Toys make the perfect subjects
Today I went with Aidan to his favorite joint: Playmobil Fun. That place is toy’s heaven! I took the time to bring my camera and make the toys my subject of the day. They don’t move, they have amazing colors, they are the best subject! Well, almost. As I started taking pictures I had my own rule: I would leave all toys as they were left in the tables, I would not stage them. I also wanted to get some pictures for the Active Assignment group in Flickr.
I do not have macro lenses and I did not use a tripod. I am learning to love my 55-250 IS lens so I had to crank up the ISO and shoot wide. Trusted the IS… lots of blurry pictures! LOL
I still managed to get some decent shots. My new camera is amazing at getting the right exposure.
Tip: remember to set the white balance to the right light; in this case I used fluorescent setting.
Latte Fun
It is not a secret that when it comes to photography, kids are my favorite subject. A year ago I decided to spend some money on a DSLR camera instead of paying for cheesy portraits. Of course, my son Aidan is my favorite subject! He is very expressive and always gives me an opportunity for a great picture. Today we went to Latte Fun in Palm Beach. I love that place! It was hard for me to stay away from other people kids and not taking their pictures!
When it comes to portraits I like candid shots, kids engaging in activities instead of posing for the camera. Playgrounds are the best places to take kids pictures: Great props, consistent light (if indoors) and plenty color for your composition. Also in playgrounds kids are very happy and happy kids = great shots!
Lately I’ve been using my Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS for portraits a lot. It is not an expensive lens, I can stay way back and let my subjects do their thing and the image stabilization lets me hand hold the camera. Yes, I have to pump the ISO in low light but I have to compromise until I can afford the prime. Digital ISO is way better than film’s so don’t be shy to push 800+. Another lens I love for portraits is the famous “nifty fifty” Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. For the price you cannot get a better portrait lens.
Couple of tips: Dress your kid in solid color clothes and get close, close, close…
Bye bye Elan (aka) There is always a new begining…
Tuesday I said goodbye to my old faithful film camera…
Bye bye Elan IIe…
It was a simple goodbye. I packed it on a small box and UPS her to Canon’s camera heaven.
For many years I hanged on to that camera like my photographic soul depended on it. It was my 30th birthday gift and I still remember my expression (because someone took a picture of the exact moment). It was my first SLR camera.
But I will not romanticize those old times. Yes I still remember the red light bulb in my dad’s darkroom, the texture of the photo paper in my fingers. His old Canon Ae-1, I wished I had.
But in reality what I remember the most is spending a fortune on film and development, traveling with film canisters everywhere. And after waiting for days to have pictures printed the revelation that most pictures were a waste. Film is not a friendly medium for amateurs and beginners. And the pictures I liked? Well, I couldn’t possibly remember the camera setting to replicate the lucky shot.
Digital photography liberated us, amateur photographers wana be….
Nothing better than the little trash can icon on the camera reminding us that it is ok to get it wrong. When you see 500+ shots in the folder, you know that some shots will turn ok…. Oh, and the metadata on the pictures! Little gnomes that grab all that info we don’t have time to write distance, lenses, aperture…
Digital photography rocks!
My Life on a Frame 
