Comments on: Guest post: Take two! http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/ Learning to photograph our children. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:09:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Becca http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1692 Becca Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:50:32 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1692 Most of my pictures of my two kids ends up being my two year old boy smothering my 10 month old baby in hugs and kisses, or the two crawling together (ever since she started crawling he seemed to find it fascinating again!). I think the different planes idea is great! I'm going to try a few of those. Good idea about the wide aperture, too.... I'm dropping hints about getting a DSLR for mothers day.... :) we'll see. Most of my pictures of my two kids ends up being my two year old boy smothering my 10 month old baby in hugs and kisses, or the two crawling together (ever since she started crawling he seemed to find it fascinating again!). I think the different planes idea is great! I’m going to try a few of those.

Good idea about the wide aperture, too…. I’m dropping hints about getting a DSLR for mothers day…. :) we’ll see.

]]> By: Clint http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1667 Clint Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:59:19 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1667 I have two kids as well (a boy and a girl) as well as MANY nieces and nephews. The key for me has always been lighting. The easiest times I had were on nice overcast days (plenty of those up here in Washington). In order to get decent indoor shots, I had to direct my flash to bounce off of a ceiling or wall. The first time I learned about it, I used my point and shoot camera and a small piece of tin foil. I created a little scoop thing, so it reflected the light to the ceiling and there it was. A nice even light with decent depth of field. It wasn't full proof (foil kept falling off), but if you can afford an external flash, then that will give you a lot more flexibility indoors. Most external flashes have pivots that allow you to aim it at the ceiling or a wall. You end up with less blur and sharper pictures compared to not using the flash at all. You also get better depth and a more natural looking light with the light source off the axis of your lens. For posing and interaction, introducing other objects like toys or you can even try telling a story while you take the picture. A tip Jessica gave a while back that I have used is telling kids their's a monkey in the camera (lens). Then take a shot when they are peeking into the lens. Another helpful option would be to get a lens that gives you a crazy wide open aperture (F1.8). This can cost some money and is only an option for you SLR folks, but it helps a lot indoors and it is cheaper than getting most external flashes. I got a 50mm 1.8 lens for $75 and I use it all the time indoors. Someday I'll get a zoom lens, so I won't have to move back and forth all the time, but I could still use the exercise. I have two kids as well (a boy and a girl) as well as MANY nieces and nephews. The key for me has always been lighting. The easiest times I had were on nice overcast days (plenty of those up here in Washington). In order to get decent indoor shots, I had to direct my flash to bounce off of a ceiling or wall. The first time I learned about it, I used my point and shoot camera and a small piece of tin foil. I created a little scoop thing, so it reflected the light to the ceiling and there it was. A nice even light with decent depth of field. It wasn’t full proof (foil kept falling off), but if you can afford an external flash, then that will give you a lot more flexibility indoors. Most external flashes have pivots that allow you to aim it at the ceiling or a wall. You end up with less blur and sharper pictures compared to not using the flash at all. You also get better depth and a more natural looking light with the light source off the axis of your lens. For posing and interaction, introducing other objects like toys or you can even try telling a story while you take the picture. A tip Jessica gave a while back that I have used is telling kids their’s a monkey in the camera (lens). Then take a shot when they are peeking into the lens. Another helpful option would be to get a lens that gives you a crazy wide open aperture (F1.8). This can cost some money and is only an option for you SLR folks, but it helps a lot indoors and it is cheaper than getting most external flashes. I got a 50mm 1.8 lens for $75 and I use it all the time indoors. Someday I’ll get a zoom lens, so I won’t have to move back and forth all the time, but I could still use the exercise.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1567 Jessica Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:56:07 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1567 Hillary, your comment totally cracked me up!!! I can SO relate! Hillary, your comment totally cracked me up!!! I can SO relate!

]]> By: Shaun Nelson http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1554 Shaun Nelson Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:40:02 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1554 Maryanne, Great post and a good discussion topic! I have two boys and it’s always been a challenge to keep them from bouncing off the walls long enough to capture the moment. I often refer to them as my crazy monkeys, but the truth is, since they were little I’ve trained them like monkeys. [cracks up] My kids have grown up knowing the camera was likely going to be pointed at them. Like Hillary said, sometimes it’s easier to work with other peoples kids. I think it’s because our own kids push our patience while we’re trying to take a perfect photo of them. My advice to anyone: Blur happens. Don’t be disappointed. It’s more important for you to look back at the photos with a happy memory than worry about capturing the next cover of Family Circle or Parents magazine. Patience, practice, and sometimes a small bribe with candy won't spoil dinner. :) Maryanne,

Great post and a good discussion topic! I have two boys and it’s always been a challenge to keep them from bouncing off the walls long enough to capture the moment. I often refer to them as my crazy monkeys, but the truth is, since they were little I’ve trained them like monkeys. [cracks up] My kids have grown up knowing the camera was likely going to be pointed at them. Like Hillary said, sometimes it’s easier to work with other peoples kids. I think it’s because our own kids push our patience while we’re trying to take a perfect photo of them. My advice to anyone: Blur happens. Don’t be disappointed. It’s more important for you to look back at the photos with a happy memory than worry about capturing the next cover of Family Circle or Parents magazine. Patience, practice, and sometimes a small bribe with candy won’t spoil dinner. :)

]]> By: Hilary http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1545 Hilary Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:31:29 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1545 I swear a lot, sometimes throw things. :) I'm much better with OTHER people's kids. Maybe we should swap. ;) I swear a lot, sometimes throw things. :) I’m much better with OTHER people’s kids. Maybe we should swap. ;)

]]> By: Twitter Trackbacks for Guest post: Take two! | MomShots [momshots.com] on Topsy.com http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1542 Twitter Trackbacks for Guest post: Take two! | MomShots [momshots.com] on Topsy.com Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:25:22 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1542 [...] Guest post: Take two! | MomShots www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two – view page – cached In the course of living with two daughters  I've learned a great number of things, not least of which is that taking a good picture with two kids in it is [...] [...] Guest post: Take two! | MomShots http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two – view page – cached In the course of living with two daughters  I’ve learned a great number of things, not least of which is that taking a good picture with two kids in it is [...]

]]> By: Jessica http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1538 Jessica Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:53:20 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1538 What a super idea! I had never thought of this and it makes so much sense! Great post, Maryanne!!! What a super idea! I had never thought of this and it makes so much sense! Great post, Maryanne!!!

]]> By: Alli http://www.momshots.com/guest-post-take-two/#comment-1527 Alli Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:04:07 +0000 http://www.momshots.com/?p=1167#comment-1527 I have two little girls too. how far apart are yours? They are cuties! I have been having the same issue with getting a picture with both of them looking at the camera, let alone both of them sitting still for a minute! Alli I have two little girls too. how far apart are yours? They are cuties! I have been having the same issue with getting a picture with both of them looking at the camera, let alone both of them sitting still for a minute!
Alli

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