11-22-2011, 02:31 AM
Taking a completely different, non-technical approach to the issue of children's portraits, there are many tricks you can use - and it takes experience to learn how to deal with kids of different ages and temperaments.
I'd say with kids under 5 it's always good to have an assistant - someone good with kids who can distract them and/or keep them amused so they'll sit still. I often get friends or my partner to clown around just behind me, often using a 'prop' to hold the kids' attention and keep them looking at the camera. The main thing is to keep the kids happy and engaged - once they get bored or stressed you've lost it. Then it's better to wait 15 minutes and try again.
Another trick is to let the kids use your camera - this often works with kids who don't enjoy being passive. Just let them be in control for a while and shoot some pics of people/objects, then suggest to swap roles and let them be the model. A common mistake is to treat kids like pets and force them to pose or 'smile' for the camera. Kids have a sense of privacy too, and they are justified for feeling imposed upon by parents and relatives who just shoot them without ever asking. It's smarter to get the kids interested in what you're doing, and make them feel comfortable with you and the camera.
In general, let the kids do their own thing - ask if they'd like to pose with a friend, a pet, or a prop (my son likes dressing up for photos, but doesn't otherwise enjoy me shooting him). Often they're happy just playing with something or letting you shoot while they paint or whatever.
Candid shots are a different kettle of fish of course, but then its often more like wildlife photography - keep a distance and wait for the moment. If you can, get them outside, because in northern countries, particularly in winter, most houses/apartments are just too dark to get decent results.
Anyway, just my few cents, and a way of avoiding any complex equations and stuff. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
I'd say with kids under 5 it's always good to have an assistant - someone good with kids who can distract them and/or keep them amused so they'll sit still. I often get friends or my partner to clown around just behind me, often using a 'prop' to hold the kids' attention and keep them looking at the camera. The main thing is to keep the kids happy and engaged - once they get bored or stressed you've lost it. Then it's better to wait 15 minutes and try again.
Another trick is to let the kids use your camera - this often works with kids who don't enjoy being passive. Just let them be in control for a while and shoot some pics of people/objects, then suggest to swap roles and let them be the model. A common mistake is to treat kids like pets and force them to pose or 'smile' for the camera. Kids have a sense of privacy too, and they are justified for feeling imposed upon by parents and relatives who just shoot them without ever asking. It's smarter to get the kids interested in what you're doing, and make them feel comfortable with you and the camera.
In general, let the kids do their own thing - ask if they'd like to pose with a friend, a pet, or a prop (my son likes dressing up for photos, but doesn't otherwise enjoy me shooting him). Often they're happy just playing with something or letting you shoot while they paint or whatever.
Candid shots are a different kettle of fish of course, but then its often more like wildlife photography - keep a distance and wait for the moment. If you can, get them outside, because in northern countries, particularly in winter, most houses/apartments are just too dark to get decent results.
Anyway, just my few cents, and a way of avoiding any complex equations and stuff. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />