dcw03 10 better portraits
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
1/8
Taking photographs of couples and groups is more challenging than working with individuals, saysSteve Bavister. But follow our advice and youll get great shots, every time!
COVER FEATURE BETTER PORTRAITS
Better portraits
020 DIGITALCAMERAMAGAZINE
-
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
2/8
DIGITAL CAMERAMAGAZINE 021
ne of the most challenging areas of
portraiture is photographing couples andgroups because theres so much more to
think about and attend to than with individuals.
Each person needs to be posed well, lit clearly and
looking at the camera, plus the group needs to work
compositionally. It can be a tall order, especially with
larger gatherings and when there are children and
babies, who are prone to having a sulk or crying at a
moments notice. But with a little know-how its easy to
get the kind of results youre after.
Unless theres a particular occasion coming up that
you absolutely must photograph, such as a wedding or
christening, the best way to get started is by practising
with groups that are small and manageable, and setting
your sights higher as your experience and ability grow.With two, three or four people, for instance, you dont
have that much more to attend to, but a lot more
options about how you arrange them. So why not ask
some members of your family or a few friends if theyd
mind helping you improve your posing skills? A few
minutes spent trying out different compositions will pay
dividends when you need to do it for real.
If youre stuck for ideas about where to start, you can
find inspiration on the following pages. And if you keep
your eyes for images of groups that really seem to
work, you can build up a mental scrap book of
arrangements and poses that you can draw upon.
Success in posing couples and groups is, to a large
extent, a matter of where you position the heads, asthey will almost always be the focal points in the
picture. It goes without saying that you dont want
anyone obscuring the person behind, or casting a
shadow on them so theres quite a lot to juggle. As a
result you can end up with people scattered across the
frame without any discernible arrangement, and a
picture that looks a complete mess.
Whatever you shoot whether youre photographing
your family or friends; shooting indoors or outside; using
flash or daylight; taking a candid or posed approach
keep in mind the need to produce a composition thats
visually pleasing.
O
w
ww.p
hotolibrary.com
THEPEOPLEISSUE
http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
3/8
022 DIGITALCAMERAMAGAZINE
COVER FEATURE BETTER PORTRAITS
hile an individual portrait can be interesting,
its family shots of people together that are
often the most appealing photographs,particularly if you can gather together three generations
of child, parent and grandparent.
The most obvious way to pose three people is to have
them standing in a row. But make sure everybody is
touching shoulder-to-shoulder and smiling. This has to be
done well, otherwise it can look a little static and like a
firing squad!
Theres often a variation in the height of people, and
its a good idea to place the tallest person in the middle
of a family portrait, creating a triangle effect. Asking
them to stand behind, so theyre looking through the
shoulders of the other two can enhance this compositionfurther. If the height differential isnt enough, see if you
can find something for the person at the back to stand
on, perhaps a couple of books or magazines. The aim
should be to prevent all of the eyes from being at the
same height, and to create more of a sense of depth by
having some individuals in front of, or behind, the others.
Unless youre taking pictures where theres a lot of
light, enabling you to set a small aperture of f/11 or
f/16, you need to keep everyone roughly the same
distance from the camera, in order to keep them all in
focus. You have more latitude when youre using a wide-
angle lens and the group is farther away, but whenever
you zoom in or get closer you cant afford to have thegroup too deep.
As you go beyond multi-generational pictures, you
end up with bigger groups. With the traditional nuclear
family of four, you can have two people in the front
and two in the back; two sitting and two standing.
If youre one of the four, youll need to support the
camera and use the self-timer to make sure youreincluded in the shot.
Simple, plain backgrounds, such as a white wall
indoors or green foliage outside, have the advantage of
concentrating attention on the subjects, but they can
How to shoot
Family photosW
www.p
hotolibrary.com
www.p
hotolibrary.com
Most of the pictures that people take are of theirimmediate family
Here, the focus of the image is on the faces and joined hands of three
different generations of the same family, framed by the tree
This pose makes a refreshing change frombog-standard family portraits! Focusing onthe second person in from the left adds to
the sense of depth in the image
http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
4/8
result in shots that are rather anonymous they could
have been taken anywhere.
You may like to make use of different locations that
are available in the family home: conservatories are
often light and airy; lounges generally have the most
interesting and attractive furniture; and bedrooms with
posters are the most natural locations to photograph
teens and tweenies.
Another option is to stage a shot with the family inthe foreground and the house in the background.
How viable this is will depend on where you live and
the surroundings. A wide-angle lens will allow you to
include as much as possible, perhaps with the family to
one side of the frame. To keep everything sharp from
front to back, youll need a small aperture of f/16, if
light levels allow.
