Erin - Angles

I finally took the pictures yesterday when we had a few rare sun breaks. :)

Most people who take pictures just stand up right where they are and take a picture. I should have taken a picture of what that looks like, but I didn't. Anyway, they don't get down on the level of the child. Also, they take one picture, and then they are done. Most "professional" photographers take tons of pictures. They also check out all the possibilities. It is a good practice to look at the different angles available to you. Don't simply take a few pictures of the same pose at the same angle and then sit down. Do a walk around. Here are some examples.

This is your typical angle. Straight on. Cammie is facing the window. We usually want our child to look up at us and smile. When I look at this picture, it makes me feel like someone is in room. Does that make any sense? It makes me feel like she is looking at me, and not paying attention to the book. Oh, and also notice that because I have her directly facing the window, there are not a lot of soft shadows. Great lighiting don't get me wrong but not as "artistic" as it could be.

I did not edit this picture. It is a little dark. Anyway, this picture is still taken straight on, but I moved the coffee table she was sitting on so that the window was to her right. The difference in lighting creates a different feel. Notice that she is not looking at me either. I am letting her read the book. To me, this picture feels like no one is in the room but her. I don't feel like anyone else is involved....kind of like I am photographing a private moment. I am just bringing this to everyone's attention because we sometimes forget to take these types of pictures.

I changed my angle a little bit again. I am not exactly at eye level because I wanted to get more of the book in the picture.

I am standing right above her. She looks sad in the picture, but usually, I kind of like this angle. I edited this picture. It was the first one I did. Then I decided that I wasn't going to edit any more pictures. It would take too long. I would go back and get the color version, but I am too lazy. :)

Last is the angle where I was looking up at her (tummy shot). On kids, it is not so bad, but on adults, it is not as flattering. I think in portrait work, you don't want to do this very often...unless the subject is really young or super skinny. Anyway, just something to think about.

Michelle Window Lighting- Finally

I'm sorry this has taken so long to post. I got it done right away but just haven't been able to take a minute to sit down and post it. I learned a lot from this exercise and only hope to absorb and actually use what I learned. Thanks so much for doing this, Erin.

So this first pictures is of Sydney with the door shut and just the camera flash. I couldn't find good window light in my house, I always struggle with that, so I just opened the front door and did it right next to it. I learned I really don't like camera flash as sole lighting source. I already knew that though. :) But it is a good reminder. You can see the super harsh shadow behind her and she is a bit washed out. On some of the other pictures you could see a big glare in the wood behind her. This one you can't see the eyes well, but others had that yucky flash eye thing going on too. So good reminder- flash lighting not my favorite.

Next one is the door open with flash lighting as well. In this one the flash shadow isn't quite as harsh. She may have been a little too close to the wood but it can be tricky not only to have kids cooperate but also to get the background, lighting, and space to all work out well.

And last is the just with the front door open and no flash. I definitely like the lighting much better. No wash-out on the skin, no harsh shadows behind her. It's interesting to even just look at the wood behind her and see the change in color. The only thing I think I would have changed was to face her a little more towards the door so I could see more of the catch-light in her eyes. They aren't 'dead' but I think they could use a tad bit more. Again, getting everything perfect while working with a kid is a bit difficult. But overall, this is my favorite.

Thanks again Erin. I am really learning while doing this. Now off to the next one. I am excited about angles. I can't wait. Even though they are my favorite, I am trying to decide if I want to do a person who wiggles and moves or a object that stays put. :)

Here is a plug for Mona if she is reading. That hat is from our favorite thrift store. I think I paid maybe $2 or $3 for it. Gotta love that.

Week #2 - Angles

Oops! The week is almost over. ;)

This week we are still going to focus on window light; however, we are going to add "angles" to the assignment. Try and do something similar to what you did before; however, this time move around your subject. You should take AT LEAST ten pictures. Take a picture while on your tummy, get on a chair and have your subject look up at you, and then move all around your subject. Don't forget that you should not be looking down at them at all during this. Okay...well, except for the chair and tummy shots I just mentioned. Your lens should be at the same level as their eyes. Take a picture at every angle you can think of. Then post your favorite three. I will try and do this right away so you know what I am talking about.

Don't forget that the time of day you take the picture at makes a difference too. You don't even need to pick up the camera to start noticing the light that is coming into your house. My favorite light comes in the morning through my bedroom doors. My second favorite light comes right as the sun is setting through our living room windows. So this week, keep noticing what the light is doing inside your home.

