MMK Photography

Just putting it out there… Whenever I go to a photoshoot I often hear people say ‘WOW that’s a really nice camera. It must take good photos.’ While it’s true, that for my craft, it really helps to have some great (read expensive!) gear, any person not relying on their camera for their profession can create some awesome memories with the point and shoot camera that they already have. Camera technology is simply amazing and you can get a really great camera for pretty cheap these days. I know that the fancy schmancy digital camera that I bought for $1200 around 8 years ago would now retail for around $150! Unbelievable! But very very cool as well! In my opinion if you understand a few basic things, you can make what were once average looking photos pretty darned special just by adjusting a few things before you press the shutter. I am by no means an expert in teaching people ANYTHING at all but these are just a few things that really stood out for me when I first began learning photography. If it means that just one person who reads it checks out the LCD display on the back of their camera and goes ‘holy crap check out this photo I just took!’ then that is pretty cool for me.

1. Learn How Your Camera Sees Light.

Thats what a camera is all about- capturing light. And most digital cameras- even really, really good ones- can only see a fraction of the shades of light that the human eye can see. They look for an average brightness and try to make everything as clear as possible. This means they cannot see the bright blue sky at the beach AND that awesome toothy grin of your two year old when their back is to the sun. Ideally, you want your subjects skin looking natural, so move your subject into shade or position your camera so that the background is not so bright. If you learn to see things as your camera does, (and please don’t sling me with rotten tomatoes…but have a quick flip through your camera manual!)- you will be able to understand how your camera sees light a little better.

2. Soften The Light.

Harsh midday light creates dark shadows and strong highlights which don’t make for the most flattering pictures of people. Look for ways to soften the light either by placing your subject in the shade or get up early in the morning, wait ’til late in the afternoon (half an hour before and after sunset is ideal) or an overcast day. Better still, find a bright, well-lit room in your house and place your subject side on to a window. Bathrooms can be awesome for this due to the expanse of white tiles. By window light I don’t mean the sun needs to be streaming through hitting your subject but rather, the brightness of the sun outside makes the window like a large box of soft light. Window light is absolutely beautiful and will cast lovely soft shadows on your subject, just make sure to shoot so that the window is not in your frame or your camera will try to ‘see’ what is outside as well and may turn your subject dark.

3. De-clutter The Background.

Dirty or messy backgrounds can take the focus off your subject and compete for the viewers attention. It’s not always the case, and if your intention is to illustrate what a crazy, ball of destruction your kid is then maybe it’s helpful to place them in that environment but in most situations an overly busy background just detracts from what you are trying to show people. Move your subject or move yourself so that the background compliments your subject but does not compete for attention. Cool! Hope that makes sense…

4. Change Your Perspective.

For kids and pets especially, it looks heaps better if you can get down to their level to take a photo. I know you may have to get your dirty denim actually dirty but thats small price to pay for a great photo- in my opinion anyway! Just get down low and peek into their world like another little person, it’s amazing what you may notice. Suddenly you may see things you never noticed before. Like how they have tied their shoes all wrong or how cute their smile is through the tiny door on their doll house. To me, these are the details that make your life unique and are worth capturing and preserving. Take this theory of changing your perspective and apply it to any other subject you are photographing and your photos will come out with a lot of extra interest. Climb a ladder. Or a tree. Or a mountain. Check out the view and share what you see. Chances are no one took a photo from there before.

5. Snap it Up. Digital is Free.

The best way to learn your camera and start taking better photos is to just do it! Digital images are basically free unless you get them printed. And just because you took it does not mean that you have to upload it. Get friendly with the ‘delete’ button and analyse how you could have made your photo better. That way when you turn professional you’ll be great at critiquing every single tiny little thing that you could have done better!;)

6. Content Always Wins.

Which brings me to the last thing you should remember and that is that the content of your photos always wins over the technical stuff. A photo that makes your heart almost stop because it makes you remember the love you felt for your child at the exact moment in time that you took it is far more precious and deserving of a spot in your album than one which ticks all the boxes technically. After all, thats why we take photos. To remember and to feel. If you can do that then you win.

If you have any suggestions that you’d like to add please feel free to hit the comments section and add your helpful hints. You are most welcome.

Thanks for spending a little time with me:)

Kath