Lighting

Watchout for natural lighting always.Though it creates darkness to one side of the subject manier times it still looks perfect when compared to artificial lighting.


1.For outdoor pictures always open shade is always preferred to avoid shadows in the face.
2.When considering open shade dont stand below a tree which makes spotted lights on your face which spoils the picture.
3.If you are taking pictures indoor move the blinds to one side and do not have it half opened as it may cause lines of light on the subject's face.
4.You can even use an umbrella for perfect spreading of light.
5.The best time to take pictures outdoor is when the sky is filled with clouds as the light gets evenly spread.
6.Its absolutely perfect to use flash outdoor on a overcast day to avoid shadows.
7.Dont make the subject stand opposite to sun as this will lead to squinting of eyes.

Even a candle light can works best to take pictures in a 
different perspective.

Was clicked during the first photoshoot to prevent harsh sunlight and as a baby prop.

This was a candle holder and was taken in complete darkness.

My bangles glittering in candle light

These where artificial flowers with a yellow light bulb focussing right beneath it.

Superior or majestic subject

If you wanna show something which is very big and majestic(situations where comparison is needed) try taking pictures from the ground and the subject in a slightly elevated place which gives a superior look for the subject.Dont use this concept unless its necessary otherwise it will make the subject look big and demanding.

Candid Shots

Candid shots are those which are taken informally without the subject's knowledge.
                                                                                                                                  My vote has always been there for candid shots(while capturing known people as I dont wish to capture unknown person's space).If you go with me them dont always expect the person whom you wish to click to see the camera,give a pose or a artificial smile.Click the way they are and I am sure they will enjoy seeing their pictures and you will be appreciated for few of them intially and more pictures later.

Repetition,Shadows

Always look out for repetitions,shadows and things in a sequence either naturally or artificially which adds beauty to the picture.

Shadows of peacock feather in evening sunshine shot in my friends home at tea time

Sequence of puppets

Watchout for the shadows of our engagement rings

Sequence of things deep into the frame

If you cannot frame the picture exactly you can very well crop the picture using photo editing softwares.

Aperture Priority Mode

You would have seen this mode in SLR and prosumer kind of cameras.Since I dont like to explain things in a technical manner I will put things in a layman language.


*Remember a donut when the aperture is more (i.e) Only small amount of light passes through the lens to capture the scene so only few objects are seen clearly. Eg:-F/20
*Remember a onion ring when the aperture is less (i.e) More amount of light passes through the lens to capture the scene so all the objects are seen clear.Eg:- F/4.Since more light passes through the lens it works good even in low light conditions.

Clicked with ISO 100 and Aperture 6.0

Lotus Temple,Delhi with Aperture F/10

Bud yet to bloom taken in Qutub Minar,Delhi,India with Aperture F/11(Post-Processed)

*In the Aperture priority mode its enough if we set the aperture in f-stops and the camera sets the shutter speed by itself.

Flash

For a long time I didnt know how to reduce the harsh flash light and the overcast shadow behind the subject but recently reading few articles found some tricks to overcome it.Flash will work its best outdoor only when the subject is nearer to the camera.

Harsh Flash Light:

Many SLR and prosumer cameras have a facility to adjust the flash light.

Generally the default settings would be "0" but if you feel the flash light is more you can reduce it to negative values like (-1,-2 etc..).

You can also close the flash light with a soft white paper napkin so the harsh light gets reduced.(This is just optional).

Reduced flash to negative values and did selective coloring to reduce harsh flashlight.

Overcast Shadow:

It is always better to use flash as the second source of light.

If the light is still less dont focus the flash directly on the subject but somewhere else like the object beside or the ceiling so you can avoid the shadow.

You can also use a white card just below the flash light directing the light elsewhere other than the object.

Maternity Tips & Poses

I tried few maternity pictures with my friends and out of my experience and from the maternity pictures i have seen online I have few tips and poses to mention you all.


TIPS FOR MATERNITY WARDROBE:


1.Maternity pictures looks pretty when they wear a maternity wear.
2.Cluttered designs doesnt work for these kind of pictures as they reduce the tummy being shown.
3.Its always good to wear solid color dark coloured dresses as the bright colours like yellow,pink,orange distract without showing the proper shape.However bold black and white coloured stripes works well too.
4.The classic pose for maternity picture is wearing her husband's shirt.Mom-to-be can wear a contrasting color t-shirt or a tank and wear a coloured husband's shirt on top of it and facing sideways which differentiates her body with the tummy.


TIPS FOR MATERNITY POSES:


1.Maternity pictures can be taken with a dull light near the entrance door or patio showing the mom-to-be is awaiting the baby.
2.Make the mom-to-be to hold the tummy from backwards and look at the tummy so it creates a peaceful mood for the picture.
3.Turning sideways is always better as it shows the tummy better.The straight pose doesn't show much difference in the size of the tummy nor the body structure.
4.Try to take a silhouette of the mom-to-be whose body is entirely turning sideways and looking the sky since it creates a mood for the picture that she is in a dream world of her baby.
4.While taking silhouette try doing few editing such that the background has either blue or pink accordingly.
5.Make them wear the same dress every month of pregnancy and make a collage out of it.
6.Make the mom-to be to stand on the floor and take pictures from a height which covers her full body which makes the picture look good.
7.Make the mom-to-be (If possible the dad to be) to keep their fingers like a heart shape in her tummy.You can see several such pictures in Flickr.
9.When you know what baby it is and the due date too tie either a blue or a pink bow around the tummy
 and have labels "Do not open till Jan 2011","Safe inside till Jan 2011".
10.If the mom-to-be already has a kid then make the kid to hold her tummy or kiss her tummy or keep the kid's ear near her tummy which shows the love of the first kid for his/her brother/sister.
11.Properties like pilates ball can also be kept near the tummy  and taken pictures as it acts as a comparison.


**For privacy reasons I am not uploading many maternity pictures.