techniques used for family photos

[tyasa81]

Hi guys and gals,

been in a photographic rut lately concerning of the photos of family members... it's all fun when we go on a trip but at home doing routine stuff starts to get a little boring to take photos of everything... usually i had something to try (new gadgets) , a technique to get used to (wide open, strobe, studio, etc), a concept to explore (fpj, more environmental, portraits, candids)... however now since i'm in a rut just wondering what you guys do with your family shots... do u usually just take snaps? or do u usually actively think of a photo whether it is candid or posed... just looking for more ideas so i get a little bit more motivated till the next holiday trip...

lately i've been using my 11-16 at 2.8 to try to take weird distorted wide angle portraits... :P just to keep it different.. love to hear your ideas...

btw i have a 1 half year old daughter .. just that first year physical development is over... she's walking and running now.. most of what i notice is mostly mental development now... she's talking more, learning new words and being more independant... hard to take a photo of "talking" :P

[Happy_Mummy]

I have 3 kids with another on the way, and what I find myself taking photos of about him is what he is getting into - you can't take pics of her talking, but you can take photos of her reading and pointing out what she SEES in the books. Also if your weather is better than ours (read not snowing!!!) maybe park shots or outside action shots would be ideas to try. Even her on ride on toys. or doing effects with the sun behind you or silhouettes with the sun behind her.

[graciousness]

Close up portraits, my friend. She is developing more facial expressions and curiousity and you will real capture that with real close up shots.

I know what you mean, you do get tired of the same shots, the same places, etc. Birthday parties where kids can attend don't come often enough for a practicing photographer. So I think that it's time to expand the horizon and leave family portraits for a little bit and go to other areas of photography like landscape, etc, just to refresh your mind and juices.

Also, talking photos of other people will be a great idea. It will give you different perspective on the photojournalistic shots you want to do and it gives you new eyes.

Cheers,

Grace

[graciousness]

My brain just broke.

[tyasa81]

thanx guys... i just joined a critique group with several on going theme to get me started... and i'm dabbling in product shots now to get a refresh... and yeah... my brain just broke too.. what does that mean?? bust? for family? err.. definitely not i think...

[graciousness]

I was in the bookstore earlier and I found a book by this guy, David duChemin ("Within the Frame") and thought it was a great book. I think you should definitely have a look at this book as it will be inspiring as far as training the creative eyes, etc and identifying and bringing out the emotions out of photographs.

I've also just googled him and found that he also has some $5 e-books available from here - Craft & Vision | David duChemin. I think they're all worth a read.

[tyasa81]

thanx grace... i'll definitely take a look at the book when i go to the bookstore...

[Pearle]

It's just me & my husband, so I don't get a lot of opportunities for 'family shots'. He has started taking walks with me, so I spontaneously ask him to pop a quick pose. Sometimes it is by some rocks, trees, fence, etc. All of my family (kids, grandkids, siblings) live in states, & I live in Canada, so when we go see them, my camera is always with me, & I'm always taking pics. It's just a little Canon SX110 IS point & shoot, but I can fill a memory card in no time!

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by graciousness

I was in the bookstore earlier and I found a book by this guy, David duChemin ("Within the Frame") and thought it was a great book. I think you should definitely have a look at this book as it will be inspiring as far as training the creative eyes, etc and identifying and bringing out the emotions out of photographs.

I've also just googled him and found that he also has some $5 e-books available from here - Craft & Vision | David duChemin. I think they're all worth a read.

Great book! I just finished it.