CaptureYour365

Isolate the Subject | No. 6 in a Kids’ Photography Series

Kelly Buss — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:21 +0000

Over the past five months, my boys have been working diligently on their own 365 project. Since we studied the concepts of aperture, depth of field, and the rule of thirds, I thought it was time to challenge the boys with the prompt, “Isolate the Subject”. Right away, my seven and eight year-old boys asked, “Uhh, what does ‘isolate’ mean?” My quick answer about drawing the viewer’s eye straight to the subject without any other distractions was met with blank stares. To aide in their understanding, I started questioning them. “What could you change on the camera settings to isolate the subject?” “How could you remove distracting things from the background?” “What could you do while setting up the shot to isolate the subject?”

Here are three things the boys said:

“Mom, I would change that number, you know, …what is that ‘a’ word again?” I replied, “Aperture.” “Yeah, aperture. I want that number small, right?”
“We need to make sure that there is nothing funny in the background, like a branch or tree or toy. And I would try to make the background plain.”
“I like the way the pictures look when we take them in the barn. The shadows really help the subject stand out. I would try taking pictures there.”

Although the boys did not use the correct terminology, each tip they suggested shows their understanding of photography and offers the young photographer a simple solution for isolating the subject.

Widen Your Aperture

After my previous posts about depth of field and aperture, the boys began to understand how aperture effects the depth of field. By changing their aperture to a smaller f-number (wider aperture) and thus shallower depth of field, they created a picture where the only thing in focus was their subject.

Control the Background

For my boys, this was the easiest way to isolate the subject because it does not involve changing settings on the camera. I sent the boys out to hunt for areas in our yard that they could use as backgrounds. They came back with several ideas such as the grass, the deck steps, and the sky. Next, we talked about composing the picture so that the subject is completely surrounded by the background. I reminded them that this means changing the angle from which they are shooting. Finally, I sent them back out with the camera and their LEGO mini-figure to capture the shot.

Use Light

By using either dark shadows to black out the background or bright light to create a backlit scene, the boys brought attention to the subject. On our little farm, we discovered that the lighting near our barn stalls works perfectly for this. If the boys shoot from outside the barn looking inside, they achieve perfect natural lighting on the subject with a dark background. If they shoot from the inside looking out, they create either a soft back-lit shot or a silhouette.

What are other ways to isolate the subject?

My Lightroom 4 Workflow | Develop Module: Let’s Get Editing

Katrina Kennedy — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:59:33 +0000

Here we go! We are FINALLY diving into the Develop Module after spending A LOT of time in the Library Module.

There you are. My basic work flow. See, not so hard is it? There is so much more! Let me know in the comments below what was new to you and what else you’d like to learn! I’ll be back with more!

Get on the list to get more photo tips!

Capturing My Kiddo

Katrina Kennedy — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:22:39 +0000

Do you look at your kids and feel like you can see them growing right in front of you? Are you compelled to capture the moments before they are gone?

From the day Ian was born I’ve felt that pull. That need. That desire to capture his personality, his habits, his moments, him. It’s been a strange feeling of his leaving me. That is the goal right? Raise him and get him out into the world. I never expected that feeling to be so strong when he was so young. But it is.

In Your Kids Captured Through The Lens I cover your camera AND technique for photographing your kids at their best (and their worst). I’m joined by 6 amazing moms who share a love for photography and for capturing their kids. They each provide their perspective and strategies for making the most of some of the most difficult photography subjects!

I asked them to answer one question.

What Do You Love Most About Photographing Your Kids?

With four kids, I love the challenge of capturing their individual personalities. – Sharyn Tormanen

What I love most about photographing my kids is capturing their smiles, laughs, and loves. – Carol Elliott

I can’t stop time, but I can freeze a moment forever with my camera. -Myra Cherchio

I love capturing certain fleeting moments that I would otherwise miss, and having them forever to look back on again and again. – Amber Ries

Capturing the real them, the way I see them. – Melanie Grimes

I love to photograph my kids because as they no longer live with me I love to see them days and weeks later living life, laughing, just being – all real life stuff. Special memories. – Sam Ellis

What about you? What do you love about photographing your kids?

Your Kids Captured Through The Lens starts May 10. Registration closes TOMORROW! Sign up now!

A Week In The Life

Katrina Kennedy — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I love a good excuse to carry my camera. Ali Edwards’ Week In The Life project is always a favorite reason to carry it everywhere I go. Since, you know, my 365 project isn’t justification enough !

I needed to do things differently this time around. I needed my photos to come together quickly and easily. I gave the Lightroom Book module a try. And I have to say…I LOVED it! I loved the flexibility and the ease of working with my photos in one program from start to finish.

I’ll share the process soon, but for now, I’ll share the finished book. I completed it in just two hours from start to finish. Add another 30 minutes of editing and shuffling. 10 minutes to upload. Done.

And the photos? I kept them simp. Quick edits and some of the less than stellar as well!

Have you given a Week In the Life a try? What do you love about it?

A Week In Our Life | April 2012 by Katrina Kennedy | Make Your Own Book

Is photographing your kids like “herding cats” or “nailing jello to a tree?” Join me for Your Kids Captured Through The Lens for strategies to help make it a little easier on you!

