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5 photography tips

Posted on by Michelle

 

1. Pick a good background – get close up to remove clutter or use a lower aperture to blur the background. If you can show the background scene and give the photo some context that’s great too, but no trees sticking out of the head.

Boys in Window
Boys in Window

2. Put/turn the face to nice light. If there is an option, move so that the light is shining on their face, or ask them to point their nose to the light. You don’t want dappled light or heavy shadows distracting you from seeing the subject. If they are looking into full sun light, get them to close their eyes and open them on your command.

Girl looking out window
Girl looking out window

3. Focus and hold the camera still. To prevent out of focus photos, don’t move. Support the weight by locking your elbows in. Keep you feet apart and stable. If you’re shooting a moving subject use a faster shutter speed if you can adjust it. The more brighter or darker the situation and light, the more you need to hold still to get the best results.

Honey Blue Photography - Girl in window in the Hunter Valley
Girl in Window

4. Take multiple shots – not just one or two. Pick the best shot of the best moment.

  • honey blue photography girl playing guitar
    Photo 1
  • honey blue photography girl playing guitar
    Photo 2
  • honey blue photography girl playing guitar
    Photo 3

5. Don’t stress, be happy if your subject is happy. Don’t get frustrated or upset as it makes the situation harder for your subjects.

Remember

Keep Practising and take lots of photos and share your best ones.

Understand your camera controls and settings and how to switch between them quickly.

Continue learning about photography, different techniques and gear options.

Talk to people, to feel comfortable talking to people.

Slip n slide – fun, fun, fun

Posted on by Michelle

A few tips and tricks if you are going to photograph Slip n Slides.

Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography - Get close
Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography

  • Get the responsible adult (not you obviously) to manage the kids (sliders), you will need to watch out for yourself.
  • Choose a hill for more fun and better angles for photography.
  • Get close but don’t get run over, keep to the side to avoid sliders.
  • Get low down, so you can capture the face and expressions and avoid shadows.
  • You will get wet as the water is running downhill, protect yourself and your gear.

Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography - Capturing the hoser
Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography

  • Capture the hoser too, they often have great expressions and actions.

Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography
Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography

  • Capture the background kids playing and waiting.
  • Get the kids to use a go pro to capture their point of view.
  • Move the slide if that area gets too messy/muddy.
  • Get more than one at a time (if they’re careful).
  • Camera will focus on drops rather than face – it can look good too.
  • Photograph the spectators as well, especially if they are getting in on the fun.

Technical Settings

  • Use a long lens to be as far away as possible – in these shots I used an Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO Micro-four thirds lens, which has the 35mm equivalent of an 80-300mm lens and it’s weather proof.
  • I used a 2.8 f-stop but you may want more depth of field to capture more background behind your sliders. Also if you are using a full-frame camera your depth-of-field at 2.8 will be much less and so harder to get in focus.
  • It goes without saying. Use a fast shutter speed. These are 1/2500s. To capture the water drops moving, you can drop it down a bit slower. Some motion blur adds to the feel.
  • You can use a continuous shutter setting on your camera or just shoot lots of frames.
  • Manual focus can work well if you pick a spot to focus on and let the subject slide there. Or you can try continuous auto-focus.
  • Enjoy!

Slip n Slide by Honey Blue Photography
Fill the frame

Freeze the water drops

Grab a Go-Pro to record the fun

Have fun!

Disclaimer – be careful and be safe.