Tips For Better Backgrounds Photography

Photography backgrounds is very influence to the subjects in the captured results such as the influence of color between backgrounds and the subjects.The background or a background color that is not in accordance with the subjects or subjects color will be able to damage the image.

Here are some tips to dealing with distracting backgrounds:

* Background check

Scan the background before taking a shot.Adjust the background colors to fit with the rest of the image, look to the bright patches that might distract the eye, lines that clash, people that don’t belong etc.

*Move the subjects

Get the perfect position of your subject by sliding or straighten the subjects to fix things either by putting the distraction behind them or by putting it out of frame.

*Variation of shooting angle

If you have distracting elements in the background of a shot but can’t move your subject another strategy is to move yourself and shoot from a new angle.It can be done by take pictures of a more downward angle or even more up to get the appropriate background.Or could also shift to another angle.

*Blur background

By using depth of field of your lens you can throw the background out of focus to deal with backgrounds distactions.
The easiest way to get blur backgrounds is by adjust a wide aperture.If you set to the smaller number then the wider the aperture and will results more blurry on your background .
The quickest way to see the impact of this strategy is to switch your camera into aperture priority mode and to take a number of shots at different apertures. Start with an aperture of f/20 and work your way down – one stop at a time. Once you get down to under f/4 you’ll start seeing the background in your shots getting blurrier and blurrier.

Another way to help get your backgrounds nice and blurry is to use a lens with a long focal length. Longer tele-photo do help a little to get narrower depth of field (although the amount is less than many think). In actual fact the impact is smaller than it seems and the main reason for the change is that with a longer focal length the subject actually takes up more space in the frame.

Placing your subject a long way in front of other objects will also help to make those objects more blurry. For example if you have the choice between shooting your subject standing right in front of a brick wall or standing in front of an open field – the open field shot will have a much more blurred background simply because the brick wall is just centimeters from your subject and inside the focal range whereas an open field stretches off into the distance where everything will be out of focus.

*Fill your frame with your subject

The effective ways to removing distractions from backgrounds is by remove the background and filling the frame with your subject totally. You can get close to the subjects or use your zoom lens to tightly frame the shot and you’ll not only remove distractions but could end up with a high impact shot as well.

*Make your Own Background
You can create your own a mini studio with a background material or backgrounds color that you want and you can change it any time adapted to the theme.

* Post Processing

Using image software just like photoshop can edit your background by adjust the color of background or to get the blur backgrounds.You can even change the backgrounds without difficulty move it.

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Shot Moving Subjects By Panning Technique Tips

Photo by J Catlett

Panning is a technique that can produce extraordinary results, especially moving subjects with consistent practice.The basic of panning technique is to move the camera follows a moving subjects and shot them to produce a sharp focus and a soft blurred background.Shutter speed will give a significant impact on our picture taken, especially if the subjects are moving.

This technique highlights of the shot a feeling of movement and speed.Panning techniques can be used when capturing images of birds in flight, moving vehicles, the things that are falling or running dogs and so on.

Panning would be easier to do, if the subject is moving straight dominant, so that we can predict where the subject would lead and the camera is easy to follow the movements.Otherwise, if the subject is moving erratically then the result will be a chaotic blur.

Here are the panning tips:

1.Setting slow shutter speed according to lighting and subjek.For example 1 / 3 seconds and then explore more slowly.If you have a camera with automatic focus tracking,you can allow your camera to focussing by pressing the shutter button half (depending on the speed and where can follow the subject). If you do not have one,take pre-focus your camera where you'll end up releasing the shutter.

2.When done with the shutter, release gently and minimizing camera shake, even after you shoot the subject to ensure that the gentle motion blur from the beginning to the end of the shot.

3.Photographing position must be unhindered view of the movement toward the subject and try to be parallel to the road of the subject to a good focus.

4.Note the background of the subject, the subject background would be great with a plain color is not too much background color contras, because it will result in a messy blur.

5.Use additional equipment such as swivel tripod or long lens to facilitate the movement of cool subject.
Use of the flash while panning only works if the subject is close enough or your flash is powerful enough to have an impact.


Once again in all the photography techniques would be great with the other experiments.As the panning technique does not have to use a slow shutter, you can try with a fast shutter experiments with adjusted precision and speed that matches the movements by training your feeling sharpness.

