Showing off

Do you really want that cheesy smile to show the missing teeth? Better ask to see ... a much better moment... don't you think?

A little child behavior knowledge helps... All those books you have read about how kids behave at what ever age... Put it to use when picking up your camera :)

Focus.....Focus Focus!

Try getting a toddler to stop moving so you can take that perfect shot! Instead cease the opportunity when they are being held by a loved one and focus on their eyes....Set your camera f-stop wide open ( 1.4- 3.5) Shallow depth of field means everything but your "focus" goes soft ... 

The difference between a snap shot and a piece of art

A beautifully composed image deserves a permanent place on your walls. You can make all sorts of prints... Giclee print making is a way to make an image a piece of art... But remember it's not that easy to figure out that one image from a 2 week vacation, but it's there...

 If an awesome color shot translates to black and white that is a good indicator of a great shot... Sometimes a crop is all it needs. The most important thing is that your emotional attachment is not the driving force to choosing the fine art image.

Suggestion, show 3 people the shot...first: a family member, 2nd:a neighor and 3rd: a random person with no connection to the subject....

The Camera is not your Brain

The Camera is not a substitution for your Brain... it's an extension of what you are thinking... If you have an idea of what you want to shoot, an understanding of what your camera can do then voila a great shot... If you have thought to much and missed the moment, recreate it... Don't force it though. Simple direction will be enough... 

An image speaks louder than a thousand words

Ultimately the viewer must appreciate the image... Taking pictures for your personal archive is great... Even if it's not in focus, or the kids aren't smiling, these images will spark a story, a conversation and ultimately a memory. The conundrum is displaying these photos.. Will the viewer relate, understand the story...appreciate the memory without your emotional attachment? 

and some moments are not so tender

Life is not always the way we want it to be... but a picture can tell the story even better, even if it's not the reality.... Actually reality shows up even when we are trying to show "the idyllic side"

The truth just makes a more interesting shot...

tender moments are hard to come by

a gentle reminder to stand closer... hold a hand... changes the whole picture... brothers forever!

the little things

Sometimes body parts speak louder then the whole body.... a baby's hand, her lip, a mother's neck or shoulder...Focus on the little things to get the big picture

Serious Post 3

Fiddling with your camera makes it hard to engage with your subject...Figure out the light situation, and your point of focus before you point and shoot.... having a dialogue with the subject creates that spontaneous moment we are all looking for. They stop fidgeting or posing and start being themselves.. Goofy is the way to get a seriously good shot

Serious Post ....What is the point?

Are you taking a landscape shot of the beach to show the world how beautiful it is or a portrait or the baby to remember this very moment? ... Do you want a picture of both kids together or of them playing together... Just some thoughts before you pick up the camera...

Let them take a break

but don't put down your camera... moments happen although they are not what is expected

Serious Post 2 - Even if you don't understand how your camera works....

Understand your subject... Saying cheese is not how you get a good shot. That very saying creates an unnatural face... try getting your kids to look @ the camera by telling them something is behind you or better something will pop out of the camera!

How do you get that shot?

Patience....

extra-ordinary moments: Serious Post 1 Capturing the moment by understanding your Camera

extra-ordinary moments: Serious Post 1 Capturing the moment by understanding your Camera

Serious Post 1 Capturing the moment by understanding your Camera

Having a camera does not make you a photographer...understanding the benefits and limitations of your image machine is what makes a photographer.

A point and shoot and an SLR can both create great pictures if you really know what all the buttons are for...Be realistic, Be imaginative, Be patient.

Perfection is not necessarily perfect

Sometimes Security matters...Please don't touch my Lovey

anything but a pacifier

A Moment in Mayberry.... parenting is easy :)

Taking a photo and creating an image are really different entities...