Take Professional Quality Pictures of Your Children

With the growing popularity of digital cameras and photo printers, more people than ever before are focusing on their families for the next great photo opportunity. As you might expect, children consistently appear at the top of the list as one of the most photographed subjects in today’s family photo album.

This article is intended to help you take better photos of children. To begin, we will examine two aspects of photography that have the greatest effect on the overall quality of your photos: photo equipment and photo composition. Let’s start with the equipment – specifically the camera.

I. Photo Equipment: Point and Shoot vs. D-SLR Cameras

Until recently, digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) cameras tended to be more expensive and harder to use than point and shoot cameras. Accordingly, D-SLR cameras have traditionally been used only by professional photographers. However, as more and more companies enter the digital camera market, D-SLR camera prices have dropped significantly. In fact, some D-SLR cameras cost less than many point and shoot models. Furthermore, with the creative use of LCD screens and graphical interfaces, D-SLR cameras are now easier to use than ever before. With price becoming less of a deciding factor, it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each type.

D-SLR Cameras

Key Advantages of D-SLR Cameras

• Higher Quality Pictures: Instead of film, all digital cameras utilize an electronic image sensor. Compared to point and shoot models, D-SLR cameras utilize a larger sensor which ultimately results in a better image quality.
• Fast Operation: With digital point and shoot cameras, you have to wait for the camera to finish focusing before you can actually take a picture. In some cases, this may result in a missed photo opportunity. With a D-SLR camera, you can take multiple pictures without any detectable delay.
• Rapid Auto Focus: Digital SLR cameras have lightning fast auto-focus features. This can be invaluable when taking pictures of a fast moving activity such as kids playing a sport. D-SLR cameras also enable you to capture a series of fast-action shots by simply holding the button down.
• Interchangeable Lenses: With a D-SLR camera, you can select from an infinite variety of specialized lenses and filters to handle an infinite array of photographic opportunities. For example, you might use one type of lens for capturing a sporting event and another for taking portraits.
• The Ability to Capture Challenging Images: D-SLR cameras enable you to fine tune the degree of exposure by setting ISO levels and shutter speeds. This, in turn, allows you to take photos in low light or capture fast moving objects, such as a flying bird or a race car.
  Disadvantages of D-SLR Cameras:
• Larger, Heavier Bodies and Lenses: Compared to most point and shoot models, D-SLR cameras are bulky, weigh more, and require you to carry a special bag to hold extra lenses and other accessories. In many situations, this extra baggage can become surprisingly troublesome.
• No Live LCD Preview: With a D-SLR camera, you must look through the viewfinder to take a photo. Unlike point and shoot cameras, D-SLR cameras do not come with a separate LCD screen that shows a preview of the photo you are about to take.
• Dust: D-SLR cameras are prone to dust particles getting on the lenses as well as on the image sensor. As a result, they need to be maintained regularly, especially in dusty environments. Point and shoot cameras, with their fixed lenses, don’t tend to have this weak point.
  Automated Point and Shoot Cameras

Key Advantages of Point and Shoot Cameras:

• Portability: Many of the new point and shoot cameras are so small and light, they can easily fit in any pocket. This means that you can take them virtually anywhere.
• Built-in Light Metering: With a point and shoot camera, you can utilize the camera’s internal light meter to determine the correct level of exposure for your photos.
• Unlimited Depth of Field: Depth of field is essentially the amount of the photo that is in focus. A wide depth of field means that the background, the mid-ground, and the foreground of the photo are all in focus. So you can have interest and focus throughout the entire landscape.
• Live LCD: Point and Shoot cameras come with a built-in LCD screen that shows you exactly what your photo will look like. This can be a real advantage in some situations.

Disadvantages of Point and Shoot Cameras:

• Lower Image Quality: Even at the same mega-pixel rating, a D-SLR camera will produce a much better photo than a point and shoot camera. The reason is that point and shoot cameras have smaller electronic image sensors than D-SLR cameras.
• Film or Noise Grain: The smaller sensors in point and shoot models don’t transfer as much light and image accuracy as larger sensors. This results in more film “noise” and graininess which can impact the quality of your pictures. This shortcoming is particularly noticeable with enlargements.
• Slow Performance: One of the biggest disadvantages of a point and shoot camera is that they take a long time to take a picture. In fact, in some cases, they take so long that the action is over before you can get in the shot. In other instances, the photos are out of focus because the auto-focus feature simply wasn’t quick enough. By contrast, D-SLR cameras can take several, perfectly focused frames per second.
• Menu-Driven Controls: Most of the controls for point and shoot cameras are on menus. Menus are convenient if you have all the time in the world. However, when taking pictures, many good shots are lost while you scroll through the numerous selections.
• Slow Zooming: With point and shoot cameras, zooming in is controlled by a toggle switch. In many cases, by the time you get the zoom all the way out, your perfect photo opportunity is long gone.

These are the basic pros and cons of each class of digital camera. In general, D-SLR cameras take higher quality pictures. They can also handle challenging situations such as low light or fast moving subjects. On the other hand, many point and shoot models take excellent photos. In addition, they’re so small and light, they can be taken practically anywhere.

II. Photo Composition: Getting the Best Shots of Your Children

The key to great photos of your children is to make sure that you understand what type of photo you want for each particular photo shoot, otherwise known as photo composition.

Let’s start by planning your photo. There are several different types of photo that you can take of your child. You can take close-ups, action or sports shots, outdoor shots, and activity shots. The first thing you should do is to think about which type of photo you are aiming for whenever you pick up your camera. By planning your photos, you will be able to get more great photos than if you just shoot random events. By planning ahead, you can gather all of your equipment, find a suitable location, and make sure the lighting is adequate. Here are a few basic guidelines which will help you to get great pictures of your kids.

