Posts Tagged ‘photographing children’
© Tim Pannell Photography
So you got a new DSLR for Christmas and you’re super excited, but when you’ve used it so far there hasn’t been as much magic in your pictures as you hoped.
It’s not so surprising. Many people think that all you need to take great pictures is a great camera.
They save up their money and buy that great camera with a jillion megapixels, start snapping pictures and experience great disappointment.
Their pictures with the great camera look the same as the pictures they took with their crappy camera………only a little sharper and perhaps with better color.
There are so many variables involved in creating a great photograph….where do you start?
When learning photography………..simplify.
Pick a subject……pick one subject.
Many times people have a hard time deciding what their subject is. Is it your child, is it what your child is wearing, is it the location you’re shooting your child, is it somebody else in the picture with your child, is it their relationship with your child?
My point is this…..great photographs have one subject.
© Tim Pannell Photography
For starters, separate your subject from the background, either with depth of field, color, lens choice or composition.
Simplify your image. Don’t try and do too much with it or put too much information in it.
Take your child to a spot with pretty light, either in your house or outside, it doesn’t matter.
Avoid direct sunlight – it’s too harsh and unless you really know how to use it to your advantage, more often than not it will bite you in the butt.
Don’t be afraid to open up your lens and shoot at F2 or F2.8 even F4 if that’s as open as your lens goes.
See what limits you come up against when shooting at those F-stops.
Do you struggle keeping your subject sharp?
© Tim Pannell Photography
Many people will insist on shooting at F8 or F11 because it’s much easier to keep your subject in focus.
What most of them don’t realize is that they are settling for a less than great image because of that Fstop choice.
At F11 the background of your image will be pretty sharp and will compete with your subject for attention – yielding a very hum drum, boring image.
There are always tradeoffs wherever you set your aperture and shutter speeds.
You have to learn what your individual comfort zone is.
This will also help you discover your weaknesses and strengths.
If you have camera shake when you’re shooting at 1/125th of a second you know you will have to work on that.
If you can’t keep your subject sharp when you’re shooting at F2.8 then you know you need to work on setting the focus sensor a little more precisely.
As with any learned skill, be it musical, sports related or artistic in nature - it takes lots and lots of practice to get good at something, expecially something new.
It takes even more effort and consistent practice to master something.
The wonderful thing about photography is that you’ll get some amazing photographs before you actually master the craft or even before you’re really good at it.
The first time you get an amazing image is an incredible event that you’ll never forget.
Have fun with the learning process. Embrace the mistakes that you’ll make along the way. Learn from them.
Sometimes the best shots you’ll get will be the result of happy little accidents.
Shoot like crazy – it’s digital for crying out loud – it doesn’t cost you a penny to try new techniques.
It’s all about discovery – discovery of your subject as well as discovery of your self.
Enjoy the ride!
© Tim Pannell Photography
I had so much fun shooting the fall colors in Utah 2 weeks ago, that I went back last week to get some more. The color was still incredible.
Cool crisp air, morning frost……orange, red and yellow tones.
A mother, a father, a child, giggling, laughing, running, jumping, playing………being.
I kept the same basic idea in mind this time around as I did the first week…….keep it simple.
© Tim Pannell Photography
Make sure the wardrobe you choose fits with the fall colors. Sweaters, caps, vests……..nice warmer tones.
Sticking to classic styles helps keep your photos from looking dated.
I found a couple of pretty trees and had my mommies (and daddy) just play with their kids.
More than anything else when I’m shooting families I want to capture their connection.
© Tim Pannell Photography
Photographs are about emotions, feelings, brief moments in time.
Capturing in an image what we all crave in our lives….real connections, ties and emotional bonds with those we love.
None of this is rocket science. A photograph doesn’t need to be complicated to be good……in fact, just the opposite.
Whenever in doubt, keep it simple.
Autumn Leaves © Tim Pannell Photography
Our family just got back from a trip to Utah. The autumn leaves were incredible! I love this time of year.
