Saturday, February 17, 2007

A SMILE AS BRIGHT AS SUNSHINE

My nephew's baby, Alexandra, spent a day with us yesterday, and I seized this opportunity to take some pictures of her.

As we all know, babies are wonderful, but can be a challenge to photograph. So I've come up with some pointers to share with you. Here they are:

Avoid using a flash unit. Use as much natural light as possible by moving near a window or under a shade outdoors. Pictures taken with a flash unit often flattens the details of the photograph; worse, its use may momentariy blind and annoy the baby.

It is virtually impossible to make any baby strike the ideal pose; hence, it's better to take candid shots of their wondrous expressions -- like the way their fingers wrap around yours, or their ephemeral angel-like features when they're asleep.

Also, whenever possible, always place the camera at the baby's level; avoid taking shots above them. And most importantly, zoom in on the baby and keep it as simple as possible. A cluttered background will only take away the attention from the main subject, which is the baby.

And for those using digital cameras, take as many shots as you can. This way, you'll have plenty to choose from later on.

Good luck and have fun taking those pictures!

Labels: Baby, baby pictures

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:02 AM

33 Comments:

Photo Cache said...: looks like you've gone beta huh senor? anyway, babies are such precious subjects that i dont believe you can take a bad picture of them.; February 17, 2007 7:18 AM
eye said...: cute cute, esp. dahil sa face talaga niya naka-focus. salamat sa tips, dagdag ko lang pwede rin i-set ang cam sa burst mode para wala talagang ma-miss na candid moments ni baby :); February 17, 2007 8:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Beautiful! And thank you for the tips! I like the soft quality of these photos.; February 17, 2007 9:56 AM
Anonymous said...: You know how parents go bonkers over their babies! You're familiar with the photo studios at Walmart where parents spend their bucks taking portraits of their babies :) Nothing makes parents happier than a great pic of their baby:); February 17, 2007 10:27 AM
Anonymous said...: Awwww... ang cute niya! A happy baby! Naku! Puwera usog. Second pic - ay inaantok na siya. I want to cuddle her. Nakaka-miss ang may baby sa bahay.

If ever I have a grandchild na, I'll take note of these tips you gave here on photographing babies. :); February 17, 2007 11:05 AM
Belle TH said...: such an adorable baby...soooo cute! may dimple pa! thanks for the tips!

would appreciate if you can email me more tips on photography especially on landscapes. thanks in advance. liwayway07@yahoo.com; February 17, 2007 12:22 PM
-= dave =- said...: Awww cute shots Señor E! I agree with BW that, for the fathers for instance, whenever the baby comes, stored pictures of the wife get replaced with pictures of the little one, haha.

Baby or otherwise, I'd always prefer the candid shots. Speaking of photography, I've stumbled upon a photoblog of a fellow Bicolano. He's a skilled visual artist ever since my high school days ten years ago so you may want to check it out.

Lastly, I'm tagging you, hehe. (You may choose either one but I'd appreciate if you do both, hehe).; February 17, 2007 6:53 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Good point, Photo Cache, but when taking pics of other people's babies, better know what you're doing ... hehehe. You know how parents get with their own brood :); February 17, 2007 8:16 PM
Anonymous said...: Ang cute-cute ng baby plus great shots! :) Very useful tips. I'll take note of them.; February 17, 2007 9:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Please share the beauty of your baby and blog at our world network www.outpost-earth.com; February 18, 2007 2:18 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Yes, burst mode ... an important addition to useful tips, indeed. Many thanks, Eye!; February 18, 2007 5:19 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Ferdz! The soft focus tends to put more emphasis on the baby's huge and cute face :); February 18, 2007 5:20 AM
Señor Enrique said...: I am truly in awe of those professional photographers, BW. I often wonder how they're able to coax those babies to make those whimsical poses. And yes, parents will pay anything for those wonderful photographs of their children :); February 18, 2007 5:23 AM
Señor Enrique said...: "Ano ba 'yan? Tama na!" was what she seemed to be saying, Rhoda! She apparently had enough of me pointing the camera at her :); February 18, 2007 5:25 AM
Señor Enrique said...: You're welcome, Belle. Just emailed you the Top Photo Tips. Hope you got it all right; been having problems with my Blogger again.; February 18, 2007 5:27 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Hi Dave! Are those pillars or what? And they certainly convey either Aztec or Egyptian influence -- very impressive, especially for a high school building! Ok, give me a day or two to figure the questions :); February 18, 2007 5:37 AM
Señor Enrique said...: I'm sure her parents would love to hear your comment, LAR. Thanks!

