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 setting" 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 before shooting the children.

1.1. First, switch the camera to aperture priority mode. This will allow you to control the depth creatively, 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. Set 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 the lighting-set ISO to 2. If it is too dark, it will make the shutter speed too long. Please gradually increase ISO and stop at the smallest possible value. Ideally, if ISO is not higher than 8, otherwise there will be obvious pixelation.

1.2. Observe the shutter speed automatically selected by the camera. Try to keep its value equal to 1/2 second or more, if possible (when the child runs, then it is necessary to accelerate-1/5 will be a better choice or even more).

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

1.3. Focus 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 pictures 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 method of RAW/JPEG images.

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 do this, use a special diffuser to configure the flash, or send the flash itself to the side or ceiling, where the light is reflected, and the soft light in the room.

if there is no other light source, please try to find a shooting place with good natural light. For example, near a large window or near a light wall. Try to keep the room full of scattered light.

1.5. Try using different lenses. For example, a lens with actual zoom capability can be used. A lens size of 7-2mm allows you to shoot from a distance and fill the lens with your child. Another method might be interesting-shooting with a wide-angle lens. This will bring interesting distortion effect to the image. Second, shooting skills

Before starting some specific shooting suggestions, it is necessary to remind 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 hold cameras, you can try to get them to take pictures of each other. All these contents are to guide the children in the right way 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 a place outdoors (maybe in the park) and one indoors (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 playful environment. If you have time, go to the zoo, the beach or other places of entertainment.

2.2. Innocent side

Try to find out when children are most naive. Let a person do what he likes, and then start shooting. During the filming, you can stop and observe the children, or in a certain place. As time goes by, even in children's games, you will find many wonderful moments.

2.3. Pose

When taking photos 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 child's eyes at the same level

Children are usually short in height. If you take photos for your child from a overlooking angle, you will often get some mediocre photos. If you adjust your height to keep your child's eyes at the same level, keep the camera at the child's eye level (even slightly 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 children, for example, you don't need to take a complete picture to show the children's face in the composition from above, you will find the photos taken very interesting after shooting!

2.6. Focus on 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 be prominent.

also pay attention to the background of the photo. Before we start shooting, eliminate all the interference factors. For example, you can find a colorful wall, and even make a background picture of 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, pull his hands or eyelashes closer, and take a picture, so that only part of his head is in the picture. These interesting photos may be interesting and will increase the diversity of your photo conversation.

2.8, costume modeling choice

In the process of shooting, choose a dress that the child feels comfortable, which reflects his personality. If you dress 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 taking photos in the street or park, which is especially convenient for children 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), which will be very interesting.

2.1. Add others to the photos

This is a good way to help children relax. If children are a little nervous, add more backgrounds and stories to the photos. It can be a child's siblings, parents or friends. Adding another person to the camera brings a "relationship" idea to your image. This may also distract the child from you and the filming process and help him relax.

2.11, add fun to photos

Speaking of fun, show some photos you took to children and let them do something interesting. Photographers should have the thinking of finding humor and fun, and make reasonable and interesting suggestions for the subjects, so as to take real and interesting photos.