You can practice your panning technique with shoot the current vehicle traffic on the highway so you will not run out looking for subjects that are moving.

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Wide-Angle Lens Usage Tips

Wide-angle lens is made the object becomes smaller.But with the benefits of wide-angel lens,we can create images with great impact by using it correctly.

Wide-angle lens can take the far field and wide view also has a depth of field that is stronger than the larger lens. If we use a larger lens, field of view would be narrow.If you focus on the subject in the foreground,you can not catch a lot of backgroundIn addition to make the features of both foreground and background,wide-angle lens can also keep everything in focus when you're doing it the focus.

But if we use a larger lens maybe we should close the aperture, which means slow shutter speeds, and must use a tripod so that the same could be generated by using wide-angle lens and depth of field may still not so strong as to use a wide angle lens.

Exaggerated perspective by wide-angle lens, making objects appear much longer. If you shoot anything that stretches far into the distance like a dock, railway, road the wide-angle lens will help produce an optimized image with the feel of three-dimensional depth. The lines of force of the composition will bring viewers into the picture, so they feel that they not only saw pictures, but right into it.

Excessive perspective of wide-angle lenses make objects at different distances appear farther away than than the truth. Foreground objects may seem a bit smaller and the object seen in the background adds a lot. So to add impact to the front of the subject of wide-angle lens is very good. If you stand very close to someone or other objects such as trees and so forth, then objects will look better in the distance. This is the opposite of a telephoto lens, which tends to carry a prominent backdrop.

Based on the above we can create images that really capture the eyes of viewers by utilizing the benefits of wearing a wide-angle lens with correctly.
Imagine an old rural farmhouse, with a conspicuous cloud formation behind him. Your telephoto lens may be appropriate only in a farmhouse, and the standard lens may be appropriate in the house and the sky.

With wide-angle lens, you can walk up the driveway and look for some specific details such as the trash, junk or mail box to create a more interesting composition.

If you are standing near the mailbox, it would have the advantage in the composition, but you will still have a clear picture of the farmhouse and the sky in the background. Even better, stronger depth of field makes it easy to keep everything in focus.

Excessive perspective will make the entrance appear again, adding three-dimensional effect to the picture. If you do well, the first thing is eye-catching box, but the entrance will bring viewers into the distance, to appreciate all the details of the background, too.

Again, this is will be easier to tested than to think it.Lets go start to snapping...

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How To Set The Tone Of Our Taste

The color tone in the western and eastern countries are different.It was influenced by the temperature or the season occurred in the respective countries.The Western tone tends to soft tone and slightly yellow / brown tone, while the eastern most contrasting color.But it also depends on our tastes,so how to set the tone of our taste,here are some tips..

The basic concept of the color tone is should be there another color layer. Most people play the existing colors in the photo, so if a lot of shifting color ,balance, hue / saturation, selective color, image was damaged and destroyed (or commonly called, was too harsh processing. .)....
You can use the curve to play on color too, but rather difficult and take along time to looking for of true curva composition ..... and sometimes can not be application in all photos ...

For the above photo, basic photo and made under the curve raises to add to brihgtness.Position of WB on auto and settings format directly to JPEG images do not use RAW.Hereafter set saturation around 40% ... this is to avoid over power / impact of color is too bright in the basic photos ...

And here are this the key to play with color tone :
Take a color layer with solid color, or a gradient map, image above to use the gradient map, the color of dark brown to light brown.
The next step blending overlay or soft light, opacity down a bit, giving the gradient map, or layer colors can be done many times, but remember, the more layers of this gradient, the smaller the opacity of each layer, because the reply was too high opacity, images will be destroyed, next only to confirm his ... good color with color balance, selective color and so on.

A bout the colors combination and the tone produced can be studied alone by trial and error practice continuestly.For fine art student is will be easy.

In addition to how to process images, temperature and climate of a country also influences skin tone, especially the western skin tone.The western model of skin tone made it easier to like the picture above .... different from asian model,
skin they tend to be too white or yellow ... ...

