SKP Photo Tips - Aperture

Warning!  We're about to move out of the point-and-shoot settings on your camera and into the Creative Modes side of the dial.  Oh noes!!!  But before we do, here's a poll on your initial reaction to the title of this blog.  Take a moment to fill it out and remember - all votes are anonymous.  We don't keep track of you :o)





Okay let's get on with the discussion of aperture - we're talking f-stops and Depth of Field.  Have a look at your camera's mode dial; on one side you'll see a bunch of icons and on the other, some letters.

Image courtesy of Nikon.com

What we're looking for is the aperture priority mode, which is 'A' on Nikon and 'Av' on Canon.  When you set the camera to this function, you are giving yourself control over how large or small the aperture is, basically: how wide the shutter opens when you take a photo.  Whoopie doo, you say?  Well, remember the little girl from our post on storytelling? (Click HERE)  I had the f-stop set too low, giving a very shallow depth of field which makes it hard to tell what she's looking at.

Whoah Nellie!  Too many terms that need definitions.  Aperture priority mode allows you to select what's called the 'f-stop' by using either a button or another dial, depending on your camera (check your user manual).  And here's the tricky bit - the lower the f-stop, the wider the aperture.  Huh.  Don't ask me why - I'm a creative type, remember?

Okay, now for the next definition:  Depth of Field.  This determines how much of your photo, from foreground to background, will be in focus.  If your depth of field is shallow (or narrow), a good part of the image will be out of focus, highlighting the main subject, as in this photo:

See how the background is blurred?  That's what depth of field can do.  Notice how her eyes are in focus but the raindrop on her hair is out of focus - that's a very narrow depth of field.  In the photo below, the mushrooms are in focus but everything in front of and behind them is out of focus.

So now that we know what f-stop and depth of field are, we need to know how they work together.  The lower the f-stop, the wider the aperture, right?  What's easier to remember is: the lower the f-stop, the shallower the depth of field.  They both get smaller or larger together.  An f-stop of f5.6 will give a very narrow depth of field, while a higher f-stop of, say, f22 will give you a photo that's in focus pretty much from front to back.

But why do we want to bother with all this?  Look again at the statue above.  If I had taken that with a higher f-stop, the background would be more in focus, introducing too much clutter into the photo.  The statue (which is the subject) would compete with the non-essential parts of the image.  Show the viewer only what you want them to see.

These next two photos are taken with a higher f-stop.  The colours of the car are reflected in the trees, but instead of blurring out the trees completely I opened up the aperture a little, allowing the viewer to see where the car is.

This beach photo is taken with the highest f-stop of these four images, to get as much as of the vista as possible in focus.

There is, however, a problem with opening up the aperture.  A wider opening means... you've got it - more light gets in.  And it's not much good to us having a bunch of photos that have fantastic focus but are all washed out.  Rats.  But not to worry, there's a way to fix the problem.  It's a balancing act between the f-stop (aperture) and shutter speed (how long the shutter is open).  We'll talk about shutter speed in another post.  In the meantime, see what happens when you play with aperture - have some fun!

Photo Shoot - Santa!

The photo shoot with Santa at Elf Central (click HERE) was a whole load of fun.  Here are some of the kiddies that came in to meet the whiskery guy and let him know what they'd like him to bring this year.

Photo Shoot - Buford GA Child Photographer

Remember this little guy?  He had a birthday earlier this year (click HERE) and mum decided to have another photo shoot, this time for Christmas cards.  He's unbelievably full of energy - who wants to sit still when there's a world of fun and interesting stuff to explore?!  And especially on a warm, sunny day.

Which one do you think she chose for the cards?

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Headshot Photographer

This client opened her own business earlier this year in the medical field and needed headshots for her website.  She was a great model - didn't tire of my requests to tilt her head "this way, down a little, up just a bit."  The hardest thing about headshots is getting the subject to relax enough to lose the "I can't stand mugshots!" expression.  But she dropped it very quickly and produced some lovely smiles, like the one below.

SKP PhotoTips - Guest Blog

We have a bonus PhotoTips blog this week - and not only that, it's a guest blog!  Jim Harmer at Improve Photography posted a tip on his blog discussing the best way to hold a DSLR camera.  Click HERE to read his post (link posted with permission from Improve Photography).  Enjoy!

