Photography for Scrapbooking
Expert Tips from Scrapbooker Heidi Swapp
Photos, they are the foundation of our scrapbook pages. They are the memories we capture every time we pick up our camera, and lets face it, isn’t that the reason we scrapbook…to preserve those memories? So basically photography and scrapbooking go hand in hand. That is the reason I feel that taking better photos is so important, because when you are excited about the quality of photos you have taken, you are more likely to scrapbook them on your pages.
Here are a few tips anyone can use to improve their photo taking skills:
Get Closer – I think this is the number one mistake people make when shooting pictures. Don’t be afraid to get close, and once you think you are close enough, get closer. Often times our subjects get lost in the picture when we stand so far away so get close and see what a difference it makes.
Consider your background – Is it a basket full of toys that is distracting when your baby is sitting in front of it? An easy solution is to put them in front of a neutral wall or doorway. This way your subject is the one that will get noticed, not what is cluttering your background.
Turn off the Flash – It is ruining some of your best photo opportunities. The flash on your camera makes your photos look harsh and cold. Instead, turn off your flash and try using natural light. Set your child in front of an open doorway or window and see what a difference you can get with natural light vs. flash.
Shoot more pictures – In this instance quantity is what you are going for. Let’s face it, the more pictures you shoot the better chance you have of getting that one perfect shot. If you only take two or three pictures you are far less likely to get it. In this digital age it is easy to do just that. Snap away as many times as you can and you will be surprised how much more relaxed you feel knowing you will have several opportunities to get a great shot instead of the pressure of getting that money shot in only one try.
Try unconventional photos – Yes the ones with the baby smack dab in the middle of the frame are cute, but try different compositions and smaller subjects. Try shooting baby parts, such as feet and hands. These make great keepsakes that will mean so much when they get older. They also make great photo collages.
Photoshop is your friend – There are several applications on the market today for editing photos but photoshop is one of the best. You can crop, resize, change to sepia or black and white with just a few clicks of a button. Don’t be afraid to try something different and new, you might just like the results.
Obviously not every picture is going to be perfect in every way, and they are not supposed to be. But, when you are trying to get a great picture from a planned photo shoot these six tips can help you create your own masterpiece.
Now all you have to do is get out there and shoot!
~ Heidi
Learn more about Heidi Swapp
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