We have 2 older children that are going to college up there and my wife and I both have extended family there as well.
It was nice to go up and see everyone as well as get out of the surprise 100 degree weather that showed back up here in Arizona last week.
We had a great time visiting with family and wish we were still up there.
One of the things I enjoy most about the Fall is the colors. It’s so much fun seeing all the vibrant colors and how quickly they change from day to day.
We took advantage of the weather and shot lots of pictures of our kids with their cousins.
I purposely shot as simply as possible this week because I wanted to use these images as instructional pictures for my Photo Mommies Workshop that starts on November 9th.
Red Leaf © Tim Pannell Photography
Sometimes when the scenery is so pretty, it’s hard to not overdo things and get an image that becomes cluttered with no real direction to it.
If you’re shooting your kids, be sure to keep them strong in the photograph. It’s about them, make sure the photos you take reflect that.
Find activities that the kids like to do and capture them doing it.
Help Your Sister! © Tim Pannell Photography
Be sure to shoot at the optimal times of day…..just after sunrise and just before sunset. If you have to shoot in the middle of the day do your best to shoot in open shade.
You can also take advantage of backlighting which makes the colors in your backgrounds really pop. The sun stays lower in the sky this time of year so the quality of light is better than during summer months.
The colors don’t last long so be sure not to procrastinate. Get out there and shoot like crazy while the colors are still there.
Be sure to register for the next Photo Mommies Online Workshop if you haven’t already. It starts on November 9th, runs for 4 weeks and only costs $150. I hope to see you all there in the forum.
Little Cuties © Tim Pannell Photography
I got to shoot two little girls yesterday. What a hoot! The youngest is one and her older sister is 2 1/2. They are adorable.
Their parents are friends of ours from church. I see them every week, but I didn’t really know much about their 2 little cuties.
Sisters © Tim Pannell Photography
The first time I shoot with kids, I try not to push too hard for a preconceived shot. It rarely works out the way you plan. It’s better to just kind of go with the flow.
The younger they are, the shorter window of opportunity you will typically have. We shot for under 2 hours, which is a long time for 2 little ones of their ages.
Try to find a couple places that have good available light and backgrounds. Find some props to help keep them from paying too much attention to you and then start shooting away.
We started out with a little kitchen set. Eden, the 2 year old loves to bake! This was the easiest way to get her into shooting without “posing” for the camera.
Eden the Chef © Tim Pannell Photography
Eventually, they get used to you and you can get some natural looking shots of the kids just being kids.
The struggles with available light are almost always focus related. I have great lenses and yet they still struggle to lock on sometimes when the subject has lots of “energy.”
"Popular" © Tim Pannell Photography
Shoot anyway. Even if they’re moving in and out of focus. Sometimes you can get some happy little accidents. Blurry isn’t always a bad thing.
I shot most of these images at f2 between 1/125th and 1/200th of a second, ISO rating of 800. No fill lights, no reflectors. I wanted to show what can be done with no additional lighting.
Little Chef © Tim Pannell Photography
Most people starting out in photography just have the camera and a couple of lenses. Sometimes people mistakenly believe they can’t get great photographs without a lot of “stuff.” You don’t have to have fancy studio lighting equipment to get great shots.
© Tim Pannell Photography
You can add additional lighting to your “kit” in due time. There’s nothing wrong with taking baby steps in the beginning.
© Tim Pannell Photography
The most important thing to remember when shooting little kids is to try to make it fun and no big deal. It’s not life or death if you don’t end up getting an amazing shot.
© Tim Pannell Photography
If you try to force the situation you could ruin a lot of your chances for getting great shots the next time. You don’t want your kids going AWOL any time they see you pull your camera out.
© Tim Pannell Photography
Remember, Just have FUN!
Registration for the Photo Mommies Online Photography Workshop begins on Tuesday, September 22nd. Be sure to sign up, there will only be 125 spaces.
