NanasArt Print Photo Tips

Photographs of Pets or Children: Taking good quality photographs of a pet or child by yourself can be difficult. Getting a person to help you will not only make your task much easier, but will also cut back on possible stress for you and your subject and time spent taking your pictures. Try directing your subject's attention to something other than the camera.
Subject Location: Generally, natural daylight is preferred to flash photography. The right colors and shadows show up better with natural light and you can avoid the dreaded 'red-eye'. If at all possible, take photos outdoors on a bright but overcast day (not direct sunlight unless photographing a black animal). Some examples of good Bright Shade areas are on a porch or the shady side of a building. If the situation demands indoor photography due to safety or weather conditions, take photographs near a brightly lit window with the light coming from one side OR to the side and behind the subject, with some light falling on the face. When I draw the face; eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, dimples, etc are all rendered alive through the blending of shadows and highlights. Look at my web site portraits to see what I mean.
*If taking photos of more than 1 subject. Take group shots, as well as, individual shots, posed in the same location, lighting, and looking in the same direction. This will translate into a better representation of same space reality, with a credible light source creating shadows and highlights, in the final work of Art.
Consider the Background: Try to ensure the background is of contrasting color to your subject and that it is not too busy. Bad examples would be photographing a white dog with snow as the background, or a black cat on a navy couch.
Angles & Levels: When taking photos, the rule of thumb is 'don't look down at your pet or child'. Always get down to their eye level and photograph at a distance of about 3 - 6 feet. In some instances, a child may look great from a different angle, so experiment. For adults, take the photo with their face angled up, consider their best angle. They won't thank you if you emphasize an extra chin. These disappear realtively well when the face is held in such a way that the skin is taut. Once again, experiment for their best angle. Try not to take shots where your subject is facing the camera. Angled slightly to the left or right, will look better on the portrait, creating and emphasizing a 3-dimensional reality. Taking the photo itself from a front side angle always provides more depth, which relates extremely well into a Black & White Portrait.
Take close up facial photographs with the face in sharp focus and filling the frame (use your zoom feature). You can try posing your subject in many different angles, poses and views. Use an 'anti-shake' setting on your camera, use a tripod OR rest your camera, arm or body against a stable object to avoid a blurry photo. Take 3 deep breaths, to steady yourself and on the third, hold your breath in while you depress the button, to take the photo, this will help to eliminate camera movement (blurred photos), and create clearer details.
In taking photos, try to keep in mind the personality of your subject and how you would like them to be portrayed. Are they quiet or excitable and full of energy. Try to capture the most characteristic expression or pose. You may need someone to distract your subject, so that they become relaxed and ignore the camera while behaving their normal self. For animals, use a toy or treat, as long as it enables you to get their expressive face. For a child or adult, get them to think of a fantastic time they had, or something they really like. This a a great method to relax them, and capture a true facial expression. The topic could produce a smile.
Review your photos ... are the subject's characteristics that you want represented in the portrait, captured in your photo ? Have another photo session if necessary. This is part of your homework, and can take a few sessions to achieve.
Remember in order to love your portrait, you have to start out with photos that you love.