Getting Ready to Shoot Birthday Pics

Great Birthday Party Photos

Tips for Photographing Birthdays in a Memorable Manner

By Kyle Schurman, About.com Guide

If there's one event that almost everyone shoots every year, it's a birthday party. Whether you're photographing the cake, the opening of presents, or just the interaction of family and friends, there's always a camera out and in use during a birthday party.

However, this isn't always the easiest time to shoot photos. The lights might be low when the birthday candles are lit. There always seems to be something in front of people's faces, whether it's a plate of cake, a candle flame, or wrapping paper.

Then there's the difficulty in capturing just the right emotion on everyone's faces. All parents want that shot of their child as they open the gift that's the biggest surprise, but, even if you avoid all of the previously described obstacles, it's tough to time it just right.

Hopefully these tips will help you have more success photographing birthday parties.

• Be sure to shoot a lot of photos. As people move around during a party, you'll find a lot of different people interacting, giving you a great chance to shoot a variety of group combinations. By shooting a lot of photos, you'll have a much better chance of capturing the groups that you want.
• If possible, try to get up high and shoot a photo of the entire group from above. This will give you the best chance of seeing everyone's faces. Use a ladder, or try to get to the top of the stairs.
• Everyone shoots the "blowing out the candles" photo, but not everyone receives the best results. Try to maneuver your position so that you can see both the top of the cake and the child's face. If you shoot from too high of an angle, you may only see the top of the child's head, missing the emotion. If you shoot from too low of an angle, the candles and flames may obscure the face.
• When shooting the photos with the candles lit, consider trying a couple of shots with the flash turned off. The glow from the candles should light the face of the subject, while the other objects in the frame are dimly lit, creating an interesting looking photo.
• Because you'll probably have to shoot most of your other photos at the party with the flash, "red eye" could be a significant problem. To hopefully save yourself a lot of editing time later, be sure to activate the red eye reduction feature on your camera.
• As you shoot photos using the flash, be sure you know the effective range of the flash unit. If you are farther from the subject than your flash can effectively work, you'll end up with underexposed photos.
• If the lighting isn't too bad and you don't need a flash, you may want to shoot some photos using a "burst" mode. That way you'll have the best chance of capturing the perfect emotion on everyone's faces. For example, during the time of the party when people are opening presents, considering moving the birthday boy or girl near a window, so you can take advantage of some daylight. Just be careful that you don't underexpose the subject because of a strong backlight.
• If you have a relative who could not travel to attend the birthday party but sent a gift, be sure to shoot a few photos of the child opening that relative's gift. Then send your relative a copy of the photo with a quick note from the child as a personalized and fun "thank you" note.
• Shooting a photo of a child's party will be quite a bit different than shooting photos of an adult's birthday party. The adults may not want to remember all of the gifts, but they'll want more of a set of interaction photos with others at the party. The children will want photos of the games they've played and the gifts and the cake.
• Finally, make sure your camera is ready at all times. You never know when you'll see the perfect emotion on the birthday girl's face or capture a great action shot, so have that camera ready. 

MY THOUGHTS

Why the interest in birthday party photo tips?

Well,  someone special is celebrating his birthday this weekend.  And I intend to shoot lots of pictures.  It's not the picture-taking itself that thrills me.  It's the fact that I can create a storyboard with the photos.

So, let's see what happens.  I'm hoping I can find the time to take those pics.

 

Taking Photos in the Rain

Wet Cameras

Find Tips for Using Your Camera in Rain

By Kyle Schurman, About.com Guide

As with any piece of electronics, water is not the friend of your digital camera ... unless it's designed specifically for underwater usage, that is.

With a standard camera in rainy weather, you have the added problem that water could stick to your lens and ruin your photos.

However, just because it's raining, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should cancel your photography session. Use these tips for using wet cameras in the rain, both to keep your camera safe and to achieve better photographs on rainy days.

• Always carry a few dry cloths with you, preferably a type of cloth that can clean all parts of the camera, including the lens and LCD. Keep the cloths in a sealed plastic bag when they aren't in use to keep them dry. 

• Don't use a t-shirt or your jeans to try to dry the lens of the camera. To be sure that you're going to keep the lens from getting scratched, you really need to use a microfiber cloth that's specifically designed to clean lenses safely. 