"Good luck"

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The Landscape Photography Tips

When taking a picture of natural landscape,sometimes we ask why the result is not as beautiful as the natural itself.Don't blame the camera, because a sophisticated camera equipment can not be guaranteed a person can make a good photographs. Here are some tips on how to make photographic images of attractive landscape

Try to think about landscape photos like a short story that has the opening (foreground / Foreground), middle (middle ground / background center), and the end (background / background). In a landscape of agricultural fields, for example, you can use the old railway as a foreground, winding dirt road as a middle ground, and a bright red barn as a backgroud. A farmer who was leading the horse can be a character or the main subject of your photo. (Release the number of chickens in the vicinity if you need some supplementary subject.)

Very few landscapes seem organized at first sight, then your main task is to find a vantage point that can translate or communicate to the audience what an interesting picture of your eyes at the spectacle.

A landscape photograph should capture the spirit (the spirit) and the mood of a place. Even before you are aiming your lens to the target, think for a moment, ask yourself what seemed emotionally to you about two things that (spirit and mood). Does the yellow tinge of morning light in between menelusuk dry grass in the fields? Color, direction, quality, intensity of light all have an effect on the landscape. Or is it afternoon fog that hovered over the creek. The weather in all its forms works amazing even on a very common sight even

Here are some technical tips to make a good landscape photography:

RAW
Always use a form of RAW files, not the other. We certainly will be very happy if we can easily to modify the image using photo software. Therefore, the easiest thing if we want to modify a product image is to have a digital negative film. Negative film is digital RAW files.

Composition
Find the best location we like and we believe that it is the perfect place to create a landscape photograph. We have to find a location that really good for the composition which we must pay attention to the foreground of an object which we will take her picture. Without a good foreground, the background of the object is not interesting, although nothing as beautiful as the background.
Example:
We'll take a photo of the mountain landscape, where backgroundnya a few large yellow cloud. Maybe this picture is good enough, but it would be great if we add a few piles of stones in front of the mountain. That way, it will feel more complete in the composition of the picture where we also provide a good foreground.
Then, do not forget about the rules of composition in a photograph that is
Never put the main object in the centre of the images frame.
Why?
Because later will make a Dead Center on the image.
What is Dead Center? Hmm,. We try to explain to the next topic yes

Tripod
To take landscape photographs required a low ISO (50-100) to obtain low noise and excellent color saturation. However, low ISO also means slower shutter speed.
Well, to overcome a slow shutter speed, we ought to use a tripod, so that we produce images that will not shake (shake).
Tripod only its not enough, we must determine the appropriate horizon position. Where is the horizon that we make should always be straight, not tilted to the left or right. If we are hard to make a straight horizon, we can use the plastic to the spirit level, the additional equipment we attach to the hotsoe (holder Blitz) camera. That way, we will always get a straight horizon.

Filter
Okay, we're almost ready now
If we're ready, we push the shutter relase it, click. And, we already have a landscape photo. But once seen in the house? Really bright? Color of the sky are brighter than other colors? why ??
The answer is a filter.
Why filter? Yes. We can use a neutral filter,and will better if we use a neutral density filter. We also could use circular polarising filter (CPL) which will get better results, because the average lighting and can eliminate the reflections caused by glass or water.

Aperture
To get the sharpness of images for all areas, use the aperture of F11 - F16, but depending on the camera that we use .However, we still have to use the aperture under the F13 for a landscape photo in order to avoid diffraction images that are too soft.

Time
The best time to get a landscape photograph is at the "Golden Hour". When did that golden hour? Yes. Time approximately 30 minutes after sunrise or 30 minutes before sunset.
However, we also get a dramatic dark clouds or a large white cloud with a bright blue sky .We have do it in the right time
Do not make landscape photographs in the middle of the day?Cause its gonna be hot

Be Patience
why we need it?
Surely, we can not make good pictures with my wife when she is sullen in addition to asking home or our friends be fussy with all the reason like hot or what else. We must take the time and meticulous. We have to see what we see in the viewfinder and the object we will photograph is the same.
We must consider the lighting in the picture so that the results we get really optimal.
The key is just one,be patient.

Camera
Do you know a good camera?
Is that a good camera that will always be expensive?
Hmm,. My colleague once said, "in photography the money was not a lie";)
What did it mean?
Yes, .. meaning of course we must use the appropriate camera or a good camera to get good results too.
Okey? Prepare everything, put all your gear into a bag, do not let anyone behind.

