Family Photography Pictures
It has been said that photographers never actually see things happening, only the image reflected in their viewfinders. But if this is true it is more than compensated for by the fact that they are able to produce a lasting visual record, and not just acquire a transient memory. Although the most important element of these pictures will be the subject to its self, and the purpose at the time of making the exposure is not to produce a great masterpiece, the pleasure of looking at the picture in the future will undoubtedly be enhanced if it is also a good photograph.
The sort of occasions that become milestones during a lifetime are so varied that it is not possible to formulate any particular method of recording them. One week it may be a children’s party with a dozen excited seven year olds crowding around the birthday cake and the following week it may be your grandparents’ golden wedding anniversary, or maybe the school sports day.
It may well be that the complete family album will call on every photographic technique ask you ever learned to do it full justice, conveying everything from formal portraits to action pictures. While it may be out of place to use such events into photographic sessions it would at the same time be a great pity not to use your abilities to create the most evocative pictures you can. Think like this – if the birthday party would look even more festive when shot with a star filter, why not use one?
Many occasions can severely test your skills and your quick responses. The last thing you want is to spoil the atmosphere by issuing instructions, and very often the best shots will not be of the whole gathering, but segments of it. It can be of two people sharing a joke or watching someone else, a child suddenly overcome by tiredness or too much excitement. Therefore depending on the size of the room, something like a 70—150 mm zoom might give you an ideal of opportunities, in addition to a slightly w than normal lens for capturing the general scene.
Constant bursts of flash can be very distracting, so try to give same thought to lighting and film choice before the time. A moderately wide-angle lens, 35 mm or even 24mm, will have the advantage of giving a good depth of field even with a wide aperture, allowing you to include almost everyone in some shots at least.
Clearly on of the true benefits of being a photographer, whether professionally or as a hobby, is that it gives you the opportunity to make a record of the events and occasions in the life of your family, with the result of not only evoking pleasant and nostalgia memories for you in years to come, but also of providing a unique gift for future generations. It is really worth making every effort to produce at least one or two attractive pictures of every important occasion.
