10 Unusual Ways To Take Better Photos Of People

If you practice even half of these tips in action, you’re guaranteed to get some excellent images.

Even if you already are an experienced wedding photographer you may find some of these ideas very useful. And it’s never a bad idea to go back to the basics every now and then.

Try slow-synch flash

If using flash, try as slow a shutter speed as possible – 1/15 to 1/25 second, say – to make the most of ambient lighting. Try panning with moving subjects while you fire the flash to freeze the subject and blur a distant background.

Use light patterns creatively

If there are any interesting light patterns outside the church or register office, you can use them to add impact and drama to your images. Be aware, however, that such patterns may come and go as the day progresses, so you may have to work quickly to capture them.

Tilt the camera

Camera tilt adds a sense of motion to an image. You don’t have to always keep the camera in landscape or portrait format, be adventurous and align the composition lines at diagonals in the image to create impact. As with all techniques don’t over do this – one or two images is ample.

Go low

Try shooting from a low vantage point. Avoid crouching on your haunches, however. Such a stance makes you unsteady and you may find your shots ruined by camera shake. If the ground is dry, kneel down, or even lie down, in order to stand a better chance of keeping the camera steady.

Wait a second

Let other people take their photographs and then capture the subjects as they relax. Formal, posed shots are OK for the record, but when aiming to capture the emotion of the event, people come across better in photos when they’re happy, relaxed and unworried about people taking pictures of them.

Listen for laughter

Weddings are happy occasions, so keep an ear out for laughter. Shots in which people look happy and relaxed work very well, so use your ears as well as your eyes to monitor the dynamic of the wedding party and move in on where the action’s taking place.

Be candid

While the couple are busy being congratulated, you can go round and get some candid shots of the guests. They’ll be happily distracted and therefore more relaxed than when they feel they have to pose for the camera. The unobtrusive photographer can have some of the best shots of the wedding day.

Compose subtly

Pre-focus and compose your subject through the lens, then get their attention by talking or smiling at them – they won’t know you’re taking the photograph. When they do realise, they’ll laugh and you can then take more natural-looking photographs. The more relaxed people are, the better the shots will turn out.

Listen for stories

When mingling with the guests listen out for someone telling a story. There are typically numerous characters at the wedding, each with something to say, so let them warm up the crowd for you and be ready to capture their reactions.

Aim high

Where possible, try high angles (or low ones) to get shots that are different from those taken by the rest of the guests. Most people will shoot from head height, so get on a chair, table or windowsill to make your compositions stand out from the rest.

Read the full article over at Digital Camera World.

Source: Digital Camera World