Week #2 - Angles

This week we are still going to focus on window light; however, we are going to add "angles" to the assignment. Try and do something similar to what you did before; however, this time move around your subject. You should take AT LEAST ten pictures. Take a picture while on your tummy, get on a chair and have your subject look up at you, and then move all around your subject. Don't forget that you should not be looking down or up at them at all during this. Okay...well, except for the chair and tummy shots I just mentioned. Your lens should be at the same level as their eyes. Take a picture at every angle you can think of. Then post your favorite three.

Okay, I decided to post some pictures so you know what I am talking about.

Most people who take pictures just stand up right where they are and take a picture. I should have taken a picture of what that looks like, but I didn't. Anyway, they don't get down on the level of the child. Also, they take one picture, and then they are done. Most "professional" photographers take tons of pictures. They also check out all the possibilities. It is a good practice to look at the different angles available to you. Don't simply take a few pictures of the same pose at the same angle and then sit down. Do a walk around. Here are some examples.

This is your typical angle. Straight on. Cammie is facing the window. We usually want our child to look up at us and smile. When I look at this picture, it makes me feel like someone is in room. Does that make any sense? It makes me feel like she is looking at me, and not paying attention to the book. Oh, and also notice that because I have her directly facing the window, there are not a lot of soft shadows. Great lighiting don't get me wrong but not as "artistic" as it could be.

I did not edit this picture. It is a little dark. Anyway, this picture is still taken straight on, but I moved the coffee table she was sitting on so that the window was to her right. The difference in lighting creates a different feel. Notice that she is not looking at me either. I am letting her read the book. To me, this picture feels like no one is in the room but her. I don't feel like anyone else is involved....kind of like I am photographing a private moment. I am just bringing this to everyone's attention because we sometimes forget to take these types of pictures.

Cammie is facing the window again, but this time I moved. I am taking a side view of her. Notice the difference in the lighting.

I changed my angle a little bit again. I am not exactly at eye level because I wanted to get more of the book in the picture.

I am standing right above her. She looks sad in the picture, but usually, I kind of like this angle. I edited this picture. It was the first one I did. Then I decided that I wasn't going to edit any more pictures. It would take too long. I would go back and get the color version, but I am too lazy. :)

Last is the angle where I was looking up at her (tummy shot). I usually don't like this angle at all. It is a general rule in photography to never look up at a person...unless they are super skinny or something like that...don't remember. Anyways, try not to take pictures looking up at people.

Window lighting

Here are my attempts at Window lighting. It was kind of cloudy which is one of my favorite lighting. I did alter any of these. My problem is my exposure.

Window Lighting, Beth's attempt

So here it is, my attempt at this. Garrett is a very hard subject for pictures though, so none of these are that amazing.

Window Lighting w/o Flash

I wasn't sure if I was allowed to play around with the pictures before putting them on here. So here's the before and after. The lighting wasn't very good because I took the pictures later in the afternoon so that's why I changed the picture.

Window Lighting w/ Flash

No Window Lighting w/ Flash

(being distracted by Daddy)

I really like taking pictures with just window light because I think it makes it look so much more natural. Plus you don't end up with any shadows. That's my opinion anyway.

Window lighting attempt

I took this picture a few weeks ago. I just can't seem to get the background right (it is always too close!) so I thought I'd take it from up high so that the wall at least wasn't an issue. Now I think that maybe the floor tile is too close...oh well. I used the Chemistry department's really nice Nikon to take this picture. I hope they will let me borrow it every once in a while so that I can take some nice pictures of the kids. I just like the way they the camera fades in the background a little. Anyway, until I get it again I will try to play around with our little camera.

Remember that this is not a contest or anything like that. We are all trying to become better photographers. Don't be afraid to post pictures!

1. Only Window Light. What I like about natural lighting is the shadows it creates. They are usually soft. We do want shadows in our pictures just not harsh ones that an on camera flash creates. This isn't a great picture to see the eyes, but usually a window creates a beautiful reflection in the eye. Cammie's eyes are what I call "dead" in this picture. That is one thing I don't like about this particular photo.

3. Flash Only. To me, this is not a very good picture. These types of pictures are great for the scrapbook, but not for the wall. ;) One of the first things I notice about this picture is the harsh shadow the flash created in the background. Another thing I notice is that there aren't very many shadows in her face. She just looks mostly white to me. Also, the dots in her eyes (created by the flash) are noticeable to me. I prefer the look the window creates in the eyes.

2. Window Light and Flash. I need to take that one tomorrow. I forgot to do this one for Cammie. :) I did take some of Kate though. This type of picture is better than just a flash, but I think that the on camera flash still ruined the picture. It got rid of the soft shadows in the face. I couldn't see the harsh outline in the background as much, but I could still a shadow. The eyes looked pretty much the same. The only addition was the dot created from the flash. It was barely noticeable next to the reflection from the window though. I still prefer just window lighting, but it was still better than just the on camera flash!

Week #1: Window Lighting

The purpose of this week's assignment is to learn to turn off the flash during the day indoors...if possible! Look around your house for already existing light. One good place to start is near the windows. Place your subject facing the window or to the side of the window. There are a few things to remember before taking any picture.

1. Remove any clutter from the background. You don't want anyone's eye to be draw to what is laying around in the other parts of the picture.
2. Get in close. Step back and zoom in if you can. This will help blur your background and give it a more professional look.
3. Get down on their level. Unless it is the look you want, the lense should be at eye level with your subject.
4. Don't be afraid to take LOTS of pictures.

In order to see the difference between a picture taken with the flash and one without, do the following:
1. Take several pictures without the flash on. You might need to put your camera on a tripod, a table, or anything that will help you steady your camera.
2. Take a "fill" flash picture. Turn on your flash and take a picture with the window light still there.
3. Close the blinds and remove the window light as much as possible. Take a few pictures with only the flash After you are done with this, post your favorite picture from each one. So there should be three pictures...window lighting only, window lighting plus flash, and flash only.


More Advanced:

A few suggestions:

Try a more artistic look. Get rid of the white background. Move to your bed, the kid's bed, a couch, just a wall. Maybe a child can be reading or hugging a special toy. See what you can come up with. Try and get more shadows. We are doing this with the Haynies too, so I will post mine from last week.



Also, pay close attention to the light in the eyes. Try to take some close ups. Depending on your camera you might need a tripod and you also might need to use your "macro" setting.

This picture is a bit blurry, and the window is kind of covering the black part of her eye, but this is the look I am talking about. A nice big window reflecting in the eye.