Preserving Your Memories

I've written before about preserving your summer memories by creating a video of still photographs you took all summer--but after seeing so many parents on the bus stop this week with their video cameras, I realized I should add how to incorporate both video and still photography.

And in my research to provide the most useful information, I came across a vimeo post of Brandon Bloch that I found both informative and hilarious!  My friends at Animoto connected me to this...visit animotopro on Twitter and you, too, can learn some great tips!  Brandon Bloch posted his comparison of the Canon 7D (SLR camera AND video camera in one!) to the Barbie Video Girl camera.  It is worth the few minutes watch!!

As my friend Amanda pointed out...this Barbie Video Girl is actually a great idea!  The Canon is a heavy camera and doesn't fit into your purse as easily as a Barbie doll. And the Barbie can double as a great toy to distract young children--if you have girls.  As for me, I'm not quite sure my high school football player-son would appreciate my holding Barbie up to video his games--unless of course I can get her a cute cheerleading outfit!!

So in the end...I am still a Canon fan!  Envious of the great options on the new Canon 7D, I may just have to look at this camera more closely!  And as for recommending some tips on incorporating video and still photography...take the time to visit my friends at http://www.animoto.com/ to see how any momarazzi can create wonderful FREE 30 second video creations that incorporate both photographs and video.  For a very small fee, you can upgrade to what I call, Momarazzi status (not quite "pro), and create videos as long as your heart desires!!

It's Not Just About the Action

Capturing those special moments in your child's sporting events is not always about the action, although all of us enjoy a good action shot! Consider those moments when your little warrior is on the sidelines, in the dugout, or simply not in the action of the play--and what exactly is happening there?

The look on these faces tell me the many emotions they
are feeling as they begin this scrimmage game

As my son's first high school scrimmage game got underway, I was excited to once again be on the field looking for that magical tackle that makes all photos worthwhile.  After my son's defense went back to the sidelines, I caught a photo that I felt told a great story.  And while only the parents of these boys may appreciate the photo, we can also imagine exactly what may have been going through their minds!  Sharing moments in between plays is often full of emotion and can let the viewer know whether they feel good about what just happened or are looking for ways to improve. And sometimes...we just have to ask our player, "what were you laughing/talking/thinking about here?"

In the end, the best results may not always be that great tackle (although I LOVE capturing those, being the defensive momarazzi that I am!) but rather the photos you capture in between great plays that truly tell the story of how your athletic superstar is doing!

See you at the rinks and fields!!

Capturing the Moments of Summer

Before the kids head back to school, it is great to prepare them for the "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" conversation! If you've taken several photos throughout a summer vacation/staycation, why not select some of your favorites and put those photos into a video montage that tells your story a unique and creative way!  Today's video editing software makes this easy for any momarazzi!

I have several favorites I use.  For posting online, I like Animoto.  It offers opportunities to create free 30 second videos (about 10-15 photos) set to music, or for an inexpensive annual fee you can create videos as long as you'd like!  This software has several different "effect-options" to create the mood you'd like that tells your story best.

When telling your story through a photo-montage video, it can be easy to want to put all vacation photos together and share the entire event. Another option I like to do is to ask my boys what was their favorite part of the vacation, and then select those photos to highlight.  Below is an example of what we created that told the story of my oldest son's greatest experience a few years ago. 




What stories do YOU have to tell from your summer adventures??!!  Share them with us!
Until then...see you at the rinks & fields!

How Do I Deal with the Sunshine in my Photos??

I have learned quickly that the best lighting for outdoor photos is when the sun is directly above you or completely overcast.  Strange, I know...but consider this: you want to get your child's face to be well lit, yet having your child face the sun only provides you with a "squinty-faced" photo, eyes barely open in order to even look at you with the sun in his/her face.  Some have told me to place the subject your are photographing looking away from the sun, but unless you have proper equipment to reflect light on his/her face the end result is a shadow-faced photo.

Capturing a photo with your child's
face 3/4ths facing the sun allow
your child to still be "lit" but also
allow for less "squinty-eyes"

When the sun is shining brightly, consider having your child standing so the sun is to his/her side, as well as yours.  You will have shadow issues, but this can be minimized if your child is actually 3/4ths facing the sun, yet looking at you.  In addition, editing will quickly become your friend by adding subtle light to the photo.

I recently came across a great article about the various types of light that a photographer can consider-- and if you find yourself looking for good tips on how to overcome some amateur photographer challenges, then visit www.cheapshooter.com for some quick tips and inexpensive equipment ideas! 

