| Art has its own way of speaking, and each artist | | | | delete a few extra pictures that didn't quite work |
| interprets it in their own way. To be able to truly | | | | than to go back and take a few more candid shots. |
| figure out your personal interpretation of the art of | | | | Once a moment passes you can't get it back, no |
| photography, here are a few tips that will enable you | | | | matter how many poses you try, it won't look |
| to discover different facets of your own | | | | candid. Don't worry about what others think about |
| photography personality. | | | | you taking so many pictures. If you want the perfect |
| | | | picture, you have to be willing to make the effort |
| 1. After each of the formal shots you take, keep on | | | | and continuous shooting mode helps you get there. |
| secretly taking pictures. No matter if you are taking | | | | 5. Get them laughing. Ever had someone you are |
| wedding shots, engagements or family portraits, once | | | | trying to take a picture of that is way too uptight |
| they think you are done taking the picture they start | | | | and tense? Getting them to relax can be a real chore. |
| to relax and let their personalities show. These can | | | | So what do you do? Make them laugh. If they are |
| be some of the best shots you take, and often are | | | | alone in the picture start making fun of yourself or |
| the ones that your clients like the most. You may | | | | telling jokes. If these are engagement pictures or |
| hear something to the effect of "When did you take | | | | group pictures get someone else to randomly start |
| that?" but the smile on their faces will be more than | | | | tickling the person who is too tense. Bring laughter |
| enough to let you know that they love it. | | | | and fun into the atmosphere and they'll be able to be |
| 2. If you can't get your subject to smile naturally, | | | | themselves. |
| start smiling at them. It's hard for someone to set | | | | 6. Make a list of what shots you want to take. This |
| out of the persona of that school book picture smile. | | | | is not a tip to make you feel like a nerd carrying |
| They have that forced thing they plaster on instead | | | | around a checklist and snapping pictures. Instead, it's |
| of a smile. Plus, its hard just to smile naturally when | | | | to make sure you get all you want, even when you |
| you don't find anything to smile about. So when you | | | | get stressed or distracted by all that's going on |
| find your subject can't move past that forced look, | | | | around you. Before you ever go to event, stop and |
| start smiling at them and they will relax into a real | | | | write down which shots you absolutely must take. |
| genuine smile. | | | | That way you'll have them firmly in your head and |
| 3. Use the flash indoors and out. The most common | | | | written down in case you forget. Again, once a |
| use for a flash is when there isn't enough light. But | | | | moment (or event) is past you can't go back for just |
| the flash can be used for so much more than that. It | | | | one more shot. |
| is a good way to get rid of those pesky shadows | | | | 7. Play around with your subject's place in the picture. |
| under the eyes when you are outdoors in the middle | | | | The straightforward, middle of the picture, face front |
| of the day. Sure there is plenty of light for | | | | look has been done. In fact, that was the only way it |
| everywhere else in the picture but they'll all look like | | | | was done in portraits when photography first started |
| they have black eyes without the flash. The flash | | | | out. Now we have moved more towards creativity |
| can be used inside and outside, day or night, as the | | | | and angles. One thing to try would be to have your |
| only light source or a preventative measure against | | | | subject's eye line be slightly above the center of the |
| unwanted shadows. | | | | picture. You can make photography a more alluring |
| 4. Don't be shy about using the continuous shooting | | | | art through the way you position your subject in the |
| mode. With candid shots it's almost required to use | | | | picture. |
| the continuous shooting mode. It is always easier to | | | | |