What’s Your Preference?

Mutter22 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 09:36 PM

OK I am new to DSLR photography and have been after a certain shot for ages now but am at a loss as to how to obtain it

. Basically I want to photograph the soles of our feet together. I was hoping someone might be able to give me some ideas as to how to set the shot up as I think it would look amazing.

OK so first of all I would like a shot of the soles of my baby's feet, then his big sister's feet at each side of his, then my feet each side of hers and then hubby's at each side of mine. This would hopefully provide me with a shot where, from left to right we have feet soles descending in size and then increasing again. Basically I would have to sit in between hubby's legs, my daughter in between mine and my son in between her's. I hope I have explained it well enough. If not DO please ask me to explain again as I would do just about anything to get this shot lol.

I would want the soles of our feet in focus but the background blurred or alternatively I was thinking of using a white / black (probably back actually) sheet / blanket to go under and around our legs so that the picture focuses solely (no pun intended

) on our feet and so that the back ground doesn't detract from the feet but I haven't managed to find a way of doing that. I did have a few ideas on how to set it up myself but I'm not going to mention them here ... yet because I want a fresh perspective on how to set this up as I couldn't get them to work for me. Then there's the matter of how to ensure that a 7 month old keeps his soles facing the camera. Hmmmm. Maybe I'm asking for too much and will have to wait until he's older and can sit still when asked??? I just want to capture his feet while they are still tiny though.

Heeeeeeeeeeeelp

Thanks in advance x

BigFuzzy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2012, 04:16 PM

This sort of shot sounds difficult for someone pretty new to this whole photography thing.

You're definitely going to need a few things to achieve what you want if you don't have them already (or someone willing to push the shutter for you).

Also, it'd really help if you told us what kit you have or are able to get your hands on (renting/borrowing). We can give you much more specificity.

A tripod
Someone to push the shutter or knowledge on how to use self timer.
A lens capable of a very shallow Depth of Field.
Fast shutter speed to prevent movement especially in the children.
The above means you need to have lots of natural light available or flash (and know how to use it).

The sheet/blanket thing will look pretty bad in my opinion if you don't also blur it out with DoF. I'd personally try to keep everyone (and their faces) in the shot though blurred out with DoF. Maybe have the older kid poking out left from behind the child, then you from the right and dad from the left again.. or spread it out like a fan/peacock feathers. Maybe use the sheet (or a plain wall) as the background to all of you instead of the way you noted?

Either way, tell us what you have, if you just have your kit lens you're not likely to get good enough DoF to blur out the background as you envision..

Mutter22 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2012, 08:48 PM

Thanks ever so much for your reply Bigfuzzy

You are right it IS going to be a difficult one.

I currently have a Canon EOS 1100D with the standard EFS 18 - 55mm lens. I'd be prepared to rent whatever I needed to get this shot though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

A tripod
Someone to push the shutter or knowledge on how to use self timer.
A lens capable of a very shallow Depth of Field.
Fast shutter speed to prevent movement especially in the children.
The above means you need to have lots of natural light available or flash (and know how to use it).

Tripod - check

knowledge of self timer - check. I'm sure I can get a friend to press the button too though.

lense capable of shallow depth of field - Nope. I'd need to rent / buy one. Do you have any recommendations? Alternatively there may be an option to blur the background using editing software? I'm sure it would look better using the right lense than editing it though, not to mention the amount of time and effort it would save.

fast shutter speed - check

natural light / flash - check. Well, in UK terms anyway which means natural light through a large window on a cloudy day. Does that count?

knowledge of how to use natural light / flash - nope but I can read up on that or I will happily take advice from anyone. I am happy to learn from trial and error although getting everyone to sit still (ish) for this shot may not be the best opportunity to take time to learn from mistakes.

I like the idea of having us in the shot as you describe but blurred out. Hadn't thought of doing it that way so thank you. Just the sort of input I am looking for.

Again, thanks for your advice

praline3001 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2012, 07:03 AM

Oh I love baby feet!!!!!!!!!!! I used to take photos of my kids' feet when they were still cute. Now all I have is too hairy, too stinky teenage feet to look at

I can't help the technical side of what you want though... out of my league. Some cute foot photography with kids I have seen or done though...

Have your daughter dancing on daddy's feet. The size difference and sentimental approach is always very sweet.

When outside, use a low F/stop and focus in on those toes, blurring the background. Crawling, running or whatnot in bare feet in the grass is really fun and a nice contrast.

Another very pretty photograph I saw once was this mom who let her toddler *finger paint* with his toes using a large poster type board. she used primary colors for the paint and the footprints/messy feet were ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry i couldn't help with the particular photo you want but thought I would throw my 2 cents in there in case you wanted to try something different with the feet.

Mutter22 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2012, 10:03 AM

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