How to shoot children's photography and what shooting skills are there?

We will return to the issue of children's photography again, because it is always closely related to us. This paper collects some skills about children's photography. It is described in the following two parts: "camera settings" and "shooting". The content in this paper is all practical experience, not general dogmatic content.

First, the camera setting stage Let's consider the camera setting problem before shooting children.

1. 1. First, switch the camera to aperture priority mode. This allows you to creatively control the depth, which is very important for portraits. If your camera doesn't have this function, it may have a "portrait" mode, which is worth trying to get a beautiful blurred background. Adjust the aperture to f/5.6 and you can start using it. This will not make the background out of focus, and will give you enough depth of field to keep the model's face clear.

According to your shooting location (indoor or outdoor) and lighting conditions, set ISO to 200. If it is too dark, the shutter speed will be too long. Please gradually increase ISO and stop at the smallest possible value. Ideally, ISO is not higher than 800, otherwise there will be obvious pixelation.

1.2. Observe the shutter speed automatically selected by the camera. Try to keep its value equal to 1/200 seconds or longer, if possible (when the child runs, then speed up-1/500 will be a better choice or even more).

So if it is too dark, you can increase the ISO value or open the aperture a little. If you are not sure about the shutter speed and your picture is blurred because the child is moving too fast, try setting the camera to "sports mode".

1.3, focusing mode. Set autofocus to focus. If you are shooting fast-moving children, you need to know exactly what your camera is focusing on.

1.4, take photos with RAW. This will give you more opportunities to edit your photos. If your time is limited, or you can't edit your work, JPEG will help you. It is also convenient to keep the combination of RAW/JPEG pictures.

Of course, you can limit the use of the camera's built-in flash. If there is an external flash, please note that its light needs to be scattered. To this end, use a special diffuser to configure the flash, or send the flash itself to the side or ceiling, where it reflects light and soft light in the room.

If there is no other light source, please try to find a shooting location with good natural light. For example, near a large window or near a light wall. Try to fill the room with scattered light.

1.5, try using different lenses. For example, a lens with actual zoom capability can be used. The lens size of 70-200mm allows you to shoot from a long distance and fill the lens with your children. Another method may be interesting-shooting with a wide-angle lens. This will bring interesting distortion to the image.

Second, shooting skills Before starting some specific shooting suggestions, it should be reminded that photographers who shoot children must first ensure that children feel comfortable in front of the camera. What do we need to do? Take some test photos and show them to the children-here are their photos. If children are old enough to take a camera, you can try to get them to take pictures of each other. These contents are to give children the correct guidance and prepare for the next shooting.

2. 1, location

It depends on your situation and the shooting location. Consider using 2-3 positions. All this needs to be done before shooting. If you have a few hours to shoot, choose an outdoor place (maybe in the park) and an indoor place (maybe in the bedroom or game room), and try to find a fairly simple background to take some photos. When you choose a place, remember that they must be suitable for children's intensive sports, so that you can show them in a natural play environment. If you have time, go to the zoo, the beach or other places of entertainment.

2.2, the naive side

Try to find out when the child is the most childish. Let a person do what he likes, and then shoot. During the filming, you can stop and observe the children, or be somewhere. Over time, even in children's games, you will find many wonderful moments.

2.3, posture posing

When taking pictures of older children, you may find that they perform better in posing. Children simply don't have enough attention and patience (they often make you look ridiculous or pose).

2.4. Keep your eyes and children at the same level.

Children are usually shorter. If you take pictures of children from the perspective of overlooking, you will often get some mediocre photos. If you adjust your height to the same level as your child's eyes and keep the camera within the child's line of sight (even a little lower)-you will get a confident and lively photo.

2.5, change the shooting angle

As mentioned above, it is not good to take pictures of children from above, which involves the problems of angle and composition. If you shoot directly from above or below the child, for example, you don't need to take a complete photo from above, you will find the photos taken very interesting!

2.6, pay attention to eye close-ups.

Children's photography pays special attention to children's eyes. You can allow other features of children's faces to be blurred. Please remember that children's eyes must stand out.

Also pay attention to the background of the photo. Before we start shooting, eliminate all interference factors. For example, you can find a colorful wall, or even make a background picture with some children standing in front of him.

Alternatively, you can illuminate the object so that the background is invisible.

2.7, abstract composition

For example, take a picture of a child's shoes, draw his hands or eyelashes closer, and take a picture so that only a part of his head is in the picture. These interesting photos may be interesting and will increase the diversity of your photo dialogue.

2.8, clothing modeling choice

In the process of shooting, choose the clothes that the child feels comfortable and reflect his personality. If you dress your children in holiday clothes, they will not be able to move freely, and your photos will look too flashy and unnatural.

2.9, continuous shooting

Continuous shooting is for taking pictures in the street or in the park, which is especially convenient for children to use when they are constantly exercising. You can take "series" pictures, and then combine them with multiple images, or combine them into a big picture (such as children running, sliding, dancing, cycling, etc.). With the help of photo post-processing software (such as photoshop or lightroom), it will be very interesting.

2. 10, add others to the photo.

This is a good way to help children relax. If the child is a little nervous, you can add more backgrounds and stories to the pictures. It can be a child's brothers and sisters, parents and friends. Adding another person to the camera will bring the concept of "relationship" to your image. This may also distract the child from you and the filming process and help him relax.

2. 1 1 to add interest to the photos.

Speaking of fun, show children some photos and let them do something interesting. Photographers should have the thinking of looking for humor and fun, and put forward reasonable and interesting suggestions for the subjects in order to take real and interesting photos.