© Tim Pannell Photography
I’m getting ready for the October 19th launch of my Photo Mommies Online Photography Workshop. The goal is to help moms use their cameras better and get better pictures of their kids. It’s been a lot of fun creating the curriculum.
I’ll also be creating Camtasia videos showing step by step Photoshop techniques at the end of August once the software is available for Macs.
So, if you’re a mom that is passionate about photography and your kids and want to take your photo skills to a higher level, this is the perfect photo workshop for you.
I’ve been a successful commercial photographer for over 24 years and will be sharing insights, tips and secrets I’ve learned over those years as I’ve worked with thousands of kids.
Here’s what some people I’ve worked with over the last decade or two say:
Pete Schnaitmann
Peter Schnaitmann – Executive Producer – Corbis
“Tim and I have worked together for over six years at Corbis and I have enjoyed every minute of it! He is an amazing photographer who has the ability to work with people of all ages and get them to relax and be comfortable in front of the camera which enables him to create images that show true emotion and feeling. Tim is solution oriented and always looking for new ways to light and to create images that are unique and stand apart from the rest. His positive energy and determination to always create the best image for the project helps to make every shoot a success.”
Ellen Herbert – Producer/Freelance Art Buyer – Former Sr. Director of Photographer Relations, Jupiterimages.
“It is rare to work with a photographer like Tim Pannell. In my 25 years of producing, directing, licensing and buying imagery, he is number one on my list of photographers to call for any project. I know he will bring a creative vision that will take any concept, no matter how staid and overdone, a new slant. Every member of every crew that has ever shot with Tim finds themselves doing their best work when on set with him, inspired not only by the creative process, but by Tim’s supportive, positive and enthusiastic energy and his optimistic outlook. His images are among the top income producing in all the major stock agencies and he is in high demand. He is one of the most respected photographers in our industry. He makes it look easy. Its not, but he makes it look that way. I can’t wait for the opportunity to work with him again.”
The workshop will be available online starting October 19th and will run for 8 weeks. Each participant will be able to download each week’s lesson at the beginning of the week. They can then study and work at their own pace throughout the week. Assignments will be done over the weekends applying the principles learned throughout the week. I will be giving you personalized feedback on the numerous images you create throughout the entire course.
Here’s the curriculum as of today: (It may change between now and the start of the photo workshop)
Week #1 – Introduction to Photography
A Day In Our Life
Techno Geek vs. Creative Freak
Equipment – Basic Camera Settings
Go Out and Play – (1st assignment)
Week #2 - Exposure Control
Shooting Modes
Histograms – (Polaroid was so over-rated)
ISO
Picking an Aperture
Depth of Field
Shooting Action
Aperture vs. Shutter Speed – (2nd assignment)
Week #3 - The Art of Seeing
Lens Choice
Viewpoint
Rule of Thirds
Cropping
Background options
Developing Your Creativity – (3rd assignment)
Week #4 - Working With Light
Lighting is the Bomb
Styles of Lighting
Outdoor lighting Techniques
Indoor Lighting Techniques
Out With the Bad Light, In With the Good! – (4th assignment)
Week #5 – Importance of Editing
Candids vs. Portraits
Interacting With Your “Victims”
Indoors vs. Outdoors
Tight and Tidy vs. Loose and Sloppy – (5th assignment)
Week #6 - Color Management
Photoshop Settings
Photoshop Actions
Basic Image Enhancement
Workflow
Before and Afters – (6th assignment)
Week #7 – Storyboard
A Week in Your Children’s Lives
Shoot, shoot and shoot some more
Edit, edit and edit some more – Use the Hatchet, be tough!
Unleash the Creative Beast! – (7th assignment)
Week #8 – Share the Wealth
Best of the Best
Wrap It Up, I’ll Take It
The photography workshop will be limited to the first 125 people. The cost for the 8 week course is $300.00 payable in full at time of registration which is set to begin on September 22nd. To make sure you’re up to date on workshop registration info and on our latest tips and techniques just fill out the form below with your name and email address.
