QUICK QUESTIONS: September
Q1. How to do you deal with children that pull a face in the studio? I know it’s tougher than capturing moments out on location as it’s an enclosed space and quite unnatural, so any help would be much appreciated! – Rob, UK
A. You have answered your question yourself! It is much easier to photograph children outdoors – they are usually far happier and more interested!
However, in a studio, they may pull a face because they are shy, embarrassed, trying to get attention, or simply bored! If you keep the shoot changing constantly – different clothes, props, corners of the room, etc, and don’t let them get bored, you shouldn’t have a problem. Sometimes pulling a face looks really cute on a shot too! These tips will also work outdoors as they can still pull faces when not in a studio.
If you can’t get them to stop doing it, then the best thing would be to change what you are doing, and they will forget all about it – get them interested in something else – even if its going outside the studio to look at something – or help you with something – get them involved and they will become interested in you – ask them to help you sort your lights out – or teach them to put a reflector up and down – that usually makes them laugh and intrigues them.
Q2. Why do some of my photos look like there is a tiny white layer between the subject and camera? When I reduce the brightness this effect kind of disappears. I am wondering if it’s the lens, the settings, the light or post-processing? – Slavi Begov, Bulgaria
A. This sounds like flare on the lens to me – do you use a lens shade? Very useful to stop the sun glaring onto the lens – and to stop rain in bad weather! It also protects the lens if you knock it on something – much better to damage the shade than the actual lens. Some lenses come with them in the box, but if not, you should be able to get one on line – they are very cheap, and very essential.