I'll post other pertinent photo-taking tips in the future :); February 18, 2007 5:38 AM
Anonymous said...: So sweet and cute, nothing more I could say to the little one. Nice shots.; February 18, 2007 7:04 AM
Anonymous said...: i really like a picture taken with a natural light and natural smile from a baby like your nephew!; February 18, 2007 9:57 AM
Belle TH said...: Eric,

Many thanks for the email. I got it this morning. Now, I have some serious reading to do. Thanks again!; February 18, 2007 10:46 AM
abet said...: elow eric,

wow i adore babies...nice shots!!; February 18, 2007 1:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Your nephew is such a wondrous sight, and very very cute. I often had hard time photographing my kids when they were babies kasi masyado malikot at magalaw.

Nice tips on the non-use of flash. I had thought that flashes are always needed even when daylight is at its peak.; February 18, 2007 2:32 PM
Anonymous said...: lovely innocence. babies are addicting. thanks for the tips, senor, useful ones, as we have 2 growing babies in the other house.hold, my son, J Angelo's; February 18, 2007 2:57 PM
christine said...: Firstly, she's so cute, ang sarap ng smile niya, nakakahawa! :)

Second, thank you again for the useful tips, please keep them coming.; February 18, 2007 8:59 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Jhay! She's only a couple of months and tends to sleep a lot still :); February 18, 2007 9:01 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Yes, Iskoo, it's much better to use natural light -- softer na, mas maganda pa ang details :); February 18, 2007 9:03 PM
Señor Enrique said...: You're welcome, Belle. Happy reading! :); February 18, 2007 9:04 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Hi Basy! What a wonderful surprise. Trust all is well with you ... and that you're making mucho dinero out there ... hehehe!; February 18, 2007 9:05 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Yes, Major Tom ... a flash unit can be used in broad daylight -- that is, if your the harsh sunlight is behind your subject which would tend to cast a shadow on her -- almost a silhouette. A flash would then cast a light on her :); February 18, 2007 9:09 PM
Señor Enrique said...: You're welcome, Dine. If you want to check out the photo tip guidebook, let me know and I'll email it to you ... and to whomever else who might want it :); February 18, 2007 9:11 PM
Señor Enrique said...: ou're welcome, Christine!

BTW, finally got to meet Anton and his wife last Saturday in Binondo :); February 18, 2007 9:12 PM
-= dave =- said...: Yup, those are pillars you see in his photoblog. Having four pillars on the main building facade is the "trademark" of my high school, although the old campus sports a classical design like in American government buildings. The one in the photo is of the new high school branch, built after I graduated. The Aztec/Egyptian feel is what the photo makes it appear to be, but I tink the original intention was a futuristic feel (like an integrated circuit). Similarly when I visited, I thought of these new pillars as parts of a space ship or a structure straight out of the sci-fi novel "Dune."; February 20, 2007 10:40 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Just the same, Dave, very impressive, indeed, for a high school campus. Goes to show how much dinero those Jesuits have stashed ... hehehe. BUT they're great educators, no doubt. One sci-fi flick that stands to mind always is Blade Runner.; February 21, 2007 6:54 AM

Wish you were here

Saturday, February 17, 2007

A SMILE AS BRIGHT AS SUNSHINE

33 Comments:

About Me

Archives

Recent Posts

Links