Getting Ready to Shoot the Fourthby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 19 Jun 2008 10:45 PM It doesn't get more American than a Fourth of July BBQ with friends, family and fireworks. The ultimate summertime holiday is teeming with amazing photo ops from flags to family reunions, parades to pie eating contests. It would be a shame not to make the most of these Independence Day events. So grab your camera, charge up those batteries, go out and splurge on a new memory card (or extra rolls of film) and get ready to snap your loved ones in action as they proudly celebrate our country's 232nd birthday. Fourth of July Parade I addressed the challenges involved in shooting a parade in a previous blog, but some of them bear repeating. First of all, photo obstacles can be successfully hurdled with a little bit of planning. After all, why would you want to pass up the chance to snap shots of Americana in motion? The flags, fire trucks, and floats make for fabulous photos. As do the red, white, and blue decorations that line city streets and the patriotic parade participants and observers. Don't hold back. Photo subjects are ripe for the picking at parades. Capture the entire scene---take candid shots of your family; miniature American flags clutched by the tiny hands of excited children; your kid playing the flute in one of the marching bands; or a close up of a veteran's well worn face. The images will look great in frames hung around your home or as a multi-page spread in your scrapbook. Fourth of July Picnic If your Fourth of July plans include hosting or attending a good old fashioned American BBQ then don't miss out on the opportunity to snap some keepers there either. Parties or other holiday gatherings such as family reunions provide great opportunities for shooting candid shots. Snap happy parents should be aiming their cameras at kids playing in the yard, swimming in the pool or running through the sprinkler. Remember to take a few photos of the guys manning the grills, the girls sipping tea in the shade, grandpa holding the newest member of the family under a tree, or the dog sporting a red, white and blue bandana around his neck. Also, snap some shots of the Fourth of July spread including grandma's legendary potato salad and Aunt Sue's traditional flag shaped Cool-Whip cake. Any of the images would look great in your scrapbook or on the front of next year's party invitations. Look for tips on how to photograph fireworks displays in my next blog. Related Articles: Tips for Taking Memorable Vacation Photos What To Do With All Those (Digital) Vacation Photos Knowing When to Zoom and Other Photo Tips Getting Your Kids to Smile... for the Camera More Tips On Photographing Newborn Babies Photography Potpourri----NO To "Cheese" and YES to Hats Telling A Story With Your Shots More Common Sense Tips To Capturing A Frame-Worthy Picture Common Sense Tips To Capturing Frame-Worthy Pictures Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantphotography tags User Comments tangerinelullaby (553) 20 Jun 2008 04:46 AMI always hear great stories from friends and relatives from the US about 4th of July. I especially would love to see fireworks in the sky. Most of what we have here (if it's on a new year's day are mostly firecrackers that scares the sh*t out of me---sorry for the word). I would like to celebrate an occasion without the need to play with this scary firecrackers. Sorry for rambling lol. ^__^ Have a nice barbeque or picnic on the fourth of July! -Yvie http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com  Michele Cheplic |
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