Photo Talk

I have written for club magazines over a long period. I'm helping with a magazine now, and will post the articles.

Photographing Babies

Getting an appealing expression on a baby’s or toddler’s face can be frustrating. Here’s some tips that may help:

Babies from three to six months will respond to actions and will turn their head to follow moving objects. From six to nine months, try a stuffed animal and a game of “peek-a-boo” to bring on a smile.

Toddlers are usually shy, and need patience. Some play beforehand pretending to take pictures, may help to accustom the child to your actions. A spare camera, unloaded, is useful for this. Threes to fives are into silly jokes and antics—try to keep them laughing.

Pick your time; baby should have had a nap, been fed and changed. Parents can help with necessities: a wet face cloth kept handy, hair brush, change of clothes, baby blanket, favourite toys.

Babies and toddlers often need to be held in their parent’s arms before they relax and look happy. If the child is not cooperating, try a favourite toy as a distraction.

Soft lighting is best; use window light, overcast daylight outdoors, bounced light. If you can't avoid direct lighting, use fill flash.

Take it with you

Murphy’s Law of Missed Opportunities will tell you that the best shot you have ever seen is when you’ve left your camera at home. You can’t get the picture if you’ve got nothing to take it with.

Read the instructions

Today's cameras are far too complicated for the average person to remember everything that the camera does—or how to get it to do what you want. Copy the essential details onto a sheet of card that you can tuck away into the camera bag or your purse. Also note the precise brand and type-number of the batteries; shop assistants often sell you something different which they will positively assure you is “just as good”.

Make a habit of re-reading the full manual at least once a year. When you have a shot or two on the end of a roll, try out a feature such as ‘fill flash’. Then you’ll know how to do it when you need it, and what results to expect.

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