White balance
If you use RAW, (should) we do not have to worry about white balance settings on the camera. Because we can modify later using photo software.

Shutter Release
Use shutter relase cable or wireless shutter relase, to avoid the camera shake when taking photos.
Usually for a few good cameras this additional equipment are available, whether the third party or which are similar to camera brands.
If we do not have a shutter release, we can use the delay on the camera.

Last
Out of the house, look for a moment, and snap, snap,. snap! If you dont,when will you take a landscape photograph?

Hopefully helpful!

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Photographing In The Fog

When we are traveling to nature tourism, especially in upland areas of cold, someday may appear fog that shrouded the mountains. In addition, it would bother us in taking a good photograph images for landscape photos or the others objects. It make we are upset or disappointed because we cannot documentation our pictures in the moment.

Actually the picture of photograph can be produced by the light. In this case, to describe the use of the flash object will actually causing the result of the images became unclear because the fog image will become more contras so that no image is created. Otherwise, if we do not use the flash, the picture produced will be dark or black only.

Maybe with some of these tips will make it the better images. Setting the digital camera metering at +1 / +2 stop. MF format would be better than using the AF format. May be this way not good enough.
Another way is by setting the digital camera with a slow speed and small openings. Then using the Timer when take the picture. Use the tripod or something like and inactive flash conditions.

Good luck...

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Close Up Photography, an Emotional Approach to Nature Photography

by Phil McDermott,-

From wide open spaces to rugged mountains, rolling meadows to dramatic coastlines they all play an important part in the nature of landscape. However, with such a view it is often hard to appreciate the beauty because there is nowhere for the eye to settle and concentrate on.

Why not take a fresh approach to nature photography and concentrate on part of the view and take time to consider color, shape and texture to really appreciate the finer features of the scene.

Enter the world of close up photography that lies just beyond the familiar but so rich in detail and beauty. If we look through our close up lens with an open mind, imagination and childlike curiosity there are many close up photography opportunities for us to consider.

As nature photographers we can take this concept further, for example that distant bright yellow patch becomes on closer inspection a riotous stand of broom flowers. Closer still we see clearly the intricate detail in each flower and seedpod that we can record in our close up photography.

Now go really close, look at the seedpod with its gossamer covering of fine hairs and we start to appreciate how things fit together. Whilst this is not a scientific approach it provides a raw and basic understanding, offers enlightenment and lets us become an integral part of nature. So by going close up and concentrating on a small part of the whole we have simplified our close up photography subject, made it basic, powerful and memorable,.

There is no need to go far, finding close up nature photography opportunities should be seen as a journey of the soul, inner vision and contemplation rather than visiting a far off place. Often the deeper we look into our close up photography subjects the more rewarding they become. Without hesitation they reveal their treasures allowing us time to admire their quality. With this awareness the nature photographer with a passion for close up photography is indeed privileged.

Appreciating that all these parts form an important relationship with each other makes it is easier to understand that the whole is made up of many unique parts and like pieces of a jigsaw they combine together to create a complete picture. Indeed, only by appreciating the significance of the smallest parts of our surroundings can we can start to make sense of nature as a whole and incorporate this awareness into our close up photography.

Emotion and drama and be found in often overlooked close up photography cameos, like a delicate flower growing defiantly in a boulder crevice, its tenuous grip on life dependent on the sustenance from the crevice debris. Yet it lives on year after year, testimony to its determination and resilience. It is this inter-action that is so enduring and compelling that makes these interesting subjects perfect for nature photography.

As a close up photographer getting close up to nature allows a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the natural world. For example a cold clear winter day with breathtaking crispness can be ideal for close up photography, in these conditions there are magical patterns in snow, frost and shimmering icicles. Ice patterns make perfect winter close up photography subjects; they literally capture a moment frozen in time. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions some have smooth curves whilst others show harsh jagged lines providing creative close up photography opportunities.

Early morning in spring and summer can be a wonderful time to find close up photography subjects. Flowers and grasses covered with dew or fine rain make fascinating close up photography studies, the fine hairs hold onto droplets of water almost defy gravity. In the right conditions there may be insects that after a night’s inactivity have become encrusted with minute droplets. Butterflies make excellent close up photography subjects and look stunning covered in dew as they sparkle like a myriad of jewels.

