Phographing Families: Tips for Capturing
Author: Michele Celentano
Edition: 1
ISBN: 1118391705
Number Of Pages: 256
Publisher: Wiley
Release Date: 2013-02-04
Details:
Create family portraits to cherish for a lifetime
Family photographs are a staple of both amateur and professional photography. While always in demand, they also pose a unique set of challenges. In this book, Canon Explorer of Light Michele Celentano guides beginning- to intermediate-level photographers around the common pitfalls and helps them learn how to get top-quality shots every time. From getting families organized and directing the posing to managing large groups and impatient kids, this book reveals the secrets and helps you capture the shot without relying on post-production to achieve perfection.
Whether you're a professional seeking to advance your knowledge or the family's designated picture-taker, you'll benefit from these professional tips. You'll learn camera techniques that can take pounds and years off your subjects and create images that stand the test of time.
- Family pictures are a photographic staple with their own set of challenges; this book offers tried-and-true advice for both hobbyists and professionals
- Veteran photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Michele Celentano guides you through getting families prepared for a photo session, directing the poses, handling challenging personalities, and creating memorable settings
- Helps you capture the perfect shot in the camera without relying on post-production to make it right
- Reveals secrets that can help your subjects shed pounds and years
- Packed with advice to help you keep your photos from showing up on awkwardfamilyphotos.com
Photographing Families: Tips for Capturing Timeless Images is loaded with insider tips to help you make family portraits the treasure they should be.
From the Author: Featured Photos and Tips
Almost all of the family portraits I create outdoors are planned around the sunset. Forty-five minutes before the sun goes down is the most beautiful light of the day, in my opinion. Seeking out open shade to place your subject is a great way to use the soft natural light of the late afternoon. In this image you can see the family has been placed in open shade but the sun is still direct and bright in the background. Notice that the boys on each end have their knees bent and their foot is pointed out. This is done on purpose to create a triangle base for the entire group. Creating shapes and lines in your group portraits is a great way to add visual interest. Using children to hide moms who feel uncomfortable about how they look is an easy way to camouflage her. Having the family in the same color focuses the attention on the faces of the family without clothes being a distraction. Since we were shooting in the desert I suggested brown for the color of the shirts knowing it would work well with the golden light and the desert colors. The Canon 5D Mark II and 70-200mm 2.8 IS was used to create this portrait. The aperture is f/4.0.
When you get the call about a family portrait with five children ranging in age from three to thirteen, the first thought that comes to mind is "chaos." These amazing children were all beautifully behaved and happy to be a part of their family portrait. I placed the oldest brother in the center of the image with his right foot on the track in order to create separation in his legs. This separation is the foundation on which this portrait is built on. I added the second oldest brother, also creating a separation between his feet. Adding in the sisters I brought the youngest and smallest sister to the front and finally added the youngest brother. I used the railroad tracks as the foreground and background creating leading lines. The tracks visually walk your eyes up to the most important part of the portrait. This image was created with the Canon 5D Mark II and the 70-200mm 2.8 IS lens with available light late in the day. My aperture is f/5.6 in order to have more of the image in focus.
As a family portrait photographer I love to see and capture the closeness between family members. In this image having Dad in the middle of the portrait shows that he is the center or "rock" of the family. With the children leaning into Dad and holding on to him there is a sense of togetherness. This portrait was created using available light about forty-five minutes prior to sunset. The Canon 5D Mark II and the 70-200mm 2.8 IS lens were used to capture this image. The aperture is f/3.5, which allows for all of the faces to be in focus while creating an out-of-focus background.
When posing people together, I try to avoid having heads stacked directly over one another. Having Dad lean on his left knee and Mom lean on his left I am able to create a diagonal line with their faces. This is where posing can really work for you and not against you. People leaning in, arms wrapped around each other, and the natural environment help to create a natural, relaxed portrait.
EAN: 9781118391709
Package Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
Languages: English
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