Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: Group Shots
1.) Coordinate. It may sound cheesy to coordinate in matching colours, but it will be worth your scepticism when you see the results. I don't want you to think, matchy-matchy shirts and pants because that is horrid. Here are some colour ideas for your group:
-Natural Colours: this works really well, really letting the faces stand out of the subjects.
-Primary Colours: I like this especially for kid groupings, but it could work on different ages as well.
-All One Colour: Tell your group beforehand to wear all wear green, pink or red-and not to worry about the shade of the colour, as that will add to the shot. Just say green, any shade of green. This works the best with a large group where there are so many shades that it really pops. If you do green, make sure to shoot outside for an added bonus of green around your subjects as well!
-In Uniform: This works if you are taking a photo of a group of ranchers, pilots, construction workers or Army men. It really shows off the faces because they will be wearing similar dress. Take care to not pose those in a uniform in a very strict pose, as it will just look like they are getting ready to march. Use different heights, some standing, some sitting. Or a pose that demonstrates their comradery, for example a shot of them all praying together, or with their arms across each other's shoulders. These guys usually go deep, try to bring that out in your shot.
2.) Think Small to Shoot Big. Sometimes a huge group of people can be really intimidating, especially when thinking of how to pose them or get them all in. If you can, think of them in segments. You can group all the kids together, or the families or whatever you are working with, but call one group up at a time pose them as if for their own shoot and keep adding additional groups. This will make for a photo that has different heights, and that is much more visually stimulating than a group of people all standing together looking confused. I would recommend only adding the kids in for some shots, and maybe doing generational shots. Bring the kids in first or last, but don't let them be there long...or you'll get grouchy faces.
3.) Posing is Everything and Then Its Not. Unless you like the look of just a blob of people standing there looking confused, pose them. Sometimes if you have them on a structure of some sort that will do the job for you. Kids sitting naturally all over a play structure( you can shoot them while they are actually playing). I have mentioned before that it is really not fun to boss and bully your subjects, and this stands true here too, but many times in order to get the little ones to cooperate (and oldest) you may need a bribe of Popsicles, brownies, or a swim in the ocean when it is all over.
Posing is also not everything because action group shots are great too. Some action shots are planned, but they can't be posed. It makes for happier people when you have their minds working on something, and happier people mean happier and better shots. There is a craze lately of the mid-air jumping shots. Also, if you set your group back 100meters from you and then just say "RUN!" the running shots are great too. I saw a wedding shot of this recently were the whole bridal party had their shoes off and was running toward the camera. It was the best shot of that wedding. If a group of ladies is sewing and you are going to take their photo, don't have them stand up and get in a blob and shoot, if they are sitting, kneel down and shoot them in what they are doing. You will get much more natural shots.
4.) Black and White is Your Friend. Because people don't want to coordinate outfits, because they don't always get the memo, because they don't like to cooperate, because one lady is wearing an obnoxious blouse, and because it really does look better: go black and white when shooting groups. I don't recommend actually taking them in black and white, but just know, if you throw a group of uncoordinated people (and or clashing colours) into Black and White you will be suprised by how much it changes for you. Also, it is whimsical, it is old fashioned, and really I think Black and White can add a lot to your group shots. So if all else fails - just make the switch.
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Palolu & Hammock
There are some things that are made to make you happy. Hammocks and Palolu (Licorice root in English) are two of those things. To just be able to hang there and suck on a sweet stick with the boys, is the perfect summer siesta time for me. Cuddled up and cozy, the hammock supporting every bit of our weight, and with the added joy of sweetness to satisfy my sweet tooth.
My mom sent the Palolu from Spain, I haven't been able to find it here. It tastes like very good and fresh black licorice, and no not the grocery store candy kind, way better. The boys share my delight in this tradition. I learned of Palolu and became enamored while growing up in Spain. It is also known there as Palodu or Palodulce, and grows by the river. We used to buy it along with other sugary delights at the local candy store. It was so fun to walk around with classmates in school all chewing on these yummy sticks.
What do you like to do on hot summer days? What about summer memories from your youth that you wish you could have back now?
For more pictures like this check out my Flickr album: Summertime Bliss
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: Work That Thing!!