My Lightroom 4 Workflow | Library Module: Smart Collections

Katrina Kennedy — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:01:44 +0000

This week I’m diving a little deeper into the Library Module of Lightroom 4. I want to find my photos FAST when I need them for printing, scrapbooking, or viewing. One way I do that is with Smart Collections. In this video I walk you through my process.

Do you use smart collections? What are a few of your go to collections?

Increasing Depth of Field | No. 5 in a Kids’ 365 Series

Kelly Buss — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:01:06 +0000

For the past two weeks, my boys have been repeating the Depth of Field exercise from my last post. Since the first exercise was designed with a small DOF, each one eventually came to the same conclusion, “How do we increase the DOF?”

This week’s exercise explores the connection between DOF and aperture.

Depth of Field Exercise No. 2

Supplies: Yardstick, 4-5 similar size toys, great lighting.

Camera Settings: Aperture Priority, Wide Aperture, (I started with the smallest aperture my lens allowed, f/5.0).

Just as in the first exercise, place your camera at the beginning of the yardstick.
Next, place the first toy at 14”. (This was the closest distance at which my lens could focus. You may need to adjust this distance based on your lens choice.)
Spread the remaining toys out at 20”, 26”, 32”, and 38”.

If your child doesn’t know how to change the aperture on your camera, now is a great time to teach him!

Beginning at the widest aperture, shoot the scene.
Change the aperture after each shot, but never move the camera.
Work from the widest aperture all the way to the narrowest aperture.

My son went from f/5.0 to f/32, snapping a shot at multiple stops between the two.

Finally, compare the photographs. What does your child notice? Guide them to see the differences in the depth of field. Look for details to emerge in the toys as the aperture number grows bigger.

Again, it was my 7 year-old who really enjoyed this process. Also, he made a huge leap in comprehension when he said, without any prompting, “Oh I get it now! If I want my guy to stand out, I use a small f-number. If I want to see the whole picture [in focus], I use a big f-number, right?”

That was a proud mama moment for me.

Be sure to share your child’s project with us in the Kids’ Gallery!

Join me for Your Kids Captured Through The Lens

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Congratulations Lawyerlyn! You were the randomly selected winner for a copy of Everyday Storyteller! Get on the list for the VIP Party this Friday!

Everyday Storyteller | Win It Before You Can Buy It!

Katrina Kennedy — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:59:19 +0000

Are you an Everyday Storyteller?

If you are a Capture Your 365 regular, you know my stories begin with great light! My favorite scrapbook pages have my favorite photos. And my favorite photos? They are about the light.

I stalk great light.

Knowing where it is and when it will arrive helps me to be ready to grab my everyday stories. Good light lets my subject shine and makes finding the right camera settings much easier. Good natural light is even, non-blotchy, and lights up a person’s eyes with beautiful catch lights.

I share even more about light and where to find it in Everyday Storyteller!

Everyday Storyteller: 33 Practical Ideas from Real World Scrapbookers is a digital idea book from the owner of Simple Scrapper, Jennifer Wilson. It will be released at 10pm CDT on Friday, May 4 immediately following a live chat launch party.

With 33 inspiring contributions from across the scrapbooking industry, Everyday Storyteller is an essential resource for the modern memory keeper. Find out how your favorite scrapbookers document their stories, create amazing pages and still have time to make memories.

Sign up for a VIP invitation to the launch party at 8:30pm CDT on Friday, May 4. There will be more than $700 in prizes given away from our sponsors during the party.

May 365 Idea List

Katrina Kennedy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:20:00 +0000

May! I love May.

I love the flowers, colors, and light. Photo opportunities seem to appear everywhere I look in May!

Do you feel the same?

This month’s list features some variety and two very special Guest Contributors! CY365 Community Members Kim DiNapoli and Ellaine Millar are featured guests. They contributed ideas and photos for our 365. You can do the same for June! We’d love to have you.

Grab the May list and in the comments below, share what you love most about the idea list.

Inspired Without Cooperation | Weekend Reading

Katrina Kennedy — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:02:03 +0000

POTD 04-25-2009 Sometimes the smallest thing is perfect for your photo of the day.

Finding subjects for your daily photos can get tricky. It’s especially difficult when your family doesn’t want to cooperate and you’re left with inanimate objects.

For today’s weekend reading, I’ve rounded up some clever takes on a few of the week’s prompts including a collection of ideas on a Pinterest Board I created! Just a little something to get your creative juices flowing!

Things To Photograph That Aren’t People | My Newest Pinterest Board

Clever Movie Posters Showing Famous Movie Posters From Behind | Peta Pixel

Project 365 From 15 Respected Creative People | 10 Steps (some people and some not photos, but all awesome)

Where do you find inspiration when the people around you don’t want to cooperate?

Want help photographing uncooperative kids?

My Lightroom 4 Workflow | Library Module: Flag & Keyword

Katrina Kennedy — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:34:15 +0000

Ready to begin exploring the Lightroom Library Module?

After importing photos into Lightroom, I flag and keyword them. This video walks you through my steps.

A few of the shortcut commands I mention include:

Command / View shortcuts in module

\ Show Library filter

Command Delete Select & delete rejected photos

X Flag as reject

P Flag as a pick

C Compare

Command K Opens Keyword window