Say Cheese: How to Take Better Photos of Kids

Tired of getting images that are blurry, or shots that always end up “nakapikit” when you gun for “candid?” Let this comprehensive guide show you how to make the most of your digital camera so you can take kiddie photos like a pro.

Know your camera
First off, read your camera’s manual. Investing time to read it thoroughly and learning how to access the different manual settings help enormously in producing better pictures. Keeping your camera on automatic mode will do for a lot of situations; however, manual mode provides more control and flexibility. Here are some basic lighting controls and concepts common to most cameras.

Exposure
Simply put, exposure is the amount of light the camera sensor captures. This is the part of the camera responsible for converting light into a digital image. In your camera function menu, exposure is often represented by an “0+/-” icon. A value higher than 0 (e.g. +¹⁄3, +1, etc.) lets more light in, while a value less than 0 (e.g. -¹⁄3, -1, etc.) lets less light in. After taking a test shot, adjust your Exposure Value (EV) to +1 if the result is too dark, or to -1 if the result is too bright.

ISO
The lower your ISO settings (e.g. ISO 100), the less sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light; the higher the ISO value (e.g. ISO 800), the more sensitive it is. Use a higher ISO value in low-light situations and a lower ISO for bright or sunny environments. In your camera’s functions menu, simply look for the option “ISO,” and adjust the value from 80 to 400 (or higher, depending on your camera model).

NOTE: One of the drawbacks of using a high ISO, however, is that tiny random colored pixels, a.k.a. “noise,” is introduced into the image, making the image look speckled or “dusty.”

Aperture and Shutter Speed
Think of your camera as a dark, enclosed room, with light emanating from a door the only source of light. The size of that door is your aperture, and how long it is open, is your shutter speed.

Aperture size is specified by f-number. A lower f-number (e.g. f/2.8) indicates a bigger opening, while a bigger f-number (f/8) indicates a smaller opening. Use the smallest possible aperture (i.e. the highest f-number) to create sharper images.

Shutter speed is how long your sensor is exposed to light and is measured in seconds. A shutter speed of ¹⁄5th lets in more light than ¹⁄500th of a second. Typically, a camera will use a fast shutter speed (¹⁄250th of a second) for bright environments and ¹⁄15th for dimly-lit scenes or at nighttime. Slow shutter speeds create blur that give the illusion of speed or movement, while fast shutter speeds freeze action. You can adjust your shutter speed in your camera’s Shutter Priority Mode.

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Now try your hand at “pro” picture-taking:

1. Take a shot of your sleeping angel.
Slow shutter speeds are best used when the subject is still or during low light situations. Take a photo of your baby sleeping in the crib with only the night light on for dramatic effect. To do this, use a slow shutter speed and place the camera on a stable position. Tripods are useful for this, but in lieu of one, you can use a high stool or any stable platform. Remember, because of the long shutter speed, you cannot guarantee to take sharp pictures if you shoot it hand-held.

2. Capture the details of a scenic view during a family vacation.
Use a small aperture combined with a slightly slow shutter speed of around ¹⁄20. This will ensure that the smallest details in the background, like clouds and mountains are sharp.

3. Document your baby's first steps.
This is one of the trickiest images to take because your child will be moving unpredictably. Use
a high shutter speed to freeze the action and get sharp images. Shoot near a window with bright light streaming so that you have enough light to accommodate the fast shutter speed.

4. Take crisp birthday shots.
When shooting indoors under poor lighting, your camera will switch to slow shutter speeds, resulting in blurry shots if taken hand-held. Counter this by placing your camera on a stable surface like a table or a stool (or a stool on a table, to get the desired height). Don’t forget to use your camera’s timer when shooting this way. Freeze the moment when your tot blows his birthday candles on his cake. Place the camera on a stable surface in front of the cake. Get as close as you can to the candles,close enough to feel their warmth and light on your face. Use a slow shutter speed and wide aperture to soak up the candle light.

5. Use your walls (preferably white), ceilings, and floors as "reflectors."
Water might be your child’s element. To capture the water droplets playfully splashing in the tub and your child’s fleeting facial expressions while getting a bath, use a high shutter speed and your flash. White bathroom tiles will help greatly as they will act like reflectors providing fill light from all angles.

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WHEN SHOOTING OUTDOORS

1. Shoot before or after lunch.
The best time of the day to shoot are in between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Shooting at high noon when the sun is beating down is uncomfortable for your subject, unflattering for portraits, and produces harsh shadows.

2. Use a makeshift reflector.
As a rule, don’t take pictures against your light source. But in situations where the sun is behind
your subject, use a reflector in front of the subject (but outside the frame) to “bounce” light to dimly lit areas. A large white cloth positioned strategically will do this job. Other makeshift reflectors include a sheet of aluminum foil, a mirror, even windshield visors.

3. Use your flash.
Surprisingly, using your flash outdoors is actually advisable. This is because the flash aids in balancing the light from the sun on your subject, or in pro speak, “adds fill light.”

WHEN SHOOTING INDOORS

1. Use window light.
Shoot near a window with light streaming from the outside and position your baby in such a way
that the window (i.e. light source) is on either side of her. If the light is too harsh and creates deep
shadows, hang a white cloth across the area where the shadows are cast to refl ect light toward them. Or, if the fabric is thin enough, use it as a curtain to soften the light.

2. Control your flash.
A nifty little DIY trick for indoor shooting is to grab a small piece of white tissue or thin paper and place it in front of the camera flash. This makes the light appear bigger and will create a softer
“glow” instead of a harsh flash on the subject.

KNOW YOUR SUBJECT
1. Is your child most pleasant after feeding time or during bath time? Use props to keep her fascinated (and hopefully in place). The best ones are her favorite toy or favorite food.

2. Babies are attracted to black and white patterns in their first three months, then to primary colors and bold geometric prints. Position posters, mobiles, or other items depicting these patterns next to the camera so you won’t have a hard time making baby look at the camera.

3. Where are her tickle spots? Try to anticipate when her winning smile appears. Shots with the baby mid-cackle at a favorite plaything, even when not looking into the camera, can make
adorable candids.

PARTING SHOT
There are no hard and fast rules in photography, so feel free to experiment. The best way to
enjoy the benefits of digital photography is to keep that shutter clicking. With increased skill and proficiency, you’ll gain enough confidence to switch to manual and start experimenting with more creative shots.