Light quality plays an important role in our close up photography, if it is too harsh the increase in contrast will actually block out the very close up detail we are trying to photograph. It is far better to have diffused light that occurs with high thin cloud cover. It provides a much softer quality of light and allows the detail, texture and nuances to be clearly seen and recorded in our close up photography. Color also influences our interpretation of the subject, vibrant colors like red and yellow for example suggest dominance and power, whereas muted tones like grey and browns convey basic, earthy and tranquil feelings.

So, if we approach our close up photography with childlike wonder and a renewed vision the natural world is undoubtedly a beautiful place. To fully appreciate it requires a little time and an inquisitive mind, it will reward you with the knowledge that even the simplest of things can bring satisfaction, contentment, harmony and inner peace.

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Hasselblad H4D-60

Hasselblad marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. The H4D-60 will feature True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate for photography professionals.

Press Release:
With the release of the new H4D-60, the first H4D camera and most recent addition to the Hasselblad H System, Hasselblad marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. The H4D-60 will feature True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate for photography professionals.

As part of the celebration honoring the first manned lunar landing and the first lunar photography,
camera manufacturer Hasselblad is announcing another first, the launch of the H4D camera series.
The first model in the new series is the H4D-60, featuring a 60 Megapixel medium format sensor.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce the introduction of the H4D,” says Christian Poulsen, CEO
of Hasselblad. “This step represents the natural evolution of our H System and of our photographic
strategy in general. As part of our efforts to inspire 35mm photographers to step up to the quality
found in high-end DSLRs, the H4D series is built upon the successful H3D platform and features our
revolutionary True Focus technology. The H4D also comes bundled with our new Phocus 2.0 imaging software.”

True Focus and Absolute Position Lock
“True Focus helps solve one of the most lingering challenges that faces serious photographers today,” he continues, “true, accurate focusing throughout the image field. Without multi-point auto-focus a typical auto-focus camera can only correctly measure focus on a subject that is in the center of the image. When a photographer wants to focus on a subject outside the center area, they have to lock focus on the subject and then re-compose the image. In short distances especially, this re-composing causes focus error, as the plane of focus sharpness follows the camera’s movement, perpendicular to the axis of the lens.”

The traditional solution for most DSLRs has been to equip the camera with a multi-point AF sensor.
These sensors allow the photographer to fix an off-center focus point on an off-center subject, which is then focused correctly. Such multi-point AF solutions are often tedious and inflexible to work with, however, and do not really solve the problem, claims Poulsen.

“Photographers have grown accustomed to using auto-focus systems in their day to day work and
we see increasingly higher numbers of focus points advertised in each new wave of AF products. The term ‘multi-point auto-focus’ is a bit misleading, however, for cameras with sensors larger than APS,” claims Poulsen. “Due to the physics of an SLR-camera, the off-center focus points that are offered are all clustered relatively close to the center of the image. To set focus outside of this center area, the photographer is still forced to focus first, and then shift the camera to reframe, with the resulting loss of focus as a result.”

To overcome this problem, Hasselblad has used modern yaw rate sensor technology to measure angular velocity in an innovative way. The result is the new Absolute Position Lock (APL) processor, which forms the foundation of Hasselblad’s True Focus feature. The APL processor accurately logs camera movement during any re-composing, then uses these exact measurements to calculate the necessary focus adjustment, and issues the proper commands to the lens’s focus motor so it can compensate.

The APL processor computes the advanced positional algorithms and carries out the required focus
corrections at such rapid speed that no shutter lag occurs. The H4D’s firmware then further perfects the focus using the precise data retrieval system found on all HC/HCD lenses.

“This technology takes AF to an entirely new level, correcting for the vertical and horizontal focus-shift that results from the rotation of the camera around an axis close to camera,” says Poulsen, “In simple terms, True Focus allows the photographer to concentrate on their composition, to focus on their creativity, while True Focus takes care of the other, more mechanical focus.”

True Focus on the H4D can be set to work at a half press of the camera release button, or via any user button programmed to AF-drive when the camera is in manual focus mode. This, the first release of True Focus, only corrects the horizontal and vertical positioning of the camera, and does not correct for any focus-shift which results from larger lateral movements of the camera during recomposing. The True Focus technology and APL (both patent pending) mark a significant milestone for Hasselblad’s high-end DSLR strategy and represent the result of many years of development work.

