.  And it always seems to be right when you're in the middle of something.  Here's a few tips to help you be ready for those unexpected moments.

Be an observer.  As a mother, I know how crazy busy your days can be.  But I also know that you're great at multi-tasking.  So while you answering phone calls, preparing meals and changing diapers observe your kids more closely.  What is it about this stage in their life do you want to remember?  What are some of their favorite activities?   When you see them doing that grab your camera.

Always have your camera charged up and close by.  If you can have two batteries.  One in your camera and the other fully charged.  This way when one dies you can quickly change out the battery.  I went to a photography workshop once and forgot my one battery I had.  Luckily someone had an extra battery for me to borrow.  Lesson learned!

Get your camera ready before you kids see it.  I've learned to be very stealth when taking pictures of my kids.   I set my ISO, apeture and shutter speed before I bring out my camera.  This way all I have to do is point and shoot.  I can usually get a few good pictures before I hear, "Oh, mom not again."

Refuse to say cheese.  In the picture above I would have lost all the emotion of my kids if I had interrupted them and asked them to say cheese.  By observing  I was able to capture a great moment when they are ALL getting along.  Even if only for a few minutes.

This week look for those unexpected moments.   Observe your kids more closely, have you camera charged, get it ready before hand and refuse to say, "Cheese."  Please let me know if this was helpful and don't hesitate to email with questions or share your pictures.  I would love to see them. 

Keep Clicking,
Nickie

PS,
If ISO, apeture and shutter speed are confusing.  I teach group or one-on-one photography classes.  Email me for details.