Spooky Halloween Photograpy Tips

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. "Trick-or-treaters, jack-o'-lanterns, costume parties, and decorated haunted houses will surely be a part of your Halloween weekend" according to Ritz Pix's photography instructor Digi Pixels. This cool episode should help you get some unforgettable photos:

Costumes are the centerpiece of any Halloween celebration. They come in many varieties, from last minute masks to elaborately planned group themes. Wearing a costume on Halloween is expected almost anywhere you go, but my number one piece of advice for photographing costumes is to take the pictures early! The makeup is still fresh, the masks are on, and the kids' sugar rushes have not yet hit their peak. Take several photos: group shots, individual shots, posed shots, and candids. Use backgrounds to enhance your photo, like a spooky tree or a decorated yard. Also, compose your photo to be appropriate for the costumes in the picture. For example, a beautiful princess will look better on a grand staircase than at a haunted cemetery. Encourage your subjects to act the part of the costume...you'll be surprised at how quickly both kids and adults will get into it!


Nothing says "Halloween" like a picture of a jack-o'-lantern, but many people never seem to get a good shot of their favorite carved pumpkin. Usually, the problem is your flash. Most cameras will pop the flash automatically, especially if it's dark. However, the tone of the flash is cold compared to the warm glow from the jack-o'-lantern, so the photo doesn't turn out like you want it to. To fix this, turn off your flash, raise your ISO to 400 or 800, and slow down the shutter speed. Also, try using a tripod or table to avoid a blurry photo.

- The autumn leaves and colors make a great background for Halloween photos. Weather permitting, be sure to capture the autumn colors in your photos.

- Play around with night mode on your camera. It will pop a flash but allow for ambient light to show in the background, which can create a wonderful (and sometimes spooky) color shift.

-Try shooting from different angles rather than straight on. A unique angle can turn an ordinary photo into a fantastic one!

- Try a few different techniques a day or two in advance, so when Halloween arrives, you'll know how to get the perfect shot!

- Convert your Halloween photos to black and white or sepia to add suspense or enhance their overall "spookiness."

Tips of the Trade: Shoot Like a Photojournalist

I really loved this month's newsletter from Digi Pixels' Digital Photography 101 episode. I think in my heart of hearts, this portraiture photographer longs to be a photojournalist. My roots as a print journalist always have me seeking that candid, storytelling shot that I make sure I capture during every session. So I thought I'd share this episode with you in case you long to be a photojournalist too:



Have you ever glanced at the front page of the paper and seen a photo that told you everything you needed to know about the lead story? Photojournalists have the job of doing exactly that: telling a story or capturing a moment in a photo that needs no further explanation. Today I'd like to tell you a little about shooting like a photojournalist and how to apply it to your own photography.


Framing and Angles
A successful photojournalist will take full advantage of his or her frame, and will use angles to capture or omit details of the image that help tell the story. For example, a close up of a crying 5 year old child invokes emotion and sympathy, but when the same image shows the child crying as she gets onto a school bus, the photo becomes humorous. When you review your own photos, ask yourself, "does this photo need a caption or does the image say it all?"


Commentary through Photos
Taking a picture is more than just capturing a moment; when you take a picture, you are commenting on how a situation makes you feel, and translating your reaction into a photograph. For example, a picture of an elderly woman on a park bench can mean several things, depending on how you shoot the photo. If you frame the elderly woman on the far side of the photo with an empty bench next to her, that photo could represent loneliness or longing. But, if you frame the woman on the bench surrounded by cars and people on the go, then she could symbolize a moment of peace in the midst of a busy day. Finally, if you shoot the picture vertically with an old weathered tree behind the woman, you are making a statement about aging. Another example is a boy with a toy rocket ship -- if you frame the shot so the boy and his rocket ship are in the bottom with a lot of blue sky filling the rest of the shot, then you are saying something about the youthful innocence of our dreams. We as photographers have so much control over the emotion of a picture; the key is to ask yourself what you want to convey, then find the angle to capture it.


Taking the Shot
You need to learn to be quick on your feet when shooting as a photojournalist. I recommend this approach: as a situation is unfolding in front of you, take one or two pictures quickly, just to make sure that you get the shot. You can always go back and edit those later if you don't end up with anything better. Then, if there is time, examine the scene to look for the right angle or approach to express the feeling or statement you are after. Move your position, change angles, and mind the background and foreground. Keep shooting until the moment passes or until you are sure that you got the perfect shot.

Get the Goods: Tips on Camera Shopping

Over the weekend, I got a great email from "Digi Pixels" with Ritz Pix featuring tips on camera shopping.