Faster Software, Shorter Learning Curve
The new user interface in Phocus 2.0 drastically reduces the learning curve for high-end imaging. The average photographer will be up to speed in less than 15 minutes, claims Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen. Functionality has not been lowered, however, with Phocus 2.0 matching or bettering the speed, functions, and usability found in Lightroom, Aperture, and Capture One.

“We’ve increased speed, increased functionality, and dramatically increased the speed at which
photographers can learn to use this advanced software,” says Poulsen. “In less than 5 minutes an
amateur photographer can learn to work with our images. In less than 10 minutes, learn how to setup for production of high-res files for Photoshop. In less than 20 minutes learn how to shoot tethered as a professional studio photographer. The new version of Phocus is just another step in our efforts to make complex functionality simple to use, allowing photographers to focus on their shooting.”

This philosophy lies behind a range of the features found in the H4D, including Hasselblad Natural
Color Solution (HNCS), which achieves consistent color reproduction using a single color profile, and digital lens correction (DAC) which perfects each image captured through the HC/HCD lenses, by removing any trace of distortion, vignetting or chromatic aberrations. It was also the key motivation for what will surely be the most attractive feature in the new H4D, Hasselblad True Focus, explains Poulsen.

The Hasselblad H4D-60 will be available for delivery in January 2010 at a price of 28,995 Euro. The
Hasselblad H4D-50 will replace the H3DII-50. Delivery of the H4D-50 will begin in Q1, 2010 at a price of 19,995 Euro. H3DII-50 cameras purchased between now and Q1, 2010 will be upgraded to
the H4D-50 free of charge. A program is also being announced for owners of H3D-31 and H3D-39
cameras to step up onto the H4D platform.






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Autumn family portraits

Autumn portrait advice - We spoke to Chris Hanley to get a few tips for capturing those perfect family portraits.

Autumn is a great season for many reasons, the obvious being the colours of leaves, but also the colour temperature of the light. The light of early mornings and late afternoon compliments the subtle warm hues of ambers, yellows and rusty reds. According to Chris, it's a great time for family portraits as they can get outdoors, enjoy the space and feel like a family. Autumn portraits also have a great informality about them, so people feel more confident in casual clothing.

Woods, leafy parks and lanes are always the first choice for locations and from a selling point of view, that's what people are looking for. These shoots take time to get ready so Chris does this at a coffee break, or if there's a change of tops, hats and scarves.

“The most popular selling shots are shafts of sunlight through autumnal leaf canopies, children having leaf fights, and lovers kicking leaves. All clichéd but still very much in demand. If you can do autumn leaves by open water...even better,” explained Chris.

What makes Autumn shots great is the quality of the natural light, so make sure you use plenty. Chris also uses Speedlights, but selectively. If you decide to use some added lights, research will help you know where they need to be placed. Remember, children have a short attention span so setting the lights up while they have a snack break is a good idea.

If the location for the shoot is new then Chris recommends you visit it before the actual day. Doing this will give you time to check where lights will need to be placed, where the sun will be, or where to take cover from the rain. Another good tip is to always look back - the best shot might be behind you.

As well as looking to shoot the typical autumn shots, you should also look at the colours and suggest to clients or parents what clothing would co-ordinate best.

“Autumn shoots are also about using leaf colour as colourful, out of focus backdrops. Shooting a portrait of a young child with a burgundy hat and scarf on a 135mm lens at f/4 about 3 meters from a Virginia creeper clad wall makes for a stunning seasonal shot.”

According to Chris, very subjective, multicolours work great with children while colours which compliment work well for adults. A good piece of advice is to get a colour wheel from a good decorating shop or paint manufacturer and see what works well and what will push the boundaries.

Even though early morning or later afternoon is always a good time for photography, the beauty of shooting in the Autumn months is that the sun is quite low in the sky all day so it doesn't present too much of an issue.

“Early morning and late afternoon are always the best times. Light can be quite harsh on cold frosty mornings, but use this to good effect and shoot contre jour. Three stops over into the light will give you those really milky shots that were 'en vogue' in the 70's and now very much fashionable again.”

When it comes to the actual shoot, a little direction helps but watching the family enjoy the space, the occasion and each others company makes for great pictures. Meeting for a coffee before and having a chat about the shoot and the colour combinations they can create from the accessories in their bags is a good way to break the ice. From there, Chris says just walk with them and the inspiration will come.

With any portrait shoot, Chris suggests you give your clients choice. He will always shoot a selection of shots which includes full length, 3/4, head and shoulders and relaxed, informal shots.

“Quite often they will go for something where they only feature as 15% of the picture. These tend to be the big wall pictures where they are part of an overall scene, without it making the statement 'hey look at us'. Kids portraits tend to be more in your face style.”

Chris likes to shoot on a longer lens like a 70-200mm around the f/4 mark. He likes the way this lens makes the backgrounds appear compressed, and how colours and highlights really stand-out. For the wider, big shot, he would much rather walk back to fit it in, rather than opt for the easier choice of reaching for the 18-55mm. In his film days, Chris would be shooting on scotchchrome for muted pastel colours and grain. Digitally, his scotchchrome look is created in post production.

“As a rule of thumb, select the lowest ISO you can which gives you the shutter speed to freeze client movement, especially kids.”

Autumn shoots can be incredibly popular if you sell the concept correctly. Most families have summer pictures, so getting wrapped up with hats and scarves, gloves and fleeces
make for great 'lifestyle images'.

“We have regular clients who will have a shoot once a year, which we'll shoot in different seasons, but by far the most popular are autumn shoots invoked by the colours and the light of the pictures.”

For more information about Chris Hanley and the one-on-one or small group days he has to offer visit his website.





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Capturing the magical time of twilight

Twilight photography technique - Photographer Delly Carr and Sony Europe have some tips to make your twilight photographs shine.

If you like early mornings or are out during the early evening why not stop and capture all that twilight has to offer. Twilight photography can be demanding at times, but can offer such beautiful elements to a final composition adding colour, shadows, mystique, beauty, romance and stillness to an image.

“Photography is there to challenge you, so you use what elements you have in your bag of tricks (camera, lenses, f-stops, shutter speeds, ISO, tripods), you see what the twilight light is offering and then you manipulate those elements we just spoke of to get the best possible result,” said Delly Carr. “It can be like maths I guess. The beautiful twilight photograph that I want = a certain ISO + a certain shutter speed + a certain f-stop. You must know how each part of that formula behaves to get the right result, that is the image you envisaged in your mind before you actually took it.”

He continued: “Twilight is not a point and shoot scenario, it’s about using a 'photographic-net' to capture the beauty that twilight will offer you. Otherwise the holes in your net will be too big, and twilight will sneak on by and you've lost the chance. You need to burn up some of your brain cells before you get out there by thinking it all through.”

According to Delly, the cameras and technology made today make it so much easier to shoot in fading light. The sensors too are so much better than the generations of cameras before. But even though this is true, a good fast lens is still needed.

“The better the lens you have, and I mean one from a good brand name, the greater you chances of getting a beautiful image. We will all have our own agendas and favoured subjects when taking a photograph, so use a lens that will get the job done, a lens that you feel comfortable with, and a lens that is technically A1.”

As twilight photography can be challenging a tripod is an essential piece of equipment. It's important to be steady and calm and a good tripod will help with that.

“Being comfortable, confident and calm makes it a whole lot easier to take twilight related photographs.”

At twilight there are no set rules on what you should photograph instead, Delly suggests you choose the one you're most interested in. By picking a subject you're passionate about you'll have the passion and the resulting enthusiasm to use twilight's magical properties to make your favourite photographic subject even better.

“If you get a beautiful twilight picture of the thing you like to shoot the most, does it get any better than that?”

Don't forget that experimenting is also good. Why not think outside the box a little and photograph twilight from the inside. Use the golden glow that filters through an open window for example. Or, if you're at an event similar to that of Sony's twilight football games and you don't have a fast enough shutter speed to capture the action, then think of some alternatives. Why not try shooting silhouettes or pan blur for example.

“Just understand light's properties, how it looks, how it behaves and how it changes over a time period. If you do this, you can use light as your paintbrush.”

Visit Delly Carr's website.

If you like twilight photography take a look at Sony's Twilight football event.





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READ MORE - Capturing the magical time of twilight