Even when youre photographing people you know
well, theres often a hint of nervousness when you ask
them to pose. If you dont find some way to relax them,
the chances are their worst fears will be realised: they
will be feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, sothey wont look their best. This is why the best pictures
tend to be natural and unselfconscious.
The same is true when you go out for the day: to the
beach; for a picnic in the park; to town or city; or for a
longer holiday at home or abroad. When youre shooting
portraits outside, care needs to be taken with the
lighting, especially if the suns blazing down. What can
you do? Well, one option is to find a shady area, perhaps
under a tree or canopy, where the pictures can be taken.
Cutting out the toplight means you dont end up with
shadows under the eyes, nose and chin. The result isthat all the light comes in from the front and side,
producing a really attractive effect that works really well
for groups of all sizes.
Another option is to try to find a building or wall in
front of which you can shoot. Because the illumination in
such spots is reflected, its wonderfully soft and gentle,
which is ideal for portraits of all kinds. Once again, you
can improvise a similar effect by screening off an area
alongside your subject. If possible, photograph them
illuminated by the gold glow of a sunset, for the
ultimate family portrait.
Parties are full of photo opportunities.Shots of kids in party hats and tuckinginto jelly and ice cream cant fail!
With really large groups outside, youll need someway of getting their attention. One well-knownprofessional uses a referees whistle!a
Here, a small amount of
direction regarding who
runs where has added
depth and composition to
this informal shot
ACTINGNATURAL2
www.p
ho
tolibrary.com
www.p
hotolibrary.com
www.p
hotolibrary.com
Who says you need to see faces? The triangle composition createsdynamism in this image, with the shadows adding to the depth
The subjects in this shots are focusing on the ball, not the
camera, which means theyre fully relaxed
When youre shooting portraits outside, care
needs to be taken with the lighting, especiallyif the suns blazing down
Try this composition for a relaxed, playful shotthat is guaranteed to get your subjects smiling!
Sometimes, the best shots come from breaking the rules. This image
captures the action in a family game of beach football
http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
5/8
any pictures of couples such as husbands and
wives, brothers and sisters and best friends,
show them standing awkwardly side-by-side
in the middle of the frame staring blankly at the camera
as if they were strangers. Theres no interaction, no
intimacy and no interest. Usually you need to get
involved and give some direction. How should you pose
them? Well, there are dozens of effective ways to put
two people together.The options depend, to a large degree, upon the
relationship between them and what kind of people
they are. Lovers and spouses will tend to express
their intimacy in a different way from family members
and friends.
Whatever the relationship, get them close enough so
that their bodies are in contact. This creates a nice, tight
composition. Theres nothing worse than having two
people standing either side of the picture with acres of
background between them. Getting them to turn in
slightly and point their feet towards the camera, rather
than straight ahead, will also improve the results.
A simple way to enhance this basic pose with family
members or close friends is to ask them to tilt their
heads together, so they touch. Then you might suggest
they put their arms around each other, or link them if
that feels appropriate.
Some couples will need no coaxing, and theyll
naturally play up for the camera. If theyre foolingaround and having a good time, all you have to do is
watch carefully whats going on and capture the
mayhem when it reaches its peak taking an almost
candid approach. Others may need encouragement, and
may feel a little awkward for a start. But once theyve
got over their initial resistance they normally relax and
get into it.
Always be on the look out for alternatives to having
people side by side. One person can stand behind the
other and put their arm around their waist, or they
might give each other a piggyback!
Photographing couples when theyre doing thingstogether, even if its just having a chat, is a good way to
capture them without a feeling of self-consciousness.
Having your camera to hand means that you can
capture these fleeting, personal moments naturally,
without the artifice of setting things up. Youll end up
with different kinds of expressions because theyll be
looking at each other rather than the camera.
In situations like this youre more likely to use a
telephoto lens setting, which will enable you to fill
the whole frame. It gives flattering perspective and
helps to separate them from the background.
Lighting couples follows the same principles as
lighting individuals, except you have to be careful that
one person doesnt cast a shadow on the other. Daylight
usually gives better results than flash, and its best to
have the light behind you or to shoot contre-jour. If you
have to use flash, try to stand two to three metres back,
so the flash isnt too harsh.
COVER FEATURE BETTER PORTRAITS
How to shoot
CouplesM
DCMAG.CO.UK
READERTIPSdcmag.co.uk/
groups
You dont have to photograph people in stiff and starchyposes. Letting them get about their life, and then
recording what happens can produce pictures that are
much more natural and realistic. And you can take this
approach further by deliberately introducing a sense of
movement into your photography. Do you want to freeze
the action or blur it? Both can work effectively, depending
on the subject. Setting a fast shutter speed of 1/500sec or
so or using flash will completely freeze the action.
