4. Keep it
at Eye Level
For a more intimate and involved-in-the-moment picture,
get down to the level of your subjects. Make sure your
lens is at the same height as the children's eyes.
5. Zoom In
This is the number one mistake most amateur
photographers make when snapping pictures. Too much
headroom, too much background, and not enough of your
subject make for boring images. Pictures are so much
more engaging when you can actually see who's in them!
Make a conscious effort to get up close and personal
before you click the shutter.
6.
Background and Composition
How you position and frame your subject adds to the
appeal of the picture. To do this successfully you must
be aware of the "bigger picture" in the viewfinder.
First, make sure there are no trees or poles growing out
of kids heads.
No
decapitations either, please. By taking a breath and
holding it, you are better able to hold the camera
steady while pressing on the shutter. This prevents the
camera from moving downward and cutting off your
subjects' heads.
Make your
picture more dynamic and balanced by utilizing the "rule
of thirds". Mentally divide your picture into a 9 box
tic-tac-toe grid. Now align your vertical subject 1/3 of
the way over from the left or right. Then align your
horizonal matter 1/3 of the way from the top or bottom.
Practice a bit on this before the party to see how
different subject placements effect the resulting photo.
7. Be Quick
Kids are usually on the move, especially when the sugar
from the cake and ice cream kick in. Be prepared to
capture the moment quickly. Waiting too long to get the
shot will ruin a good candid and can even make antsy
kids run when they see you coming!
8. One Pose
for Posterity
Take one group shot of the party child and guests for
your scrapbook. This is also a wonderful little
remembrance to send along with thank-you notes. To make
it more interesting, pose kids with costumes or props
which relate to the party theme.
For example, guests at a pirate theme party can pose
with their bandannas and eyepatches, looking like fierce
buccaneers. Guests at a princess party could pose in
their pretty dress-up clothes. Guests at a construction
party can pose with their trucks in the sandbox.
9. Don't
Leave it in the Camera
Due to busy lifestyles, the tendency to leave cherished
photos in the digital camera for weeks or months is
great. Don't wait until your important pictures are
accidentally deleted or lost. Download them to your
computer as soon as possible after the event. Similarly,
make an effort to finish the film in your still camera
and develop the pictures right away.
10. File or
Scrapbook
This is an often neglected step in the picture-taking
process, but it's important to have a safe method of
filing and storing your pictures. There are many
software programs available to help you sort and store
digital pictures on your hard drive. They usually have a
free trial period to see if you like working with the
program. Non-digital pictures can be scanned onto your
computer, placed in a scrapbook, or stored in special
photo storage boxes.
When all is
said and done, you'll have captured the special moments
of joy and excitement at your child's birthday party or
other special occasion. A truly memorable collection
that will entertain and make you smile for years to
come.
Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved
About the Author:
Patricia B. Jensen is a mother
of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of
Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including
invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food.
