Do your holiday photos live up to the excitement and vibrancy of this festive time of year?
No? Well, sometimes all it takes are a few tweaks to turn your holiday snap-shots into quality, long-lasting memories that you will cherish forever.
Here are a few easy tips to get you through the December family gatherings, not to mention the annual office Christmas party.
1. Do not use “auto” flash.
Sure, it’s much easier when the camera makes all of the decisions for you, but that is exactly why things don’t always turn out the way that you want them. This is particularly true when using flash. When photographing holiday decorations, trees or candles, or doing most types of “night” shooting, be sure to turn your flash “off” in order to capture the true ambiance of the light. Otherwise, the camera will likely pop off its flash, resulting in a flat, washed-out image. But, remember… A tripod is very useful, if not essential, when shooting in low light without a flash.
2. Don’t forget about the detail.
Is there a special ornament on your Christmas tree? If so, then isolate it by getting closer and/or zooming in. A shallow depth of field can also be useful in these cases (i.e., wide lens aperture).
3. Optimize your “white balance” setting.
What is “white balance”, you ask? Most digital cameras allow you to account for the type of light you are shooting in by adjusting your white balance setting. Of course, there is always the “auto” white balance (AWB), but if you are getting a color cast to your images (usually yellowish or bluish), then the first setting to check is your WB. Try to match the WB pre-set with the type of light that your subject is in (e.g., sunlight).
4. Photographing children.
Let’s face it – kids love the December holidays. And, you only get one chance to capture that special moment when they open a gift (or, perhaps, give a gift). A simple way to improve your “kid” photography is to lower the camera to their eye level such that you are shooting “across” rather than down. Yes, this may require you to kneel down or, even, lie down on the ground. But, the results will make it worth exercising those wobbly knees.
1. Understand exposure.
I’ll say it again. Understand exposure. No matter how easy to use the camera manufacturers try to make their products, the quality of your work often comes down to how well you expose your subject matter. And, the tougher the lighting conditions – which is often the case with holiday scenes – the more difficult it is for your camera to get the correct exposure when in its “auto” mode. So, the better you understand your aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings, the more likely you are to get the optimum exposure for each situation.
Looking for more insight? Check out the Got f-Stop? photo blog at www.gotfstop.com
David Simchock is a professional photographer and instructor based in Asheville s River Arts District. For more about David, including his popular Vagabond Vistas Photo Tours, visit www.DijonCreative.com.