Setting a longer speed from, 1/4sec to 1/30sec (you may
need a tripod), will introduce a controlled amount of blur.
Either way, youll produce something thats more dynamic
and interesting.
ACTION SHOTS2
The most obvious way to produce a feeling of connection is to have thetwo people touching placing heads together is particularly effective
Photographing couples when theyre doing things together can be anideal way to capture an unselfconscious, intimate moment
An ideal portrait captures the personality of the sitters. When shooting aformal shot, keep snapping in between you might just get a result!
www.p
hotolibrary.com
www.p
hotolibrary.com
TheWalcotStudio
http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
6/8
he arrival of a baby in the family is one
reason why so many people invest in a
digital camera, and the first few weeks areoften a frenzy of photographic activity, with the camera
being used almost every day. (And youll need to if
youre to keep up with the rate at which they grow up.)
It all starts, of course, at the birth, and those all-
important pictures of mum and dad holding the baby for
the first time pictures that will be treasured forever.
Delivery rooms have fluorescent lights, so youll need to
set your white balance or use flash if light levels are low.
If you want pictures of the baby with many different
members of the family, such as proud grandparents,
and older brothers and sisters, the best shots tend to be
those that are captured spontaneously. Soft lighting isideal for babies, so avoid direct flash whenever possible
and shoot either outdoors on a hazy day or indoors by
the light of large window or patio door.
As well as such spontaneous shots, remember to take
time out to produce some more formal posed shots.
Mum and dad with their hair done, and baby dressed in
its Sunday best, and lighting carefully arranged.
Kids togetherFrom the day theyre born to the day they leave home,
children provide a wealth of photo opportunities and
happy memories. Capturing their formative years on
film is something all parents should pursue it would
be unimaginable not to have hundreds of pictures of
your growing family to look back on in years to come.As ever, you can take a candid or posed approach.
Candids work particularly well with toddlers, who
often rush headlong at you when they see you pick up
the camera, and with teenagers, who can sometimes
be sulky and stroppy as hormones kick in, and reluctant
to pose.
Alternatively, give them something to do, like
watering the garden or washing the car. Offering
younger children a hosepipe is guaranteed to have
photogenic consequences! And nothing beats a pet such
as a rabbit or kitten when it comes to keeping your
children occupied.When shooting candids outdoors youll just have to
take pot luck as far as lighting and backgrounds are
concerned, especially when kids are racing around
from one area to another. But if they seem amenable,
try some posed photos as well. Find a spot where
the lightings attractive and theres nothing fussy or
messy behind.
To help animate children, tell them a few jokes or
ask them to say words like jelly or biscuits, instead
of cheese. When shooting indoors, use daylight
whenever possible rather than flash though you
may need to anchor the camera to a tripod or crank up
your ISO setting if light levels are low.
Children tend to be more uninhibited than adults, so
experiment with different poses to see what works. Trylying on your back looking up at them as they put their
heads together and lean over you. Or get them to lie on
the floor and spell out letters and words with their
bodies as you shoot from above.
T
Babies & kidsTake pictures of your children as they grow up youll have a catalogue of shots to treasure
As with adults, tryplacing your subjects
in front and behindone another to
enhance the feeling
of depth
EXPERT TIP0STEVEBAVISTERSPORTRAITADVICE
DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILYou dont have to include everything
details can sometimes be aseffective. How about photographing
the babys soft, tiny fingers as they
rest gently in grandfathers large,
rough hands?
www.p
hotolibrary.com
www.p
ho
tolibrary.com
DIGITAL CAMERAMAGAZINE 027
When dealing with children, try to makethe experience fun. That way, theyll beup for it when it comes to the next time!
The humble step ladder is your friend. Use it to geta different perspective on groups youll capturethe faces better when theyre all looking up at youa
Leave children to chat and play,and once theyve forgotten yourethere youll be free to snap away
Leave children to chat and play,and once theyve forgotten yourethere youll be free to snap away
www.p
hotolibrary.com
A memorable and beautiful pose that you canreplicate in a well-lit bedroom
http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
7/8
ith the big groups you get at large family
gatherings such as weddings and
anniversaries, avoid lining people up as if
theyre a sports team or a row of soldiers. If space is too
tight for anything more imaginative, at least arrange
everyone into an arc, and get the people on the outside
to turn their body in more towards the camera, with their
front foot slightly forward.With really large groups, if you cant see all of the
faces, try standing on a chair yourself, to get a higher
view or ask everyone to assemble outside and
photograph them from a first f loor window.