1. Get real close. One of the nation’s top portrait photographers suggests getting really close to your subject. Then, move in even closer! After that, make sure that you focus on you child’s eyes. The focal point of every close up portrait should be the eyes. Don’t worry if your child is not always smiling or laughing. In truth, most people prefer pictures of their children in more serious poses because they tend to reveal more of the child.

2. Use a soft light. Try to control the existing lighting, whether you are inside or outdoors. The best light is a soft light coming from the side. If you are taking a shot outside with bright, harsh sunlight; try to find some shade. If you are inside, try to get your child near an open window or door. This type of indirect light prevents a lot of common problems, such as your child squinting in the sunlight or getting the red-eye effect from the flash. If you camera has a red-eye pre-flash, make sure you use it when taking indoor portraits.

3. Look at the overall composition. Is the background clean and non-distracting? Is your child the focal point of the picture? Also, there is an axiom in photography called the “Rule of Thirds.” This means that you should break the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically, like a tic-tac-toe board. Then, when you’re ready to take the picture, place the point of interest at one of the intersections of the horizontal and vertical lines. In the case of children or babies, try to place their eyes at one of the intersections. You will find your photographs become instantly more balanced and compelling!

4. Orient the subject properly. This rule applies to the orientation of the person in the picture. For example, if you are taking a profile shot of your child, make sure you leave some space to the right of the photo. For some reason, people don’t want the action or the gaze of a person to look like it is going right out of the photo. So, if you child is playing baseball, make sure they’re running into the photo, not out.

Suggestions for Each Age Group

Infants: Babies can be relatively easy to shoot because they tend to stay in one place. In order to make the photo interesting, don’t be afraid to use some props. Use a hand-made quilt, your mother’s christening gown, your husband’s favorite musical instrument (or golf club!) – anything that has some meaning to you and your family. Remember, get in real close.

Tip: Stay at their eye level and don’t be afraid to shoot some corny shots of their fingers and toes. Avoid using a wide-angle lens because this can exaggerate the size of their heads and noses. Instead, use a medium focal lens at 50mm, 90mm, or 105mm.

Toddlers: The hardest part about getting photos of a toddler is that you will have trouble catching them in a still position for more than a second. Try containing them in a car seat, walker, or stroller. Alternatively, use a new toy or a game to occupy them while you take the pictures. If you can’t contain them, just let them run wild and try to get some action shots. Also, take some spontaneous pictures of you and your toddler together using a remote timer or a remote shutter device. Try not to pose with your child as the pictures will tend to look contrived and unnatural.

Tip: You will probably be doing more action shots when your children are at this very active stage. Try to use a telephoto lens and a faster shutter speed such as 1/125. Then you can freeze their action. The telephoto lens will enable you to get close-ups without interfering with their activities. You can even plan the whole scene first and then place them in it. Often, large props like a large teddy bear or a family pet can work very well in this scenario. Once the stage is set, look for natural expressions and interesting reactions in your children.

Children (3 to 8 years): You now have an advantage because you can carry on a conversation with your child during the photo shoot. Once again, you need to plan what type of photo you’re after. Do you want to show his love of guitar? Do you want to show them in a classical portrait? This is where pre-planning becomes so important. Also, your conversation will have a major impact on their expressions. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up. Tell them some jokes. The goal is to solicit spontaneous and interesting sides of your children.

Tip: Let your child participate in the photo shot and you will get much better shots. Ask them how they want the background to look for example. Try to get good close-up shots with telephoto lens. At this age, you might want to start getting more environmental photos, so use a wide-angle lens to show them in a natural setting. Don’t be afraid to show them concentrating or in a pensive mood. Real shots make the best pictures.

Children (8 to teens): At this point, kids tend to begin to be a little more self-conscious about being photographed. As a result, you may need to take steps to get them excited about the photo shoot. Don’t be afraid to include their friends or the family pet to help them to relax and act more natural. Also, remember to take a picture of them with their favorite hobby, whether it’s reading a book curled up in a chair or flying radio-controlled airplanes. They will cherish these pictures later on when they bring back great memories. Don’t forget, there are always bikes, skateboards, surfboards, skis, etc. At this age, the goal is to get them to forget they’re being photographed. That’s when you’ll capture their most appealing sides.

Tip: Try to get your older child away from crowds to keep them from getting too self-conscious. For photos of them with their favorite sport object or hobby, make sure you set up a nice background. Use soft lighting from the side so that they aren’t squinting into the light. Try using a wide-angle lens.

Creating a Makeshift Portrait Studio

For close-up portraits, you can easily construct a makeshift professional studio. Find a room in your house or garage which has two adjacent windows. In between the two windows, hang a white bed sheet as a background. Place your child with his or her back to the bed sheet with a window on each side. Then have a helper hold up a large piece of white art foam core board over to the side. Stand facing your child and take the photo.

These types of portraits can also appear much more professionally if you use a tripod or place your camera on a sturdy surface. This prevents camera shake resulting in crystal clear photos. If you try these methods, you will be pleasantly surprised at how nice your photos of your children come out. If you are really ambitious, you will do this on a regular basis!

Summary

In general, any digital camera is capable of taking great shots of your kids. Then again, If you plan on capturing your children in fast action sporting events or situations with low light, you will probably need to use a D-SLR camera. After that, it’s primarily a matter of good planning and old fashioned creativity. If you take the time to follow some of these recommendations, you will quickly be creating photos which truly reflect your child’s personality. And, you will be creating permanent memories of their best years which you (and your children) can look back on again and again!