Search Results for: blog spicing up your shots

Spice Up Your Halloween Story

When it comes down to it, a scrapbook layout is really an adventure in storytelling. Photos, embellishments, memorabilia, captions and journaling all help recount a special memory and preserve it for years to come. With Halloween just around the corner, now is the time to start strategizing holiday layouts. Consider how you want to tell the tale of your All Hallows’ Eve festivities. For example, if you want to put an emphasis on photos rather than write out lengthy journaling blocks, consider spicing up the shots by taking them from unique angles. Experiment with some extreme close ups and or … Continue reading →

Spice Up Summer Layouts

With much of the country baking in record high temperatures this summer, the name of the game is cooling off. Whether you seek comfort at the pool, in a backyard sprinkler or at the beach, lake or pond, don’t forget to take your camera so you can document the dog days of the season. According to some meteorologists, this summer could be one for the record books in terms of high temperatures. You can add this fast fact to your summer scrapbook along with shots of your family frolicking in the sand and surf. Then, to enhance the theme, consider … Continue reading →

Spicing Up Holiday Memories

Confession: I just finished printing out all the photos I snapped on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Sure, Easter is right around the corner, but that’s how I roll these days. Typically, I let my pictures sit in my camera until I have a need to print them out. And by need I mean receiving a phone call from my mom (who happens to live 5,000 miles away) asking for pictures of her one and only granddaughter. With that kind of guilt motivating me, I was not only inspired to print out my holiday photos, but I also used them … Continue reading →

Are You Filling Your Frame?

Tis the season to be snapping photos you want to feature on your holiday greeting. But how do you capture the money shot when your family refuses to cooperate? After all, crying kids and disinterested dogs don’t make for a joyous photo presentation. You are on your own getting your kids to sit for a family portrait; however, I have tips on making the most of the photo op once you are able to wrangle your pint-sized subjects in front of the Christmas tree. For starters, when you are photographing a young child it pays to get as close as … Continue reading →

Spicing Up Portrait Shots

Did you know Santa is taking reservations for portrait shots right now? According to an email I received from my local mall (on the day after Halloween), my young daughter can be one of the first to pose with St. Nick in all of his holiday splendor. You know, just in case we want to bypass the crowds that wind through the mall post-Black Friday. Needless to say, I didn’t respond to the offer. In fact, I’m not sure I will be featuring any traditional portrait shots in our family’s annual Christmas greeting this year. This summer I saw a … Continue reading →

Softening the Look of Your Shots

You don’t need to drain your wallet purchasing a high-end DSLR and loads of expensive accessories in order to snap photos with a soft appearance. The eye-pleasing look can be achieved by following these simple tips: Manipulate Light: When it comes to capturing images with a soft appearance, lighting is a major factor. Before you start shooting, adjust the brightness of your camera’s flash so it won’t cause harsh shadows on your subject’s face. One trick is to combine a soft flash with natural light to create a smooth, soft look. Another option is to use a light diffuser. Whether … Continue reading →

Stepping up to SLR

If you have been dreaming of upgrading from a basic point-and-shoot camera to an advanced digital SLR, but didn’t think you could afford the move, now is the time to act. During the fall, camera manufacturers roll out new SLR models and phase out older versions. Consequently, you can snag amazing deals on SLR cameras, though you’ll have to wade through a flood of options in order to find the one that suits your shooting needs. For those of you looking to upgrade to a fancier camera, SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. Basically, the camera is designed to allow … Continue reading →

Enhancing Scenery Shots

You can shoot RAW images rather than JPG, include movement and find a focal point, but those are not the only ways to enhance scenery shots. When taking photos of sweeping vistas and gorgeous landscapes, timing and lighting are key. Since you are shooting in the great outdoors, you are at nature’s mercy for the bulk of your lighting. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to know that it is not wise to shoot outside at high noon on a cloudless day. Doing so will yield images riddled with harsh shadows. Instead, aim to take scenery shots during … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Spooky Shots

Halloween pictures don’t have to only include trick-or-treaters and pumpkins. If you are looking to add some mystery to your All Hallows’ Eve photos, then look to the sky. The moon phase for Halloween 2011 is Waxing Crescent which means you won’t have a full sphere to document. Still, the light from a Crescent moon will easily help to cast an eerie glow on your holiday subjects. However, before you shoot at the sky, consider that there is a distance of approximately 240,000 miles between you and the moon. Unless you have special equipment you probably won’t be able to … Continue reading →

Challenge Yourself

SLR cameras are expensive, so it pays to make the most of all of their features. However, if you are upgrading from a standard point-and-shoot camera, then you might need some incentive to challenge yourself to experiment. Unless you are trying to profit from your passion, pushing yourself to use your camera to its fullest potential takes some encouragement. My advice is to look around at all of the subjects you can capture creatively with your picture-taking tool, and then work on your skills. For example, a trip to a nature preserve yields incredible photo opportunities. Professional photographers can make … Continue reading →