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scrapbook & cards today
•
winter 2012
not be hindered by the harshness and shadows that overhead
sunshine can create. If you can’t get out of the sun, reposition
your subjects so that their faces aren’t shadowed. If you are
shooting in manual mode, meter off your subjects’ skin.
question no. 3
Every year, I get asked to take family photos for holiday cards.
Although I love to, it is tough to capture a candid group shot.
Any tips? ~ Brenda in Manitoba
Give yourself and the
group time to
unwind—no one
wants to feel
pressured in this
situation. Start a
conversation with
them, get them
talking to one
another, and keep
them moving. The
very act of being in
motion relaxes people.
question no. 4
How do I capture the blurry effect of the lights in the
background and still have an in-focus, well-lit subject when
shooting indoors? ~ Renee in Ohio
For a well-lit shot, make sure there is still some natural light in
the room. Turn on the tree lights and place your subject a few
feet in front of it. Focus on your subject and the background will
naturally blur. If you’re trying to shoot young children who
simply cannot stay still at the mere mention of Christmas, use a
faster shutter speed and adjust your ISO accordingly.
the 3 t’s
a question about lenses
I’ve recently purchased a new digital camera and it
came with a second 75/300 lens. So far, I’ve been
shooting my photos with the lens that came with the
body, but would like to experiment with other ones.
Could you please tell me, in terms that I can un-
derstand, what the difference is between the many
lenses that are available today? ~ Rachel in Ontario
Zoom lenses are just that—they zoom in and out.
Prime lenses have no zoom. Instead, the photogra-
pher is the zoom. The higher the number of the lens
(for example, 300), the further the distance you
can shoot from. A 75-300mm zoom lens is great for
shooting outdoors, for instance at sporting events.
Chances are that the kit lens that came with your
camera is a good, all-purpose lens.
If you are con-
cerned about
shooting in low
light conditions,
you need to be
looking at the
depth of field
or aperture that
the lens allows.
A small number
(f/1.2 or 1.8) will
let more light in
and allow you
to shoot in lower light.
There is no one perfect lens, but there is a perfect
lens for every situation. Many camera stores rent
lenses, which is a fantastic way to try before you buy!
Editor’s note: Kathy, thank you so much for all of your informa-
tive, educational photography articles. We’ll miss you!