Using Props

Props can make or break even the best photograph. When planning to take photographs, you should think about if you are going to use props during the session, and if so, you want to think about what props would be appropriate for the photographs you are planning to take. You can essentially use any props you want, as long as they fit the purpose of the shoot. You can use things like blankets, baskets, picture frames, etc. In the photographs below I used cameras, a blanket, sunglasses, a dog toy, a basket, plastic Easter eggs, a pot of flowers, presents, and a pumpkin. 

 

 

Here are my top 3 tips when it comes to using props- 

1) Props work well with mainly portraits, however, you can use them for certain landscapes as well - like with the last photograph I posted.

2) Use props when you are trying to take portraits of your pets. This will help to hold their attention and allow you to get some candid shots of them. 

3) Lastly, match your props to the theme of your photography session. If you are doing a holiday shoot - use props that match that holiday - like pumpkins, Easter eggs, and presents. If you are doing something like a senior session, have the subject pick some of their favorite activities to use props for - like sports or clubs they participate in. 

Candid Photography

Candid photography is a type where the photographer aims to capture a photograph of what would normally be an uncatchable moment. Candid photographs aren't "overly posed" and they tend to capture the subject in moments of pure thought, laughter, surprise, heartbreak, anger, etc. I personally like candid photography because it allows you to capture people in a different light.

Here are my top 3 tips when it comes to capturing a candid photograph- 

1) Continue to shoot photographs even when the subject isn't looking, this will ensure that you get a few candid shots among all the other posed shots. 

2) Make your subject laugh and give a real smile by telling jokes and shooting at the same time.

3) Take photographs while your subject is distracted - for example, the flower photographs above. This will ensure that you have some extra interesting non posed photographs.

Abstract Photography

Abstract is a type of photography that allows the photographer to capture creative images. The images could produce optical illusions, or they could simply be images of normal things captured in a not so normal manner. I personally like abstract photography because it allows me to let my imagination shine through, and it allows me to look at things in a new light.

Here are my top 3 tips when it comes to taking abstract photographs- 

1) Get creative! If you haven't before, I would really recommend taking some abstract photographs and getting really creative with it.

2) Take a page out of the Macro Photography post from last week, and get up close to your subjects. This makes it so that you are seeing them in a new way.

3) This is one of the few types of photography that I would recommend you stay away from the black and white filter with. It's abstract, so you want colors to shine through!

Macro Photography

Macro photography is when you take an up close photograph of your subject. Macro can be used to show more details of a certain subject by getting up close and personal with it. This is an interesting type of photography, because it allows you to get a different look at certain subjects. Taking Macro shots was new for me, as I had never experimented with it before. When it came to taking Macros, I experimented over the period of a week to find and take different shots of the subjects that I chose to focus on. 

Here are my top 3 tips when it comes to Macro Photography-

1) Use a camera with a good zoom - as this ensures that you will be able to get up close with the subject, and have it still remain in focus.

2) Try to find subjects that will show a lot of detail when you get up close, like the caterpillars above, however, it is okay if the subjects are quite simple as well. 

3) Be creative! Make a photograph out of a few different pieces, like I did with the bottle caps and the doily.