First day of school bus stop photos...don't have your kids looking directly into the sun (I've done it and don't really want squinty-photos!).  Try for the sun on your side and your child's side.  And most important...think about what is happening on that very morning. What is the story...carrying all those school supplies in a backpack or plastic bag? The size and weight of that backpack on your little one? How your child compares in height with his/her friends at the bus stop? And even the silly conversations and smiles that the children give one another--taking a photo from a distance is fine with a zoom lens!  Sometimes those smiles or serious faces tell even more of the story than we realize!

See you at the fields & rinks!

Back to School Time!

The next few weeks something amazing is going to happen...our children will be heading to school! Some for the first time, others returning, and still others making a leap from middle school to junior high--junior high to high school--and even high school to college!  Milestones exist in every one of these situations...so don't miss the opportunity to capture them!

Capturing those moments that tell a story isn't difficult to do.  While posing your child/children in or out of the house for those "back to school" photos is great, consider some options that will do more than capture a smile...options that will help you remember what was happening on that particular day in your child/children's lives.

Posed photos capture growth!

The act of marking a line on the wall or door jam to indicate how tall a child has grown has gone out of style for many people--yet we are always amazed at how they have grown! Why not pick a particular area of your home (in or out) or a piece of furniture that you will pose your child at each year--and see the difference in height as the years go by! Whether it is standing next to the staircase--noticing how tall he/she appears next to any number of stairs or whether they can comfortably place their elbow on the banister.  We usually use our piano. It is a piece of furniture that we expect to be with us for years--and seeing the progression to where my sons' elbows hit the top of the piano each year definitely shows their growth! Another idea is to take a photo next to a paneled door--we have six-panel doors in our house and have also noticed how each year, they have changed the location of where their heads meet up with various panels.

Catching your child when he least
expects it tells a story of friendships
regardless of the pure quality of the
photo!

Another back to school tip is to catch the unscripted.  It is great to get the children to pose, but let's face it... they are as excited (and nervous) as we are on that day and the last thing many children want to do is pose for the camera. AND...once your child reaches junior high/high school...well, just try to get them to pose, period!  Consider catching them in action on that first day...standing on the bus stop talking with their friends when they don't even realize you are snapping photos; eating their morning breakfast (notice how the choice in breakfast items changes through the years); even the simple act of brushing their teeth or getting ready in the morning can capture a moment that tells a story!  

The fact remains...a picture is worth a thousand words.  Make sure your photos are worth more than one word..."posed."  Doing this will ensure that as you look back on your photos years from now, you will smile remembering the story behind each one of them!

See you at the rink & fields!

As they get older, it is much more difficult to get that "posed" shot
for your first day of school...I had to sneak this photo from my
living room window to catch the action! Thank goodness for zoom lenses!

Are you a momarazzi in training?

It's in all of us...the desire to capture our children doing what they love to do! If you share this desire to capture moments in time with your digital camera, you are a momarazzi.  If you're a dad, we'd like to call you a dadarazzi, since the obvious could have a negative connotation!

Last year a fellow momarazzi and I were asked about what it takes to become a momarazzi...some of our suggestions are included below:

First, the right camera can do amazing things...but only if you know how to use it!  Take advantage of digital camera lessons whenever you have the opportunity to. This momarazzi learned from other photographers, as well as good 'ole "trial and error."  For a typical football game, I can take upwards of 800 photographs (thank goodness for a memory card!!).  In the end, after reviewing all the photos, I am lucky to end up with about 250-300 usable photos.  I don't always have my settings right and often need to play a bit to ensure the lighting works for the different angles I may shoot from.

Second, the right editing tools will make you look FABULOUS!  There are so many fantastic editing tools out there that you can pay for--Adobe Photoshop is by far my favorite. However, there are also *free* tools out there that you may actually already have on your computer!  Microsoft Office Picture Manager (part of the Microsoft Office Tools group) is a great place to start if you've got the Office software on your computer.  If not, my favorite choice is Picasa, a Google product that is downloadable for free.  Picasa has wonderful editing tools and also allows you to create online photo albums, share photos and albums via email, and create simple movies of your photos with your favorite music added!  Don't assume a poorly lit photograph has to end up in the "deleted photos" list.  Editing truly will be your best friend in photography!

Third, for any sports photographer a monopod is a must! Portrait photographers use a tripod...action photography demands a monopod! They are very inexpensive and will add so much to creating a crisp photo, free from your shaking arms!  The stability of the monopod has improved my action photos ten-fold!

Finally...just get in there and try it! Different sports require different levels of light and position.  When my boys were very young, I liked to sit on the ground and capture photos from a low point of view. Now that they are older, standing along the sidelines or field fences works best--as does my zoom lens!

It's in all of us...the ability to become a momarazzi. And the biggest reason you'll find success? You know your young athlete's personality...you know what to look for and what to capture! Take a chance and try all sorts of ideas, positions, and options!  You'll be surprised at how well you can do!

See you at the rink & fields!