Trip to Cameron Highlands @ Bala Chalet

I dont think I need to write a single word, the photos describe the feelings!!

Backlit Lighting....

Pekan, here we come again!  Yes, we are in Pekan, but this entry is not about promoting Pekan nor about this month's challenge.  Today we talk about natural lighting.   Aisyah voluntarily offer herself to be the model.  We tried a few theory based on my reading and the most challenging part was to use the light before sunset as our backlight.  
**Backlight is when in relation to the photographer, the light is behind the subject, whether directly or a bit to the side. While the sun is the source of light, we’re not necessarily shooting into it. The backlight can be provided by a bright sky, a reflective wall or a window. The idea of backlit images is nothing new; it’s just that there are various ways shooting them. The most common use of backlight is in silhouettes against the rising or setting sun or a bright sky just before or after this time. Shooting these sorts of images is pretty straight forward; we have to find a “clean” background that doesn’t “blend in” with the subject and we have to shoot from a low angle i.e. get on the ground, to separate the subject from the horizon.  Alternatively, the ground can be reflective, this will also prevent the subject from “blending in”. We can experiment a little by composing in a way where the sunlight is slightly off to the side and the sun itself is excluded from the frame. No sun means no extreme, bright light. The result is - less contrast between the subject and the background and more light and detail in the foreground.**(The above notes were extracted from ebook  "Making the Most Available Light and Minimal Equipment by Mitchell Kanash Kevish).  

Enjoy my work....

February Challenge - Food Photography

This is the most interesting challenge! in many ways...  Of course first in the list is, I can eat my subject!! Next is, there are many things I can choose to shoot, from the ingredients, methods, the presentation, the decorations, fruits, vegetables, cakes so on and so on......(I may need to extend the challenge until March :)

Last week, I have just grabbed my self a book from MPH on food photography, "Plate to Pixel" by Helene Dujardin, France born but moved to USA in late 90s.  She uses natural light most of the times and has discussed in great details about natural lighting in her book.  

To start the challenge, i choose a few main ingredients usually used in Malay cooking.

I cooked lunch today :)

Hari ni Hannah tolong mama masak sup sayur... Mula-mula kena potong carrot, pastu tomato pastu bosanla sebab pisau Hannah tak tajamla....

Stoybeyi Pink....

Hari-hari, inilah pesan Hannah kepada mama atau ayah
"Mama, nanti mama beyi stoybeyi pink anyak-anyak!"

Sebenarnya saya sedang cuba mengaitkan mengapa saya mengambil gambar buah strawberry dan grape bulan ini!  Sepatutnya tajuk bulan ini ialah "My Sunshine"  Tak kisahla ye, at least saya masih berjaya post gambar setiap minggu :)

Good nite....

and my monthly challenges start....

January Challenge - My Sunshine.
Some tips to improve our skills...
The shots shown were from my collections.  For this challenge i will update my new work...
 1. Photograph what you love.
Don’t think you have to have special skills to photograph your children well. There’s a special spirit that emanates from a photograph of children taken by someone who loves them. It really can’t be replicated by a professional photographer. Think of yourself as the documentarian of your children’s lives. Be ready for surprises. Your attention to every detail of each child will shine through in your photographs. 

Sample from author

My sample....

2. Skip the “cheese.”

We all have a tendency to try and pose our children for photographs. But generally we end up with stiff poses and awkward smiles that don’t really capture the moment. Try to back up a little and just watch; let them do their thing and be ready to click when the time is right.

3. Photograph what makes your child special to you.

Sample from author

4. Shift the focus.

 Sometimes you can capture a moment by not focusing on your children. I have loads of photos of the treasures my children have found and brought to me. In those cases, I always try to focus on the object, with my child’s sweet face or hands in the background or just slightly visible.

Sample from author

photo was taken when Hannah was warded @ DEMC

5. Capture relationships.

Too often our photos are of the child alone, which doesn’t tell the full story. Look for those moments among siblings, cousins, friends, parents and their children that really illustrate their relationships.  Also, being behind the lens gives you a different perspective—and maybe even some insight into your child's relationships.

Photo from author

6. Establish a sense of place.

The landscape of coastal Georgia, where we live, is so important in the story of my kids’ childhood, so I try to include as much of the landscape as possible in my photos.Yes, it’s important to remember that you are not only creating photographic memories of your children, but of their home, as well. Think of the children when they’ve grown up: They will have a dim, but happy, memory of the backyard or neighborhood park they played in. You can help reawaken memories with photos of their childhood haunts.

 7. Get a speedy camera.
The biggest complaint I hear from moms is that by the time the shutter clicks, the moment has passed. We all know kids move quickly, so you need a camera that can keep up!

If you have a point-and-shoot camera:

• Put your camera on “sports” mode, which usually has a faster shutter speed.

• Increase the odds of getting the best photo by taking LOTS of photos!

Consider buying a basic DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera. This is what professionals use and it’s more expensive, but it has a faster shutter speed than any point-and-shoot, and it will give you room to grow as you learn about photography.

Point-and-shoot cameras are portable, inexpensive, and easy to use. If you are in the market for one, ask the salesperson to show you cameras that take pictures quickly. Some cameras have a time delay between when you press the button and when the picture is taken, and that can be frustrating.

8. Change your perspective.

Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground to capture your child’s perspective on the world! Or do just the opposite and climb higher to capture the action from above.

Many photos are taken looking down on children. Bend your knees and get on their level—it will offer a fresh and revealing view. A “worm's-eye” view can be fun too!

Birthday syira @ McDonalds

9. Be creative with light.

I love it when I am able to capture light in my photographs in a way that really gives a sense of the moment. The general rule of thumb is to always have the sun behind the photographer’s back, but sometimes it’s good to break the rules! Morning and evening light are softer and cast beautiful, long shadows.

The saying is “Put the sun behind your shoulder,” but it should be “Put the sun behind a cloud.” An overcast or rainy day can be perfect picture-taking weather, because it provides a soft, even light. 

Hannah January 2012

 Hannah - my ever ready model!!

     

More photos of Hannah