Photographing Children

Photographing Children

Children can be captured on film successfully in many different circumstances and locations. For most children, getting their photograph taken is fun and they will perform for the photographer. This in turn brings their personality to life on film.

There are a few simple steps to successful child photography besides the usual photographic skills.

Take the photograph from the child's level. Avoid standing toweringly over a child when taking their photograph; keep the camera at about eye level of the child.

Be quick and decisive with the camera. Don't delay in taking a photograph; children can very quickly get bored. If possible, plan your photograph in advance and have everything ready.

For outdoor photographs or shots using available light, use as fast a shutter speed as possible. Children move frequently and quickly, often becoming a blur in a photograph.

Make taking a child's photograph fun. Make a game of taking their photograph. Have them play acting or let them dress up. Under no circumstances show a loss of patience with a child or force them to pose when they do not want to. Outside of the moral issues involved, you are never likely to get the image you are looking for in this situation. If the child is not interested, quit and try again another time.
Note: Be careful taking images of children that aren't yours! You may be innocently capturing them at play but there are those around who may have different views. Ask the parents permission first. Be safe, happy shooting.

Get Natural
Good natural images can be achieved while children are playing. Good locations are in a garden, park, playground or theme parks.
The important thing to remember when taking shots outdoor photos is to use fast shutter speeds, this helps to freeze movement. Focusing should be spot on with enough depth of field present for the subject but still throwing the background out of focus, this gives more emphasis on the child.

http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus06.html

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