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Holiday photos
Tips for taking better holiday photos
Get ready for the next holiday event. Brush up on these digital camera tips to photograph the fun and festivities.
Be prepared
Make sure you have at least one set of fully charged camera batteries and a large enough memory card. Set the camera to the highest quality and image resolution. Adjust camera settings such as white balance, take some test shots, then let the photo-taking begin!
Taking holiday photos
Get close to your subject - Zoom or move in close to fill the viewfinder/ LCD with your subject.
Posed shots - Don't be bashful. Direct where people stand and sit. Ask them to move together as close as possible for group photos.
Candid shots - Take natural-looking, non-posed images by photographing people when they are unaware. Try to "anticipate a moment." If your digital camera responds slowly, pre-focus to help reduce shutter lag.
Get on the eye level of your subject - When photographing a child, get near or on the floor. It's better to shooting to from the position than from above a subject. When taking a family photo at the table, shoot at the eye level of those seated.
Take more than one picture - Increase chances of capturing a great photo by taking several shots of the same scene or subject. Otherwise, Uncle George may not be thrilled if you photograph him with his eyes closed.
Check the background - Get in the habit of checking how a scene looks in the viewfinder or LCD. Is the background too busy? Is a chandelier or tree coming out the top of someone's head? If so, take a photo from another angle or ask subject to move to a different location.
Capture the glow of candles and lights - Turn off the flash. Steady yourself to minimize camera shake. Or place the camera on a tripod or table top and use the self-timer.
Get in some the photos - Use the self timer, but figure out where you will stand in a group photo before starting timer. If you ask someone else to take a photo, make sure they know how to use the two-step shutter button correctly.
