Whatever your age and number many times as you sit on Santa's lap, you still have this romantic vision of reality? Unfortunately, like most dreams, it takes time to wake up. In most cases, when you see the pictures on the computer screen, or when you get your photos in the studio development, that the shock occurs. Like most amateur photographers, you're more likely that your Christmas photos are "normal" than masterpieces. And, unlike the portrait photographers who have made this subject their profession, it is impossible to repeat a missed photo. When it comes Christmas photos , you only have one chance to seize the moment that presents itself. The rule of five seconds.
If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises this year, I suggest you try the rule of five seconds. This rule does not guarantee that the photos will end in a New York gallery, but it will help you get results that are closer to your vision of fictionalized reality.
In simple terms, this is the rule of five seconds. Before pressing the shutter button, take a break for five seconds and ask yourself the following question: "Is there something there that I can do to improve the composition of the picture?" In 90% of cases, there is indeed something you can do, and these five seconds will give you the opportunity make the necessary corrections.
During the same five seconds, see this list in four points.
Topic:
Identify what constitutes the real subject of the photo. For example, does the object or person in front of this item?
Lighting:
The light is too low or too strong? Do you need a flash? People have the sun directly in the face, forcing them to knit the eyebrows? Can I adjust the lighting or add more?
Composition:
What is behind the subject, before or around it? What can you do to change the composition in order to get rid of items that could compete? Do you have the time to move, or to better frame your subject?
Shutter speed:
Is the shutter speed is correct? If you are slower than 1 / 30 second, do you have a tripod?
Let these four elements in more detail ...
1. The subject
In photography, the first rule is to clearly define the subject. Although it may seem simple, just think of all those pictures of people or groups of people showing living room furniture, television or even a table full of glass half full. When you look at these pictures, your eyes are round the photo to search the main subject.
A camera has only one goal to show the world, not two like we do. To get a better perspective, it is enough to cover one eye. Once you've covered one eye, you see the subject as the lens sees, in two dimensions. Examine the subject in the viewfinder and change positions until you find the best angle for your photograph.
The other problem, too full of pictures. We want to include too many elements in the picture. During the holiday season, for example, people want to take pictures of their family to include the decorations and activities that took place in the background. If this is your case, ask yourself if it is people or decorations you want to highlight. If you want to focus on people, make sure the Christmas tree that is in the background allows you to get the desired ambience not too distracting.
2. Lighting
Whether you're indoors or outside when you take photos of Christmas, consider using a flash. In bright conditions, as is the case outside, the flash can help reduce shadows. Regarding the photos taken indoors, provide the flash light level required to obtain a clear picture.
If you are outdoors, avoid the old trick of placing people facing the sun. You should ask them to turn back to the sun, then use flash to fill in shaded areas and give them a natural tint. By positioning your subjects so that the sun is behind them, you get a halo which give excellent results. This prevents them frown eyebrows because of strong sunlight.
However, using a flash, you face two problems: the overexposure and red eye. Here are some suggestions to help you avoid these problems, or at least minimize their importance.
Avoid overexposure.
If you use a digital SLR, there are good chances that you can adjust the flash output. If you can not reduce power, you can try to soften it. To do this, use a diffuser available at most photography stores. If the flash head can pivot or tilt up, the ideal is to use the ceiling or wall as a reflecting surface. To avoid using the flash, have recourse to the largest possible opening by your lens (small f). You can also try a slower shutter speed. Attention by cons, not too slow shutter speed when shooting hand up, because the photo will blur.
reduce red eye.
The second problem is red eye. Regarding the devices point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix style, the lens is located near the trees flash red-eye is simply inevitable. Most aircraft of this type have a mechanism for reducing red-eye that triggers first a low-power flash before the main flash. This technique results in a decrease in the size of the iris of the people, thus reducing the risk of red eyes.
There is no safe way to completely eliminate red-eye with a camera point-and-shoot. Most digital SLR camera does not suffer from this problem because the flash is located farther from the lens.
Avoid shaded areas.
Finally, it is possible to eliminate shaded areas of pictures taken with a flash, avoiding as much as possible to position the object close to a wall. You can also try to climb on a chair to be in an elevated position. These techniques will reduce the shadows and get a picture more interesting.
3. The composition
When composing, pay attention to the elements that surround the subject. Photographers should also pay attention to things that may distract the viewer.
Use a large aperture (f / 4 or f/2.8) to reduce the depth of field. This will allow you to have a blurred background and focus on the subject.
Remember the rule others and try to place the central focus of your photo (the eyes if a person) to one of four strengths. Recently, an article on the rule tiersà just been posted. I invite you to read it.
Remember the rule others and try to place the central focus of your photo (the eyes if a person) to one of four strengths. Recently, an article on the rule tiersà just been posted. I invite you to read it.
4. Shutter speed
Who has not deleted a photo from Christmas because of his lack of sharpness? If your shutter speed is slow (1 / 30 second or less) and you shoot freehand, or if your subject moves, you get a blurred image. To avoid this problem, the trick is to adjust shutter speed faster than 1 / 30 second. To compensate, set the ISO factor above. With today's digital camera, the image noise is very well managed. Even at ISO 1000, you get very clear pictures. You can also use a larger lens aperture (f/2.4 for example).
Get more natural smiles.
We know that people tend to smile in an exaggerated way when we ask them. For a beautiful smile, ask them to smile for a few seconds. Their smiles will return gradually to normal.
Be creative.
If you want to think outside the box, go outside and take some pictures with a flash. Ask everyone to leave immediately before or after sunset, then use a flash to get an interesting mix of lighting. For photos of family with a Christmas tree, turn off all lights in the house, except lights that decorate the tree. Next, ask family members to sit near the tree and install the candles before them, then ask them not to move. Install a tripod and set the shutter speed between 1 / 10 and 2 seconds. The mix of light and the slight blur due to the fact that people are unable not to move will create a halo that will give the photo a surreal effect, while remaining relatively clear. _____________________________________________
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