• Keep a few towels handy, too, that you can drape over the camera between shots. Although these towels will get wet, too, they can provide at least a little protection while you're using the camera. 

• Make sure you have an all-weather camera bag, or you're wearing all-weather clothing. You then can at least keep the camera dry and protected (in the bag or under your clothing) when you aren't using it. 

• Avoid relying on an umbrella to keep your equipment dry. Unless you are confident you can shoot photos one-handed all day -- which is not recommended with any camera but a tiny point and shoot model -- holding the umbrella while trying to shoot with both hands is impossible. In addition, if the weather is also windy, the umbrella won't prevent rain from blowing under it and hitting the camera. 

• If you can shoot from under an overhanging roof or other type of permanent shelter, do it. You might not obtain every photo you want, but you will stay dry. Again, wind-blown rain can ruin this strategy. 

• You can try using a plastic bag or towel draped over the top of the camera to keep it somewhat dry. If possible, depending on the model of camera, attach a lens hood to keep the lens protected from rain. 

• Finally, if you're focused keeping your equipment dry, you might forget one key component of shooting in the rain: On a cloudy, rainy day, the external light is much less than normal. With less light available, your camera may need to shoot at a slow shutter speed, meaning having a tripod available is a good idea. 

• If you can bring some external lighting, you may want to have additional lights available. With these lights, you also may be able to shoot a photo with the rain falling, which can be a really interesting shot. 

My Thoughts

 

I just realized I like the idea - taking pictures in the rain.  Rain sounds so refreshing.  Imagine how the photos would look: refreshing pictures, fresh memories.  I really like the sound of that.

How To Take Photos on a Cloudy Day

Cloudy Day Photos

Figure Out the Best Equipment to Use in Overcast Conditions

By Kyle Schurman, About.com Guide

If you're a photographer who enjoys shooting photos on bright, sunny days ... and who tends to leave the camera in the drawer on cloudy, overcast days, you may want to rethink your policy. Shooting photos on a cloudy day requires some slightly different thinking, and some different equipment.
Shooting cloudy day photos can be an enjoyable and easy process, as these tips show, and you'll achieve some interesting results. Just make sure that you understand your camera's settings and have the right equipment available, as it can be a little tricky to shoot great photos and achieve the right exposure under these conditions.

• Clouds actually act as a natural diffuser of the sunlight, limiting harsh shadows and distributing light evenly throughout the shot. So, if you have a close-up photo that you want to shoot outdoors, an overcast day is the perfect time to shoot it.
  
• With some especially colorful subjects, such as flowers, an overcast day can help the colors stand out from the surrounding area. Bright sunlight tends to wash out the colors of flower petals, especially the subtle colors and highlights on each petal. Consider shooting flower photos on overcast days.
  
• Overcast days tend to diminish contrast, which can give you an interesting photograph. With the reduced contrast, you'll find additional detail in the areas normally buried in shadows.
  
• Portrait photos are good to try on overcast days, as the subjects won't squint because of overly bright sunlight.
  
• If you have an architectural photo that you've been wanting to shoot, but you can't quite seem to find the best time of day for the photo because of the glare of the sun off windows or reflective metal, try shooting the photo on an overcast day. The clouds should negate more of the reflection and glare from the glass and metal of the building.
  
• Keep in mind, depending on the thickness of the clouds, you may need to include a fill flash with your photo. Although it can seem a little odd to want to use a flash outdoors, the cloudy day may require it, so have the flash unit handy. In addition, heavy clouds sometimes can cause dull, flat photos, so you may need to add a little light.
  
• One thing to be careful about when using a flash on a cloudy and rainy day is that you could end up with a bit of glare from puddles or water standing on the ground. You'll have to be a little careful about how you position yourself and your camera to make sure to avoid this glare.
  
• If you want to shoot a close up photo with the flash, be sure to use your camera's macro mode so that the flash will throttle down and avoid a washed out photo or harsh shadows. Have a few different lenses available with your DSLR camera so that you can achieve the right look.
  
• Why fight the conditions? Take advantage of the overcast conditions to create a unique photo that reflects the gloomy weather. For example, shooting a sad photo is a great use of overcast weather conditions.
  
• Make sure your equipment is prepared for anything. An overcast day could lead to rain or cool weather very quickly. Be sure you have all of the gear you need to keep your camera equipment dry, just in case. Leave the rain gear at home, and you're sure to regret it.
  
• Cloudy day photos can result in some unique images. For example, you can shoot at a lake, showcasing the reflection of the interesting cloud formations in the water. Or, near sunset or sunrise, you might be able to catch the sun just peaking out from the clouds near the horizon, giving you some great colors and amazing views!
  
• In addition, make sure you have access to weather reports through a cell phone or a radio. If there's only going to be a short rain shower during the day, you may want to wait it out and continue shooting your cloudy day photos once the rain stops. However, if the rain is going to persist much of the day, or if there's a chance that the rain could turn into a severe storm, you will want to find safer conditions.
  
  MY THOUGHTS
  
  I used to be a camera buff.  I have changed gears.  This hobby has become a luxury.  On top of that is my constant desire to learn to travel light.  To be completely honest, I don't think I have the physical energy to carry the bulky camera and all the lenses that come with it.
  
  But, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy pictures.  I just hope photo enthusiasts will take time to better their craft.  While it may be true that it is a gift to have an eye for beauty, I believe it is a skill to have to ability to capture whatever is beautiful - in anything.
  
  The article very clearly brought that out.  A cloudy day, to some, may be a day to let the camera rest.  And it shouldn't be.  Unique circumstances have come out of dire circumstances.  So, why not unique pictures taken on a cloudy day?
   

Keep Your Camera Safe

Digital Camera Safety

Use Your Photography Equipment Safely With These Tips

By Kyle Schurman, About.com Guide

As pieces of electronic equipment, digital cameras carry some inherent risks, if not used or maintained properly. Damage to the electrical components or accessories with a digital camera could lead to a fire or to a malfunctioning or broken camera. Use these tips to properly maintain, use, and protect your digital camera.

• Only use an AC adapter or battery charger that is designed specifically for your make and model of camera. Substituting electrical equipment made for other camera models could void your warranty and cause damage to the camera. It also could end up causing a fire, as the incorrect equipment could cause the battery to short-circuit. 

 

• Only use rechargeable batteries that are specifically recommended and approved for your camera. Using an ill-fitting or overly powerful battery pack could cause damage to the camera, or it could, again, cause the battery to short-circuit. 

 

• Make sure any cables you use with your camera -- AC adapters and USB cables especially -- are free from nicks and cuts. A damaged cable could cause a fire. 

 

• Do not try to fix the interior components of the camera yourself. Simply opening the camera case likely will void your warranty and could result in permanent damage to the camera. 

 

• Remove the batteries from the camera if you will not be using the camera for a week or more, especially if the batteries are empty. Fully discharged batteries are more likely to leak acid, which would damage the camera. 

 

• When carrying batteries for your camera, make sure that you don't have multiple batteries in one location, where they could come into contact with each other. If the terminals on the batteries remain in contact with each other, they could cause a short and a fire. In addition, if the metal terminals come into contact with some sort of metal, such as keys or coins, the batteries also could short out, so be careful with the batteries when transporting them. 

 

• If the camera does not charge properly or seems to "start and stop" when charging, consider sending in the camera in for repair. You may have a short inside the camera, which could cause damage to the camera. 

 

• Do not expose the camera to extreme temperatures or water, unless your particular model of camera is designed for harsh conditions. In addition, avoid exposing the camera to sudden changes in temperature, especially in high humidity conditions, which could cause condensation inside the camera body, leading to damage to circuitry or the LCD. 

 

• Never remove the battery from the camera when the camera is in operation or is storing photos. Suddenly removing the power source while the camera is working could cause damage to data or could damage the camera's circuitry. 

 

• Avoid storing the camera for extended periods of time in areas exposed to strong magnetic fields or electromagnetic radiation. Such exposures could damage the LCD or affect the camera's circuitry. 

 

• If you own a DSLR camera that you won't be using for a few weeks, remove the lens from the camera body. Replace the caps on both ends of the lens, as well as on the camera body, to protect all of the components during storage. Clean the lens before storing it, just to make sure it'll be ready for use. 

My Thoughts

 

These are straightforward tips.  Simple enough to follow-if you want to follow.  Why wouldn't you?  You spent well-earned money on that camera.  With that camera, you have accumulated hundreds, if not thousands of memories.  You've burned calories because of those photo walks.  You're FB profile is not the boring space of emptiness.

Better take care of that camera.  It's not just a gadget!