1.) When you are down, low, low down, you will get some of your best shots especially of kids and animals. I try to be at the level of the being that I am taking a picture of. It looks more natural for kids to be looking straight at the camera when it is level with them, and even if they aren't looking, get down on your knees to shoot. It really does make a difference.
2.) Flash, what flash? A flash can work, but I think the ones that come with cameras (which is what many of us have) really don't work worth their existence. Forget you have it! That means, get your camera off of the setting which sets up your flash automatically. Mess with your ISO and shutter speed and ditch the flash for good. One day I will buy an expensive flash to try out, but I have heard it from the best that even those make your victims look, " like a deer in the headlights".
3.) Get Closer, there is no 6 inch rule when it comes to photography, get in close and then zoom in further. Most shots I see just don't have the detail they could because the subject you are shooting is 15 feet away! Walk right up, and then zoom the rest of the way. Your subject should fill up a large part of the picture. If there is something worth looking at around the subject, take that into account, if not, then why do you want it in your picture?
4.) Experiment! If you want to get good you have to waste time in training, it is like so much else out there: some people are naturally just good at it, but that is a rare stroke of luck and doesn't happen to most of us. The rest of us are just shooting away, hoping to capture something good, once in a while. To get good, try new things. Don't do the same spot as last time, take your camera with you and try a different location, different lighting than you are used to, try mixin' it up. If the shots don't turn out, then try again, adjust the light meter, the shutter speed, try a new angle. If you push yourself you will grow!
Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.
~Ansel Adams
Be sure to come back next Wednesday to Dreadlock Girl for some tips on Group Photo Shoots. Nothing fancy, just what I have learned so far.
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
The Corvallis Saturday Farmer’s Market
What is so great about the Farmer's Market each Saturday here in Corvallis, Oregon?
We have the street performers
Gumbo (above) is a local ( completely stunning ) band, we have seen them play at tons of different locations, and they never fail to impress and even bring the most reluctant toes to a tap. To hear Gumbo, go to the Wild Rose Artists website and click on the link to Gumbo on the bottom left, so fun for the whole family to listen to. Listen up! Enjoy.
Produce like you could never get at the grocery store
Hundreds of happy buyers
And just as many hungry eaters
The boys' favourite part when it is warm is the fountain
The perfect Saturday local adventure!
What do you like to do on weekends were you live?
For more market photos go to my flickr album: Saturday Market
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: Capture Real People, in Real Life Shots
There are so many wrong moves we make when taking shots of other people. What I love to do most is capture real people, real faces that they make, and doing what they really do. Kids play, they don't generally stand still in a dress shirt with their feet pointed slightly to the left, arms crossed, head slightly tilted, wearing what could be a plastic smile. But we try to capture that moment to keep? Sorry, but posing people unnaturally is probably my biggest nightmare. I am not a professional, I like to get real shots, I don't need to pose people, when I do have to pose them I do it so that they hardly know they are being posed. If these tips work with my 3 and 5 year-old boys it seems they would work (with slight variations) on most people.
1.) You do the work: Let your subject (victim) be while YOU do the work of moving around to get the best shot. Call it the photographer's diet-- it works for me. You are the one trying to get the good shot, so when you force your kids to do all the work, you really will get only mediocre expressions from dissatisfied subjects. Let them play, let them throw sand, let them cry...real pictures work best and they are the most memorable ones.
2.) Work (read: play) with your subject: Ask the person what their favourite thing to do is, and get pictures of them doing that. If you are taking pictures of your children you probably already know what they like to do, so instead of telling them you are going to take pictures just ask them if they want to play pirates, or if they'd like to go outside and shoot their cap guns. While they are doing it, take pictures.
3.) Don't give commands: Try as little as possible to say things like, "wait, just stay like that!" or "don't move!"...those kind of comments clue them in and they won't want to cooperate. There are moments that you would like to capture, and you can avoid sounding like you are only interested in taking pictures say things like, " I think that gun has some caps left in it" or " " do you think you can shoot the top of that tree over there?" -- again be real, this isn't about manipulation, but working with them to get a good outcome. Don't lie to get them to do what you want, but it is okay if you use your imagination. This works well for little kids. I don't have teens yet, so I'll give you tips on that when we get there.
A shot of how chaos, can be better than organization- let it be, and SHOOT!
