Jack ‘o Lanterns
We love jack ‘o lanterns! Especially because each member of our family carves one for their personality! But, sometimes you just cant get the warm glow effect of the candle to come out in your pictures! Usually, the problem is your flash. Most cameras will pop the flash automatically, especially if it’s dark. The tone of the flash is cold compared to the warm glow from the jack o’ lantern, so the photo doesn’t turn out like you want it to. To fix this, turn off your flash, raise your ISO to 400 or 800, and slow down the shutter speed. Also, try using a tripod or table to avoid a blurry photo.
My number one piece of advice for photographing costumes is to take the pictures early! The makeup is still fresh, the masks are on, and the kids’ sugar rushes have not yet hit their peak. Take several photos: group shots, individual shots, posed shots, and candids. Use backgrounds to enhance your photo, like a spooky tree or a decorated yard. Encourage your subjects to act the part of the costume…you’ll be surprised at how quickly both kids and adults will get into it!
At night, use the night mode on your camera. It still uses the flash, but it allows for the ambient light to come through also! Sometimes it actually might make the pictures a little more “scary” because of the cool lighting it creates! Above all else, come at your subject in a bunch of different angles. Get down on the ground, kneel at their level, take from above with them looking up at you, etc. Some of my favorite shots are of my kids running away from me down the road with their trick or treating bags flailing in the wind! Be sure to try out some different editing once your done too! Sometimes those ho hum pictures become masterpieces if changed to black and white or sepia!
Have fun, and stay safe!
Happy Halloween!
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