Within the Frame (Victoria Bampton's Library) by David duChemin

Author:David duChemin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Riders
Published: 2009-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

• Canon 5D, 24mm, 1/60 @ f/4, ISO 400

Bhaktapur, Nepal. I love using a wide-angle lens with children. It forces me to get in close and kids seem to like that kind of playfulness, which encourages them to be more playful themselves. A wide angle this close emphasizes the eyes and makes their faces playfully disproportionate to the rest of their bodies.

Keep it playful. Let them see the image on the back of the camera. Playing hide-and-seek behind the camera works well. Don’t be afraid to make faces, shake your hips, and make funny noises if that’s what it takes to endear them to you. Shooting in continuous or burst mode will allow you to capture the pose, as well as the moment they relax and react. It is that post-snap reaction that most often reveals the true character of a child in that moment. Let kids be kids. Think of the photograph as a collaboration between you and the child: you bring the expertise and the camera, and they bring the fun, the unexpected, and the spontaneity.

Don’t be afraid to use a wide-angle lens for portraits of kids. Get close and wide and capture their face with something in the background that reveals a part of their world. Or capture a piece of a spinning top or doll in the child’s hand. Those details need not be in focus; don’t be afraid to shoot wide open at f/1.8 or f/2—or as wide as you can go. The smaller the number, the less that’s in focus, which creates a nice soft look that is consistent with the mood and feelings we generally associate with childhood.

Be creative about your angle. Shooting from above while they look up creates an implied relationship of trust or smallness. Shooting from ground level while they are on the ground gives you an insight into how they see the world, or are seen by other children.

If you’re using flash, take the time to learn to use it well. Flash can be useful in freezing the movements of energetic children but can be harsh and ruin what would otherwise be a great shot. Children learn to anticipate a flash, and their face shows that anticipation, removing the spontaneous look. If you must use it, soften it up with a diffuser.

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