The importance of light has been around for a really long time and I’m here to tell you that its still pretty important and has everything to do with a great image.
Before I change any setting on my camera, I’m looking at what the light is doing. Is it bright/harsh/dappled/soft. