Search Results for: blog tips to remember when shooting indoors

Shooting Manual: Spot Metering

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In some situations, traditional matrix metering will give you great results. Matrix metering tends to be the default mode for most cameras. As long as your scene is evenly lit, it will work great. The camera’s light meter will look at the whole picture and determine what the correct exposure should be. The exposure will be incorrect, however, when there are areas of intense white or black in the photo. For example, if you take a picture in front of a window or other bright light source, your picture will end up underexposed. If you take a picture in front … Continue reading →

Tips to Remember When Shooting Indoors

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when shooting indoors is lighting. In your initial assessment of a room consider whether you will be using available natural light or your flash. Ideally you want to flood the room with as much natural light as possible. If the room has multiple windows open them to allow the natural light in. In the best-case scenario you will be able to fill the room with enough light so that you don’t have to use your flash. By eliminating the flash you’ll find your shots will not have those annoying orange … Continue reading →

More Tips for Winter Photo Shoots

If you live anywhere near the Upper Midwest portion of the United States then I’m sure you would agree that Old Man Winter has hung around long enough. During the last four months we have been hammered with snowstorm after snowstorm; endured brutal wind chills and chipped off more layers of ice than most Alaskans do in a lifetime. Still, there are times when I have peered out my bedroom window and wished I was hearty enough to brave the elements in order to capture some frameworthy winter scenes. Alas, I have not made good on my New Year’s resolution … Continue reading →

Tips for Improving Your Shots

If you are spending more time deleting your photos on your digital camera than you are printing them out perhaps it’s time for a photography refresher course. Look over your most recent shots and figure out what is keeping you… from keeping them. Is it bad composition? Poor lighting? Or is your photo subject possessed with the dreaded red-eye? In most cases a bad shot can turn into a keeper by following a few simple pointers: COMPOSITION Remember the “Rule of Thirds.” It’s one of the most important lessons in photography, which requires you to imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over … Continue reading →

Tips for Taking Memorable Vacation Photos

If you think I am a snap happy parent at home you should see me on vacation. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture frameworthy shots of your family in memorable locations. All you need to do is remember some basic rules. The following are tips are ones I try to employ when I’m trying capture Kodak moments on the road: TELL A STORY I’ve written about this technique in previous blogs, but I find it is even more critical when shooting vacation photos. Before pointing and shooting think about how your photos will look when you … Continue reading →

DIY Kids’ Photography

In a previous post I shared my excitement about scoring a manager’s special coupon to Sears Portrait Studio. I was told that I would be saving hundreds of dollars by booking a session to get my daughter’s photos taken—-so I did. Turns out, I didn’t save hundreds of dollars. In fact, whatever I saved, I ended up spending in order to purchase extra prints for various family members and friends. I’m pretty sure Sears planned it that way. That’s okay, though, I knew the coupon was incentive to book the session, and the employees at our local portrait studio didn’t … Continue reading →

Get Ready for Grad Shots

If I were graduating from high school or college this month, a Nikon D7000 would be at the top of my gift wish list. Did you know that graduates can now register for gifts at select stores much the same way expectant parents sign-up for baby shower presents? Man, do I feel old… and poor… and envious. Whining aside, graduation is fast approaching for millions of students around the world. If some are fortunate enough to score Nikon’s latest and greatest DSLR, then their post-commencement photos will likely be as stunning as a new diploma. However, I have a feeling … Continue reading →

Using Window Light For Portraits

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Did you know you can create professional looking portraits without expensive studio equipment? It’s true, there are many natural light photographers out there who choose to use natural light for its beautiful appearance. There are some critics out there who will criticize anyone who calls themselves a natural light photographer, saying that they simply don’t know how to use studio lighting, but that is an unfair assumption. Recreating the look of natural light with artificial lighting is extremely expensive and it is not portable! I love using window light because I’ve never met a client who didn’t have a window. … Continue reading →

Let There Be Light

Lighting is critical in photography. With the right light decent subjects become extraordinary images, regardless of whether you are shooting indoors or out. There are pros and cons to shooting inside and outside, and most of the issues involve lighting. Pictures taken indoors with existing daylight are often pleasing because they feature soft diffused light, and you don’t have to worry about your subjects squinting. The key to shooting indoors is to open all the windows and doors in the room to get the highest level of illumination possible. Next, pose your subjects to allow the natural light to fall … Continue reading →

Red-Eye Reducers

You don’t have to drop a bundle to buy a fancy digital camera with a built-in red-eye reduction feature in order to eliminate demonic-looking photos. If your camera doesn’t come with red-eye reduction capabilities, then follow these tips to avoid the unattractive red glow that is caused when a camera’s flash reflects off of a person’s retina: Lighting: One of the best ways to reduce red-eye is to flood your shooting area with as much natural light as possible. By doing so, you can reduce the need to employ your camera’s flash. Shooting outdoors is preferable; just remember to avoid … Continue reading →