Nathan - Window Lighting

Window Lighting

Flash Only

Connie - Window Lighting

A quick reminder that everyone's monitor displays things differently. What looks one way on my monitor will look another way on yours. Something might look too dark or blown out on different monitors. I just want to remind everyone of that. So if something doesn't look quite right to you about another person's picture, it might be the differences in monitors.

I edited this picture and turned it into black and white. I really like this photo! You did a great job. You should be proud! The lighting is great! This is a hang it on your wall type photo. Not very many people take these types of photos. They turn on the flash, and it gets rid of those shadows.

I have three suggestions.

1. This picture is a "close up" picture, but I would try getting even closer. I would zoom in on her face using the zoom of your camera (don't physically get closer).

2. I would also try and get down on her level a little bit more. I understand that it might cut off part of her face, but then at that point you could try and get her to raise her head a little bit by putting her hands under her cheeks or pushing down the leg of the stuffed animal.

3. Can you see the light in her one eye? That to me is really pretty, and it is one of my favorite things about using window light; however, the other eye is a "dead" eye. There is no reflection in the other eye. I get plenty of those....actually, Cammie's eyes are "dead" in the picture I just posted! To fix that problem you might have to reposition her a little bit so that her eyes are facing the window a bit more.

These are some suggestions, but I find that sometimes...okay...most of the time, my kids won't cooperate, and so I just take what I can get!

Again, I think you should be very proud of your first post! I can't wait to see what you are taking in a couple of months. You have a good eye.

Connie Window Lighting

I tried this exercise several times over several days and just didn't feel like I was getting it right! I had the kids right next to the window the first few times and couldn't tell any difference in the pictures. I finally did it away from the window, just using the light and this is what I came up with. The differences are very subtle, but now that Erin posted and I know what I'm looking for, it makes it easier to see. Well, here goes:

1. Window light only. I had a bed to my back and couldn't back up anymore to try making the back blurry, but I do like the shadows.

2. Window light with flash. I couldn't tell if the flash was really going off or if my camera was 'thinking' for itself and not allowing the flash to do its job. Either way, I can't tell much about this picture.

3. Flash only. I can definitely tell that she is washed out with just the flash.

Erin - Window Lighting

Remember that this is not a contest or anything like that. We are all trying to become better photographers. Don't be afraid to post pictures!

1. Only Window Light. What I like about natural lighting is the shadows it creates. They are usually soft. We do want shadows in our pictures just not harsh ones that an on camera flash creates. This isn't a great picture to see the eyes, but usually a window creates a beautiful reflection in the eye. Cammie's eyes are what I call "dead" in this picture. That is one thing I don't like about this particular photo.

3. Flash Only. To me, this is not a very good picture. These types of pictures are great for the scrapbook, but not for the wall. ;) One of the first things I notice about this picture is the harsh shadow the flash created in the background. Another thing I notice is that there aren't very many shadows in her face. She just looks mostly white to me. Also, the dots in her eyes (created by the flash) are noticeable to me. I prefer the look the window creates in the eyes.

2. Window Light and Flash. I need to take that one tomorrow. I forgot to do this one for Cammie. :) I did take some of Kate though. This type of picture is better than just a flash, but I think that the on camera flash still ruined the picture. It got rid of the soft shadows in the face. I couldn't see the harsh outline in the background as much, but I could still a shadow. The eyes looked pretty much the same. The only addition was the dot created from the flash. It was barely noticeable next to the reflection from the window though. I still prefer just window lighting, but it was still better than just the on camera flash!

Week #1: Window Lighting

The purpose of this week's assignment is to learn to turn off the flash during the day indoors...if possible! Look around your house for already existing light. One good place to start is near the windows. Place your subject facing the window or to the side of the window.

There are a few things to remember before taking any picture.

1. Remove any clutter from the background. You don't want anyone's eye to be draw to what is laying around in the other parts of the picture.
2. Get in close. Step back and zoom in if you can. This will help blur your background and give it a more professional look.
3. Get down on their level. Unless it is the look you want, the lense should be at eye level with your subject.
4. Don't be afraid to take LOTS of pictures.

In order to see the difference between a picture taken with the flash and one without, do the following:

1. Take several pictures without the flash on. You might need to put your camera on a tripod, a table, or anything that will help you steady your camera.
2. Take a "fill" flash picture. Turn on your flash and take a picture with the window light still there.
3. Close the blinds and remove the window light as much as possible. Take a few pictures with only the flash

After you are done with this, post your favorite picture from each one. So there should be three pictures...window lighting only, window lighting plus flash, and flash only.