The group will need to stand in a position thats right
for the light, which might determine the best time of day
to take your shots. The best conditions are bright but
hazy, in which case you can place them where you want.
If the suns shining, you dont want people looking
directly at it, because theyll all be squinting. And dont
have the sun to the side because everyone will be
casting a shadow on the person next to them. The bestapproach on a bright day is either to shoot into the light
and use exposure compensation or to find a shaded area
where the illumination is softer, perhaps against a wall or
underneath a tree.
Most compact digital cameras feature a wide-angle
lens whose angle of view is adequate for all but the
largest gatherings. A zoom lens is handy outside,
allowing you to be farther away from the group yet still
producing a tight composition.
WeddingsOnce you get known for your prowess with a camera,
you may be asked by a friend or relative to be the official
photographer at their wedding. If that happens, think
carefully before saying I do because you dont get a
second chance with weddings. You may feel happier
saying youll take shots to supplement those of the
official photographer candid, informal pictures of theguests they wont be able to do because theyll be
concentrating more on the couple and the groups.
If they say they cant afford a professional, and theyd
like you to do the best you can, ask yourself whether you
feel you have the skills required. Will you be able to
organise and manage the couple and the groups, at
speed, under the gaze of those present. Some guests
may have wandered off to get a drink, others may start
pulling faces when youre about to fire the shutter. You
have to deal with it all in a calm and collected manner.
If theres no official photographer, you must have shots
of the couple and the various family groups. At the very
least, take several different pictures of the couple on their
own; the grooms parents and his wider family; thebrides parents and her wider family; plus a shot of
everyone together at the end. Many other combinations
are possible, such as all the parents together or all the
cousins. How far you go will be determined to a large
degree by the time you have available people soon get
restless, especially if its cold or wet.
W
How to shoot
Bigger groups If youre shooting a team of some sort, keep in mind whatunites them in this case, football!
www.t
heweddingphotographer.co.u
k
This wedding shot works well the photographer has caught a couple of keypeople looking at the camera, with the others interacting naturally
COVER FEATURE BETTER PORTRAITS
www.p
hotolibra
ry.com
028 DIGITALCAMERAMAGAZINE
http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.photolibrary.com/http://www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk/ -
8/6/2019 DCW03 10 Better Portraits
8/8
How to shoot
Posing guideGet great portraits with our guide to the top poses forcouples, families and bigger groups
Youcanreallymakeportraits
ofsmall groupsparkleif you
investalittle time, energyand
lateralthinking.Here,the
parentsandtheirchildrenare
positionedinaspiral,outfrom
thephotographerwhoislying
onthe floor,shootingup.Itsa
fun, energeticposewiththe
addedbonusofprovoking
naturalsmilesfromyour
subjects as youlie onthefloor.
GROUPS1
Shots of big wedding groupsoften suffer from looking toocontrived, with every face lockedin a rictus grinas the mercilesssunbeats down on them. Whileeveryone wantstosee faces insome photos,dotake theopportunity toutilise any bigprops that are lying around.Here, our prop is the swimmingpool it gives a great reflectionthat really makes the photo and weve encouraged oursubjects to do their own thing.
WEDDINGS4
Familyportraitscanbeimages
that youtreasureforyearsifyou
getthemright.Here,wevegota
standardlineup,whichwouldbe
boringifitwasnot forthe
compositionandthesetting.The
arrangementofthe adultsand
childrengivesusasmooth line
flowingthrough theimagein
contrasttotheflat horizonathird
of theway up. Thesurfadds tothe
funof theimageaswellas
keepingthechildrensmiling
throughout theshoot.
FAMILY SHOTS
5
Theresnothingcomplicatedaboutthisgreatpose, whichmakesit idealforcouplesofallages. Asyoucansee, thewoman istouchingherchintothetopofherhusbandsheadandwrapping herarmsabouthim. Itsapose that looksslightlyunnatural inreal lifebutlooks relaxedandutterlyrealisticinaphotograph.
COUPLES3
A memorable photograph isoftenone that shows an eventfrom an unexpected perspective.Here, the bride is throwing herbouquet. Weve climbed to ahigher vantage point in order tofit in all theaction and as thebride is lookingupatthebouquet, were in theperfectpositionto capture hersmile.The outstretched arms of theguestsare also a strong e
lementin the composition of the shot.
EVENTS6
Whenphotographing children,keeping their attentionfocusedis 90 per cent of the battle. Youcan get around this by keepingthem occupied with a task andshooting a number of non-posedshots until you get the pictureyoure after. It alsomakes for afar more memorable photographthan a standard pose.
CHILDREN2
DIGITAL CAMERAMAGAZINE 029