Common Loons

Wild Bergamot

Mule Deer

Mule Deer near Kimberley, British Columbia.

Double Rainbow Over Summit Lake

Photographing Children – Part 2: Enhancing and Sharing Your Photographs

A photography post from my family adventure blog.

The Big Picture

After you’ve captured your memories (see Photographing Children – Part 1: Capturing Memories) and imported them into your computer, it’s time to choose which ones to process and share. Be judicious – choose those that are in focus and tell a story. If you have several of the same scene pick your favourite, the one that makes you melt. The exposure doesn’t need to be perfect but should be close. If the action warrants it, a little blur can be acceptable but the eyes should be sharp and clear. The next step is to process and enhance your photos.

1. Cropping – This is one of the most important steps in enhancing your image. What you include and exclude from your photograph can dramatically change the story. Take this image of my son with my husband taken this past weekend on our ferry crossing of Arrow Lake. One photograph, two different stories.

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Photographing Children – Part 1: Capturing Memories

This is reposted from my family blog The Big Picture

People are always asking me how I get such great photos of my son and so in the spirit of the Top 25 Photographer Moms contest, I’ve dug through my idea file to share some of my tips in this two part series. Part 1 will focus on capturing the image while part 2 will have tips on enhancing and sharing your photographs.

1. Take lots of photos. Take your camera with you on your adventures big and small. It doesn’t have to be an expensive DSLR, it can be a small point and shoot or in a pinch your phone will do. It’s important to know your camera inside and out so that you’re focused on taking photos not on using your camera.
2. Make sure the eyes are in focus. If you can selective focus with your camera, focus on the eyes. They are the window to the soul and a key to getting a good photo. 
3. As in the photograph above, don’t worry about getting them to smile. Getting them to say “cheese” often ruins the moment. Capture them as they are.
4. Tell a story with your photograph. Capture your child within the scene – you don’t even need to see their face.
5. Use your telephoto lens or zoom function and take your photo without your child’s knowledge.
6. Capture special memories such as this Father’s Day paddle.
   
7. Enjoy. Don’t stress about getting the perfect photograph. You want to capture memories and you want them to be happy. Capture the scene then put the camera down and become part of the adventure. You can always pick it back up if the opportunity arises.

Watch for Part 2: Enhancing and Sharing Your Photographs early next week.

If you’re inspired, I’d love your support to be a Circle of Moms Top 25 Photographer Mom! Your vote would be greatly appreciated (you can cast your vote once each day). Finishing in the Top 25 would allow me to inspire even more families.

Birdhouse

I love this birdhouse that sits on the border fence at Big Hill Springs PP, Alberta.

Versatility

A couple of days ago, I was surprise to find the following comment on my Inspiration post from Inge at Ingset’s Blog:

…And now I’ve nominated you for Versatile Blogger Award. In my humble opinion your blog has given me lots of inspiration and has shared great experiences of life. I hope you would like to accept this award and pass it to other bloggers.

Wow! What a week. Thank you very much Inge for the honour.

In addition to being honoured to receive the Versatile Blogger Award, in light of having just nominated a number of photography blogs for the Inspiring Blog Award, I was also worried that if I could find another 15 photography blogs that inspire me without repeating myself. I was surprised how easy it was – all I had to do was look in my inbox at the blogs I follow (my favourites are listed under Favourite Sites on the sidebar).  However, after a little thought, I decided to go in a different direction for my nominations. I decided to nominate the most versatile bloggers I know – The Family Adventure Blogger. As such they cover everything from hiking to camping gear to child behaviour and their blogs inspire me everyday.

My nominees for the Versatile Blogger Award, thank you all for inspiring me:

1. A Little Campy
2. Active Kids Club
3. Adventure Parents
4. Adventure Tykes
5. Babes in the Woods
6. Backcountry Parenting
7. Backcountry with the Kids
8. Brave Ski Mom
9. Bring the Kids
10. Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
11. Family Wilds
12. Go Explore Nature
13. Nature for Kids
14. Outside Mom
15. Tales of a Mountain Mama

Seven things about myself

1. In addition to my photography blog, I also write “The Big Picture” where I do my best to inspire families to find happiness outside.
2. I go a little bit nuts if I can’t get outside everyday.
3. My camera goes everywhere – and if I don’t bring it I regret it.
4. I love books of all types.
5. I hate when people overcomplicate situations.
6. I hate it even more when I overcomplicate situations.
7. I love getting out with small groups of people but large groups overstimulate me.

For the bloggers I’ve nominated, the VBA rules are as follows:

1. You must give credit to the person that has nominated you and create a link to their blog in your post.

2. You must create a list of 15 blogs that you enjoy most and link to those as well. Then you must go and tell them you have nominated them. That means if you do not have 15, you cannot do this step. If you do not complete this step, then you cannot claim this award.

3. Finally, you must create a list of seven things about yourself.

Cheeky Chipmunk

This little guy decided that he wanted to have a drink of water at our campsite last weekend at Sibbald Lake, Kananaskis, Alberta.

Inspiration

Inspiration – it’s all around us. One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability for everyday people to share their ideas, news and art to inspire others. Everyday, there’s something that I find that inspires me to be a better person, better mother, better wife or a better photographer. As an artist, I love sharing my work with others through my website and this blog and hope that others in turn can find inspiration.

A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have received a nomination for “Inspiring Blog Award” from Melody over at Meanwhile, Melody Muses…. Sadly, I have to apologize as I had missed the message until I was reviewing comments yesterday. I want to thank Melody for the honour.

 

Seven things about me:

1. My family and friends are my greatest inspiration.
2. I need to get outside everyday – rain, shine, sleet or snow.
3. With a few exceptions, I hate shopping.
4. That said… book stores, outdoor stores and camera stores are my weakness.
5. If there’s an abundance of food being made for no apparent reason, I’m probably angry or frustrated.
6. Music is continuously playing in our home.
7. Stupid people piss me off.

Blogs I nominate (I’ve chosen blogs that inspire as a photographer rather than as a parent – which would be a completely different list)

1. Alan Leatherbarrow Photography
2. Almost a Photographer
3. Dave Pattinson
4. Hike. Blog. Love.
5. Ian Spagnolo Photography
6. jmeyersforeman photography
7. Jordan Cantelo Photography
8. Oopoomoo
9. Paul Zizka
10. PhotoBotos
11. Photo Nature Blog
12. SKEdazzles
13. Tau Zero
14. Tea Time with Trish
15. Tracie Louise Photography

I enjoy and find inspiration from your blogs on a continuous basis… thank you.