4.) The magical window of picture perfectness: There are times when you need a specific shot and the subject just has to cooperate. These shots are rare, but still they happen. When this is the case, get your shots within an age specific amount of time. My kids are 3 and 5 years old, they can sit and look happy for about 2 minutes without touching something or acting grouchy. That means I have 2 minutes. I need to have my camera ready, have the light meter set right, and everything just set so that I can shoot pictures for that whole time. When they are done, YOU are too. Resist the urge to beg, bully, and boss them into anything once the magical window is closed. You will all have a better day.
A necessary posed shot, I gave myself about 5 seconds, the equivalent of two shots to get this one right..the little feet weren't going to stay still for long. (It was a no-nap day)
Check back every Wednesday for more Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips!!
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: The Basics
1.) Go digital this should be completely obvious, but some are probably hanging on to those dear relics of the past. Take the plunge, you will never go back.
2.) Take a ton of pictures. my photography teacher in highschool said “Take a million pictures, one is bound to turn out”. I still take a lot of pictures, and even when I think I have it I take some more. You never know what is a little out of focus or when someone has their eyes closed. If you have a camera where you can mess with the settings, mess every shot, you never know the experiments that will stun you!
3.) Know your camera. This is a big mistake, you get a camera and just start shooting, you don’t know what half the buttons are for or why your pictures are all dark or yellow. Read the manual!!! If you don’t you’ll really be missing out.
4.) Keep your camera with you always. Don’t be afraid of shooting all the time. I take my huge camera everywhere, and it is annoying to bring (and keep track of) but the images I get that I never even thought of are priceless.
5.) Don’t be shy. This one I have a hard time with, there is a fine line between shooting unobtruseively, and taking pictures and monopolizing the moment with your clicks and beeps. Be natural, let them be natural the pictures end up way better than you could have imagined. But, don’t be too shy to get your camera out at all times, I have to fend off shyness when it comes to shooting, but I don’t regret the pictures I get.
Check back on Wednesdays for more Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips!
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Heart Z Ranch, Crawfordsville Oregon.
Last weekend we went to Crawfordsville, there is so much to see on the way! I was happy to not be driving so I could hang my camera out the window for some shots off of Peoria Road. It is so pretty.
Lazy M Ranch is Brad's Grandparents ranch. His uncle John does most of the ranch stuff now though. It is really fun to go out there with the boys.
Why does food always taste better in the country? Well I think it is because you work for it!
After a good lunch we went to 'help' Uncle John load some cattle at Heart Z Ranch. He bought some little Holsteins for a friend. They are about 6 months old here.
I learned some things when we went to the ranch. Holsteins are not the kind of cows a rancher wants to buy, they are cheap and dairy cows...but are only good for hamburger meat. I didn't know that, maybe you did. Brad's uncle bought them for the lady who is on the fence in the pictures. She wants them to train stock dogs, which are dogs who herd cattle.
Info bit number two is that not all bulls have horns, and some cows have horns!Yea, Mr. Heart Z Rancher thought I was joking when I was astounded that that "black cow" in with the babes was a bull."Well, hey! I grew up in Spain, man where no bull would be caught dead without horns!" I told him, he laughed and said that many Mexican cattle have horns too, but that most American ranchers opt to breed it out, or dehorn babies- since horns can be pretty dangerous to people and to the other cattle. Every time I go I learn more, I love the whole thing.
Thanks Uncle John, it is always fun to 'hang out' and learn from you! Oh, and he gave us some Tenderloin S
teaks- yes, we are vegetarians but, only fair weather veggies as we are always willing to make exceptions. Especially for tenderloin from Knee Deep Cattle Company it is Free Range Beef, Born and raised on Oregon's lush green pastures. No added Antibiotics or Hormones. (a company based out of Eugene, Oregon!) He also gave us jerky from Knee Deep Cattle Company- the owner of the company is in the pictures above in the blue hat on the fence. She warned us, " make sure you refrigerate the jerky after opening it, as we don't use any preservatives!" I just had to laugh. " You know this will be gone before we get home, right?" I asked. "Well good!" she answered smiling.
We all worked hard, and the boys were certainly ready for some good rest at the end of the busy day.
I would love to live in the country. And I love jerky. I love Oregon.
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