HAPPY PURIM!!!

If I were to ask you, which day from the entire calendar year, do people take the most pictures ever, I am sure everyone would respond with a unanimous “Purim!”.

Every year, on Purim, everyone takes out their cameras (or cellphones), and takes hundreds of pictures throughout the day. Photos are taken and excitedly shared with friends, and family. Families that are not together with their loved ones, eagerly await the Purim pictures, to see how their children, grandchildren, and friends are dressed up.

Never, in one 24-hour period, are so many pictures taken and shared.

So, the question is...how can you improve all the pictures you will be taking this Purim?

I put together a list of different tips and tricks that can help you with your picture taking this Purim, and elevate them to the point that your friends and family will think you’ve taken an amazing photography course this year 😊, and have become a professional photographer.

Read on!

TIPS FOR TAKING GREAT PICTURES ON PURIM

COMPOSITION AND POSING TECHNIQUES:

· Hold your camera as steady as possible to avoid camera shake and blur. Hold your camera with two hands, with your elbows to your side (as opposed to outstretched).

· Try and get as natural an expression as possible. Tell a funny joke, make funny faces, bribe them with some candy, turn on some music and dance with your subject, act silly with them, tickle them, etc. Do whatever it takes to get that awesome expression out of your subject!

· Work your subject. Don’t walk away after one shot. Take vertical and horizontal pictures. Take closeup, and full length. Don’t stop at one picture- take a variety of shots.

· Watch your subjects body language. Position your subject’s hands in a way that will create a warmer, more intimate shot. For example, if you have more than one person in your picture, have them put their arms around each other, and tell them to put their heads close to one another.

· Have your subject look straight at the camera. Direct eye contact makes for a powerful picture.

· Fill the frame with your subject, and get in close for a tight, intimate shot.

· Try and make sure the background is not cluttered, as that can be distracting and take away attention from your subject. Look for a simple background, or a background that enhances your subject.

· Bear in mind the “Rule of Thirds”. Very often, an off centered picture can lead to a more dynamic and interesting photo.

· For a more flattering angle, have your subject turn her/his shoulder to the camera. In addition, put some space between their arms and body. For example, have them put their hands on their hips, as opposed to straight down their sides.

LIGHT:

Position your subject with the light behind them, or to the side of them. Backlight and sidelight create a beautiful, more textured light, whereas front light is boring, as well as causing your subject to squint. Front light also creates unflattering shadows on ones face.

TECHNICAL TIPS:

White Balance:

Set your white balance (Look for “WB”, or “AWB”) to:

Indoor pictures: AWB (Auto White Balance)

Outdoor pictures: Cloudy

Mode Dial:

If you want to be in an automatic mode, turn your mode dial to “P” (Program mode). It is a better automatic mode, and give you more control than the green automatic mode.

Flash:

Use flash outdoors, to minimize dark shadows coming from the bright sun.

Use Flash Exposure Compensation (look for FEC) for a more natural looking flash picture. Dial the flash down a touch by moving the indicator a little to the left of the “0”. You will get a more natural looking flash picture, than if you were using the full power of the flash.

Exposure Compensation:

If your pictures are coming out too dark, dial it to the right to add light. If your pictures are coming out too bright, dial it to the left to take away light.

ISO:

For outdoor pictures on a sunny day, use an ISO of 100-200.

On a cloudy day, use an ISO of 400.

For indoor pictures, depending on how dim the lighting is, use approximately an ISO of 400.

I hope this help you to create many special memories this Purim!

Most important of all - have tons of fun and quality time with your friends and family!!!

I’d love to see some of your favorite Purim pictures!

Devorie

pixbydevorie@gmail.com