How To Take And Display Family Photos

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

How To Take And Display Family Photos (NAPSA)—Do you ever wonder how photographers capture such priceless moments? In today’s world of digital photography, it’s not as hard as you may think. According to Jay Forman, a professional photographer and author of “Capture Your Kids In Pictures,” taking great family photos doesn’t require expensive gear or technical prowess, just the application of simple principles and common sense. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you'll find yourself eager to display every photo because the best part about taking pictures is sharing them with friends and family. Here are some simple tips from Jay Forman on how to take great family photos and display them in a unique and creative way: * Get closer. Too often, we take pictures that include our subject but many other nonessential elements. Getting closer not only helps get rid of extraneous items, but produces a more intimate image. * Don’t say “Cheese.” Saying “cheese” puts the mouth in an unnatural position and makes a smile look forced. Consider telling a joke for a more natural smile or try to capture the expression of the moment. Keep shooting. Typically, people only take one or two shots of a person or situation, which reduces your chances for a great photograph. By shooting four or five photographs, your chances diminish for someone’s eyes being closed or not looking. And with a digital camera, there is no harm in taking extra shots because you can simply delete the bad ones. * Utilize sunlight. Sunlight in the morning or the late afternoon is the softest and most pleasing light, which is ideal for taking pictures. Try to avoid shooting during the midday hours when light tends to create shadows and squinting. Select some candid shots to display. Oftentimes, we are inclined to pick a posed portrait, but candid shots tend to say much more about someone’s personality. Change the photos you have on display regularly. One easy way to do this is by printing your digital images on Post-it Picture Paper. Thanks to the super sticky adhesive found on the back, you can stick and restick your photos practically anywhere without damaging the photo or the surface. Create a collage or grouping of similar photos. Sometimes one photo cannot accurately tell the whole story. By grouping photographs, you can haveall aspects of an event on display at once. * Be creative with where you display your photographs. Try placing photos in more unusual places that could use some dressing up, such as the bathroom or above the kitchen sink.