MomShots

I haven’t been using a DSLR camera for very long. I am learning everyday how to take better momshots, but from the ones I have taken, both on my Canon and on my Kodak point and shoot camera, I have noticed that the more simpler the background, the better the photograph. Its easier to get a simple background if you can throw the background out of focus by using an aperture like f/2.8 or f/4 with a portrait focal length you like best. But if you cannot or you are using a point and shoot camera, its best to keep the backgrounds plain or simple. this way you are focused completely on the subject. 

I have taken the more “artsy” approach on this one. When I was at a local carnival and noticed this angel wing detail in the side on one of the rides. I thought it would be kind of fun to put my daughter next to them and take a momshot. It wasn’t good lighting at the time, and is very busy, but to me it is kind of interesting to look at.

Or at least blackmail worthy photos of your children when they are young.  

Think to yourself, “Self, is this a photo my son/daughter/niece/nephew would like me to show to a future girlfriend/boyfriend?”  If your answer is a resounding “NO”, than you really should take the photo.  You should take the photo and save it.  One day you will be sitting on a couch going through an old family photo album showing the new young couple photos from your child’s youth.  You will find the picture of them in an awkward position and they will get embarassed.  It will all be worth it!  Or if you’re horrible like me, your kids will find photos of themselves peeing in the backyard on their mom’s website…

Even if embarrassment is not an issue, it sure is fun to have photos that remind you of the innocence and wonder from childhood.  These kinds of momshots will surely remind you of that precious time.

I just heard about a list of crazy coincidences.  Once of them is of particular interest to me and Momshots.  Here is the story…

A German mother who photographed her infant son in 1914 left the film to be developed at a store in Strasbourg. In those days some film plates were sold individually. World War I broke out and unable to return to Strasbourg, the woman gave up the picture for lost. Two years later she bought a film plate in Frankfurt, over 100 miles away, to take a picture of her newborn daughter. When developed the film turned out to be a double exposure, with the picture of her daughter superimposed on the earlier picture of her son. Through some incredible twist of fate, her original film, never developed, had been mislabeled as unused, and had eventually been resold to her.

I can’t find any substantiating proof or information, but it is kind of interesting.  It also makes me think about how photography has evolved and I am so happy that I can use a digital medium instead of light sensitive plates!

Happy Independence Day!  I hope everyone is having a safe and wonderful time with your families.  We are having a great time visiting family in Northwest Washington.  We went around the point, this morning, to some friends’ houses for a big pancake breakfast.  Now we are making coleslaw, deviled eggs, and other 4th of July yummies!  My parent’s house is party central on this day every year.  It’s is a wonderful time to remember our freedoms and ability to express our self in any way we want.

Happy Birthday, America.  We love you!