Photography Tip #1

I am starting the new year with the most important tip I think a photographer can give.  TURN OFF YOUR FLASH!  No matter what kind of camera you have, you have the option of turning it off.  And the awesome thing about the high tech cameras these days (even the point and shoot), they will automatically adjust the settings to give you the best possible picture without the flash.  Most cameras, (even my digital SLR) when it is on automatic, will turn the flash on when it is not needed.  The first picture below is an example of your worse case with flash.  My oldest son loves making funny faces for me, but this one was not on purpose!  I put my camera in automatic, out popped the flash, and caused Blue to do this.  It is a funny picture, but not one I want to send grandma and grandpa.  The next picture is a comparison between two pictures, one with flash and one without.  Do you like the bottom one better?  I sure do.  My son has natural skin color and not blown out by the flash.  Even without the flash, Blue still has a little twinkle in his pupil.  I shoot all my photos with natural light.

So, if your room is pretty well lit or you are outside, make sure to turn your flash off.  If your camera has the option to take portraits, turn it on that option, and your it will adjust to take more light in.  If your little child is running around, put the “sports” option on.  If it turns out fuzzy, that means your camera isn’t taking the picture fast enough, so you might want to turn that flash on, just so you can capture the moment your child is doing a cartwheel.  If you have any questions and want to learn more, please feel free to contact me!