SKP PhotoTips - It's Storytime!

Famous author Ernest Hemingway wrote a story in six words: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."  Think about it for a bit - there's a huge story behind those few small words.

[Right here I sidetracked myself by doing a search on writing a story in six words and found a site with a bunch of them.  My favourite was from Alan Moore: "Machine.  Unexpectedly, I'd invented a time".  But I digress...]

In photography we have a similar opportunity.  One image can portray a powerful message - think about the famous Vietnam War photo taken by Nick Ut (click HERE).  While we are not necessarily in a position to capture such a haunting image, we nevertheless can look around us for ways share a story with our audience.

This first photo is an example of not quite giving enough detail for the viewer to allow his or her imagination to run.

I was inside a shop and turned around to see the little girl in total awe of the window display.  To be honest, this is more of an opportunistic snap than a composed photo - I knew I'd lose the moment if I took the few seconds I needed to change settings on the camera.  It's still a cute photo of the girl, but the viewer can't tell the reason for her expression.  What she's gazing at is a window full of little rubber duckies; the classic plain duckie, a policeman duckie, a country duckie - all sorts of different and fun characters.  I'm pretty sure I had a similar look on my face when I stood outside the shop...

I took the following photo of a tiny snail on an epic journey this past summer while on a hike in the North Georgia mountains - a simple photo that allows the viewer to construct a quick story in their mind.

As a side note, it's also a lesson for us photographers - don't forget to pay attention to the small stuff all around us.  And that's pretty much what we're all about - noticing and capturing the moments that others might not see.

Lastly, here's a photo from the first post on this blog - of the Atlanta Renegades rugby team (click HERE for that post).  It was an emphatically one-sided match, as can be seen from the mid-first-half score of 64-0 and the complete resignation of the opposing team player.

So go on - get out there and tell those stories that are all around you!  There's sure to be plenty of them coming up in the next few weeks, with family and friends gathering.

SKP PhotoTips - Winter Blues or Glorious Gloom?

We've had gray, rainy days for so long now it seems as if the sun has migrated south along with the birds.  And in a way it has, seeing as my homeland New Zealand is starting to bask in the light and warmth of early summer.

Nevertheless, from a photographer's viewpoint gloomy days are glorious!  The light is soft; not harsh as it would be on a sunny day.  The only thing you need to worry about is getting rained on with that camera.  Autumn leaves look pretty against a brilliant blue sky, but in my opinion they look even better against a backdrop of soft gray clouds.  They're not competing for the eye's attention.

Sooner or later, the clouds will move on and we'll have sunny days again.  So what can we do to rescue our photos from the harsh, flat light of an otherwise beautiful blue day?  People can be moved into the shade (but watch out for dappled light as it filters through the trees) or if you have a handy assistant, they can hold up a shade.  You don't need to rush out and buy a set of shades and reflectors - they can be expensive.  A light-coloured sheet will do in a pinch, just be aware that the colour may cast a hue on your subject.

But what do we do with landscapes?  The best times for shooting outdoors are dusk and dawn.  That's when the shadows are longer, giving more depth to the vista and the light's coming in from the side instead of directly above.  And we all have enough tired-looking shadows under our eyes without using the sun to emphasise them!

Besides that, the light is magical.  The basic rule of thumb is roughly 30 minutes before sunrise to an hour after (at most) and 30 minutes either side of sunset.  This will give you the rosy hues of dawn and the golden light of day's end.  And really dramatic skyscapes as the sun pokes through after a storm.  What more can a photographer want?  Don't waste time in front of a computer trying to mimic the beauty that's around you; get out there with a camera and make it yours!

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Family Photographer

Here's another great-looking, fun family.  These guys were a pleasure to work with and even though everyone knows kids this age can't stand posing for photos - check out those gorgeous smiles!  Hmmm... kinda makes that one hard to believe... :o)

But Wait... There's More! Christmas & Holiday Card Special

Looking for Christmas and Holiday cards?

You've come to the right place!

We're in that kind of mood... so we thought two special offers was appropriate for December.  In addition to the Photos with Santa event at Elf Central, we're having a special on Christmas and Holiday cards this month!

