Comments on: Photographing Children – DPS Community Workshop

By: den_lim

den_lim — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:34:39 +0000

you can try the new 35mm f/1.8.
or sigma 30mm f/1.4.
better on a d40 than the 50mm f/1.8

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:15:46 +0000

I’ve been shooting kids with a 50mm prime because of the sharpnes and fast glass. However this can be an issue when close ups are in order.

I noticed that if one child is even 6-10 inches closer or father, they will be our of focus. Now shooting in continuous mode can partially address this there are still (in my opinion) too many great shots missed.

Just something to consider when it comes for group close ups with children, swap the fast glass for somethng else.

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:26:43 +0000

Taking pictures of children is one of my favorite things to do. One great thing about kids is that unlike adults, they couldn’t care less about how the hair looks or if “I don’t look good in pictures.” You get honest emotion. No fake smiles unless that’s what you want them to do. Shoot in bursts and get down on the floor or ground. Be patient and observant. Friends of mine who have children I have photographed have mentioned to me that my pictures are outstanding and realize it’s in part due to just being patient and taking lots of shots. There’s no magic to it. Just commitment.

By: Pete C

Pete C — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:31:10 +0000

Remember to bring your head back up from behind your camera and make direct eye contact with the kids – if you’re hiding behind your rig only looking through your viewfinder, trying to align that perfect shot, you’ll lose the connection with them.

And definitely get a fixed 50mm – moving from the kit lens to a 50mm USM f1.4 on my EOS 30d was the best thing I could’ve done in terms of image quality, as well as my own development as a hobbyist.

By: CampC

CampC — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:30:59 +0000

I use a Canon XTi and always use the Canon 50mm1.8 for portraits. Tack sharp and not expensive. Get to know the kids. Talk to them. Laugh with them. Even play with them. I get right down on the floor with little ones. Older kids like to jump, run and be silly. Get outside. Teen girls love to pose, esp ‘glamour’ shots, and guys sports, cars. I guess get involved and involve your subjects.

By: Corsi Fotografia

Corsi Fotografia — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:51:07 +0000

Well I own a nikon D200 and for portrait I really like fast lenses like 50mm f 1.4 and 85mm f1.8. You can reach suberb result with soft focus behind the subject and the right sharpness on the eye.

By: Sabrina Silvernale

Sabrina Silvernale — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:00:26 +0000

I only started photographing children recently, after becoming a grandmother – and also because many friends of mine have babies/children and know I love to shoot. I really try to use natural light when indoors and a higher ISO to do so. I fill the frame, meaning I get close. This means the kids need to be comfortable with me and associate me with the camera. I think it helps a great deal to be just you and the kids with “helpful” parents out of the area – if the child and parent can tolerate it. This just works best for me. It keeps babies looking at me/camera rather than Mom over there. It keeps older children engaged as well. I also let the kids investigate the camera and poses as well as locations. My granddaughter, now three, and I spend some special moments this way. She’ll either be a model or a photographer, or both, for sure. Not getting a fake smile can be difficult as kids grow older and more jaded. That’s when props are helpful – let them choose treasures to hold or play with, even if you end up cropping them out. Ask them to talk about their choices. One more thing, I am finally understanding the need for flash outdoors on sunny days. You can’t always get cooperation on posing, so use the fill flash. And, if you want a little one to stay put outside, take their shoes off. It makes for a less dated look, too. My best photos came from planning (clothing, location and camera settings) and quick thinking. My granddaughter and I were watering the grass and the light was beautiful, so I sprayed her. She got cold, wanted to change clothes (I had the dress ready). Her hair was wet, so it went under the hat I’d hoped for. I removed her shoes and placed on the kid-size rock and got what I dreamed of before she braved the pebbles underneath. Hope this wasn’t too long winded.Have fun and share your results.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:24:00 +0000

I shoot children all day long in a studio and the main key that everyone has hit on is allow the kids to be themselves, Yeah you may get some goofy shots with tongues sticking out or eyes crossed but between those shots be shooting also as they relax and I guarantee you will get some shots that mom and dad will LOVE

One thing I have found works and I will admit I don’t use it as much as I should with the older children. If it is possible plug your camera into a tv so they can instantly see what your getting. You will find they will get into it and start saying hey let me try this and then you begin working as a team

By: Ravenne

Ravenne — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:10:09 +0000

Interact with them. Make them feel comfortable with you. If that means you not pulling out the camera for a while so you can develop a rapport with them, so be it. Earn their trust, build an interest, ask them what they like, what strikes their fancy. Encourage them to just play, be themselves, do what they want to do, ask questions about them, and be interested in them. You’ll get genuine expressions, feelings and capture who they really are at this point and time.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:20:39 +0000

One thing I have learned with kids, is that while you have to be quick and constantly ready to snap a shot, at the same time, take your time and pay attention to what’s in the frame. An amazing picture can be ruined if you cut something out unexpectedly because you didn’t take the time to check your framing. Also, a lot of people have said this, but its definitely great advice- get on their level and play. Picking up the camera in between playing games with them catches them at their most natural moments and I have found that’s where I always get the best results.. Good luck =]