Here is Digi's Photo Tip No. 61:

The gift-giving season is upon us! Have you made your list and checked it twice? I have a great suggestion…a digital camera! You might say, "There are so many to choose from -- which one should I buy, Digi?" Well, I'm glad you asked! Read on for some tips for buying a digital camera this holiday season...



Point and Shoot vs. DSLR
Before going to the camera store, ask yourself, "what kind of pictures will so-and-so be taking?" If they are more likely to take party shots and candids, then a point and shoot camera is probably the best bet. If they will be taking more advanced photos and are serious (or at least, mildly interested) about the craft of photography, then you should look into getting them a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. Here are the differences between the two:



Point and Shoot – These are smaller cameras with a fixed lens and built in flash, and typically are pocket-size cameras.
DSLR – These cameras allow you to look through a lens and shoot. You can change lenses, use an external flash, and have more control over advanced features and settings. Typically, DSLR cameras are larger and more expensive.
Additional Questions to Ask
Once you decide between the two basic camera types, ask yourself the following additional questions. Go to the store prepared to tell the clerk exactly what features you must have and what you can live without:

Will the person you are buying for use mostly automatic settings, manual settings, or a mix? Most Point and Shoot and DSLR cameras provide options for both auto and manual settings, but DSLR cameras provide more control and are more advanced in general.




How much zooming will you need? Do you need telephoto lenses?DSLR cameras allow you to use various lenses, while Point and Shoot cameras come with a built in lens that usually cannot be changed. Keep in mind that some extreme zooms produce a lower quality image.

Is a built in flash enough or do you need to be able to use an external flash? Point and Shoot cameras usually have a built in flash and probably cannot be connected to an external flash, while DSLR cameras allow you to use an external flash (as well as other hardware accessories). An external flash is always better than a built in flash because it provides better lighting and more control.

Does the camera fit the person's hands? If the person you are buying for has large hands then a small camera may be hard for them to operate and adjust. Point and Shoot cameras are typically smaller, while the DSLR cameras are larger and require you to carry them by hand or in a case.




Is the viewing screen big enough? Larger viewing screens allow for easier viewing and shooting but may not always be necessary depending on the situation. Viewing screen sizes vary on both camera types.

Don't forget about accessories: memory card, tripod, protective case, batteries, etc.



Don't get caught up in "Megapixel Mania!"
Most cameras nowadays come with at least 5 megapixels, which is more than enough for an 11x14 print. If you think the person you are buying for will be ordering large prints frequently, then you may want to look into a camera with a higher megapixel range. But if the person will be printing mostly 4x6 prints, do not spend more money to get more megapixels. Higher megapixel images take up more room on a memory card, so more megapixels may in fact be disadvantageous in some situations. The bottom line is to look at the lifestyle of the person you are buying for and decide based on that.

I hope this helps you decide which camera to buy this holiday season! Next time we'll look at how to take beautiful photos of Holiday light displays. Until then, have fun shopping, and Happy Holidays!

Tips of the Trade: Capturing that Ghost Effect This Halloween

I regularly subscribe to various Digital Photography 101 tip pages, including emails I receive from Lifepics' Digi Pixels. I thought this week's episode explaining how to capture the ghost effect in pictures this Halloween would be extremely timely.

"The Ghost Effect creates an eerie blurry trail around your subject without losing focus, giving the impression that a ghost has haunted your picture!



Set the Scene...
To begin, set your camera to manual mode. Use a longer exposure (around 1/2 second), set your aperture to f11, and set your ISO to 800. The exact settings will depend on the amount of light you are using, so use these settings and adjust from there. The key to this shot is to make sure your flash is set to trigger; the flash will help create the ghost effect.

...and Take the Shot!
Next, get your victims -- I mean subjects -- ready. As you take the shot, move the camera intentionally, or have your subjects move while the shutter is still open (for example, ask them to jump as you shoot). The flash will freeze the scene, but the movement will create the ghost-like trails surrounding the subject. Be sure to take a few shots and adjust if needed. For lower light situations, raise your ISO and slow down the shutter speed, and do the opposite if you are shooting in a lot of light. Keep shooting until you get it right!

A Few More Tricks (or Treats)
Another technique you can try while shooting the Ghost Effect is to raise your ISO to intentionally make the picture grainier or noisier. Try ISO 800 or 1600, or even 3200 if your camera goes that high. This technique works best for dimly lit areas, like your outside porch. Also, try placing a color gel (such as orange) over the flash to add some more color to the shot. Finally, take a look at the last email I sent about converting the image to black & white or sepia for another spooky enhancement."