Book a December photo session of up to 

30 Minutes 

and order up to  

45 Cards 

using photos from your session for only 

$95!

And don't forget - we bring the camera to you!

Offer expires 31 Dec 2011.  Price applies to regular cards; metallic finish 10% extra.  Price shown does not include tax.  Travel distances greater than 30 miles may incur extra charges.

Photos with Santa!

Remember the Family Fun Fall Festival $5 photo booth?  We're doing it again with another special photo shoot - this time with Santa! Yes, that's right:

$5 Photos with Santa!!!

Join us at Elf Central, 

Saturday 10 Dec 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

You want some uninterrupted time for Christmas shopping without kiddies underfoot running rampant in the toy store, begging please please PLEASE can I have that toy???!!!!  Am I right?  We have the solution to your problem.  

Drop your littlies off at Elf Central where they can make crafts, have lunch and a whole load of fun with their fellow elves, as well as having their photo taken with Santa.  We'll print a photo for you right then and there, for only $5 - and if you want another one, we'll give it to you for $7.50 for the two photos!

Register with Elf Central to reserve a spot for your children for the activities and daycare.  Please note that you do not need to leave your children at Elf Central to have their photos taken with Santa.

Elf Central

(The Learning Centre)

450 Brannon Rd, Cumming GA 30041

Ph: 678.455.8614

Email: elephantdirector@hotmail.com

Website: http://cumming.tlechildcare.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElfCentral 

SKP PhotoTips: Be Prepared - Not Just for Boy Scouts

One of the things I most like to do is to photograph people doing their thing.  People act differently when they are aware that a lens is pointed at them.  While you may be able to get natural expressions, for the most part people will not allow you to see a less-than-perfect or a vulnerable side to them.  And it is often these moments that result in captivating photos, whether they are fun or thought-provoking.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting you become a creepy-stalker-type!  People don't like that too much either...  Simply be ready to catch the unexpected photo:  leave the camera turned on and the lens cap off.  And always put the lens cap in the same safe place to avoid losing it.  I've lost two over the past 20-something years and it's never a happy thing.


Using a zoom lens helps capture a genuinely candid moment.  You have the ability to distance yourself from the subject, yet crop in closely on them.  Here are a few examples of catching the subjects being themselves.  In each case, they were aware I was in the area with a camera, but they didn't realise they had my attention at that particular moment.

Father and son sharing a quiet moment during a hectic, fun-filled day.

Waiting while his family gets ready for the photo shoot.

Explaining something to Dad.

Beautiful, serene pose.  But what she's really thinking about is if she'll get some of that cake and ice cream.

Flour bomb fights.  No better time for a photographer to have a zoom lens!

Posed photos are important and will always have their place, but I especially enjoy photographing someone not on display - and then showing them how beautiful they are.

Photo Shoot - Alpharetta GA Family Photographer

We're back!  How was your Thanksgiving break?  My husband and I went out to New Mexico and Colorado to spend Thanksgiving with his family - we had a great time with lovely people.  I must point out that it was warmer and sunnier out there than it has been in Georgia the past couple of days...

Remember the photo shoot give away we had back in September?  (Click HERE)  We finally got together with the winner and had a whole load of fun getting some family photos.  Here are a few of the shots from their session.

SKP PhotoTips - Say "Cheese!" (Holiday Photos)

Over the past few days some of my clients have ordered Christmas cards using images from their photo shoots, making me realise it's coming up on that time of year - very quickly.  In two weeks' time, people all over the USA will be gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving, with Christmas and other holiday season celebrations occurring around the world soon after.  What are you going to do to record this year's memories?  Here are a few tips for taking great group photos.

One of the hardest things you'll face when photographing groups is to make sure everyone has their eyes open and is looking at the camera.  I learned a simple trick from photographer Scott Kelby - ask the whole group to close their eyes and open them on your count: "3, 2, 1 - open!" and then wait one extra count before taking the shot.  It works like a charm!  The extra count allows the subjects to relax and avoids having wide-eyed, freaked-out-looking people in your photos.

If you are working with a large group, point out to them that if they can't see the lens of your camera, they won't be in the photo.  It's amazing how many people apparently forget this and suddenly start shuffling around to make sure they have a clear view of your lens.

In the northern hemisphere we'll likely be indoors for our holiday parties and odds are you'll need to use a flash.  Avoid using mirrors and windows as backdrops, unless you like the look of an all-encompassing reflection flare.  Built-in flashes seem to be designed to make everyone look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.  Simply fold a tissue and place it over the flash to soften the light, making your subjects look warmer and lessening harsh shadows.

Most cameras have a red-eye reduction feature, but you can help prevent this little nasty by adding as much light as you can to the room.  Turning on all the lights shrinks the subjects' pupils - and every little thing helps!

One last tip - smile and have fun!  If you're grumpy and getting frustrated, no-one will want to smile.  Give them a reason to be happy about looking at you.

Photo Shoot - Corporate

Recently I was contracted to take product photos for a client's website: The Wilkes Tradition - a meat market located in Suwanee, GA.  It was a fun shoot; the owners and staff are friendly and the store smelled divine.  Which was also a downside because my tummy rumbled the whole time!

If you're ever in the area, drop in to Wilkes of Suwanee.  They have a lunch menu that pulls a good crowd in and a large selection of fresh meats and dry/wet marinades.  If you're not local, check out their website for online ordering.

Here are a couple of images from their shoot:

Holiday Photos

Yup, it's coming up on that time of year again - already!  And for your Christmas or holiday season photos we now have greeting cards available.

Book your individual or family photo session now to make sure you get your greeting cards on time!  And watch this space for more information on our $5 Santa Event in December.

SKP PhotoTips - Focus on What's Important

What's the first thing you notice in the photo below?

Okay, apart from the huge big watermark splashed across the boy's face... (which, by the way is to protect the photo on my client's behalf - she already has everything she wants from the photo shoot).

Have you ever noticed that even animals will seek out your eyes when looking at you?  They have a natural instinct to look into another being's eyes; the same as we do.

When it comes to portrait photos, it's critical to have at least one eye in focus.  Just as it confuses the viewer when you don't give the photo a clear subject (click HERE for our discussion on that topic), if both of the subject's eyes are blurry, the photo becomes frustrating for the viewer.

In the photo above, the boy's right eye is out of focus due to the narrow Depth of Field (we'll talk about that in a future post), but his left eye is sharp, giving the viewer a clear focal point.  And it doesn't matter whether your subject is a little boy or a squirrel - if you're photographing the face, the eyes are all-important.

Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Family Photographer

The leaves are all sorts of pretty colours, making it a wonderfully fun time of year for family photos.  Here are some from a shoot I did earlier this month.

 

SKP PhotoTips - It's All About Perspective

Odds are you've either taken or seen a photo of a 'miniature' person standing in the palm of their friend - you can have a lot of fun playing with perspective and distance.  On the other hand (excuse the pun!), remember when you took a great photo but it didn't quite portray how big or how small the subject was?  It's a good idea to incorporate something into your image that gives the viewer a sense of scale. 

We put in a veggie garden this year - here's a photo of a couple of red potatoes we grew:

They look a little on the smallish side, but you don't realise just how small they are until I include something that gives you a better idea:

As you can imagine, I was a little underwhelmed by these two.  For the record, we did harvest some larger potatoes, but the sweet potatoes were a much better crop.

But you can see what I mean about giving the viewer a reference point.  The photo below is of a famous Kauri tree in New Zealand.  It's of great significance to the Maori people, who named it Tane Mahuta, which means God of the Forest.  The Kauri is a beautiful tree with a scalloped bark that glows silver in the sunlight as it stands above the canopy of the forest.

You're not really sure how big it is until you notice the people at the bottom of the frame.  The woman closest to the camera is still a good distance from the tree, as you can see by the size of the blonde man, wearing a gray, sleeveless shirt.  He is standing on a platform built to protect the tree's shallow roots from tourists and is further from the tree than the woman is from him.  As a further reference, the man is roughly 1.83m (6ft) tall.

The next time you're out taking photos, think about how to help the viewer see what you saw.  Want to remember how tiny your baby's hands are?  Capture an image of him wrapping his fingers around one of yours.  Cradle that tiny kitten in the palm of your hand.  Be inventive and have fun!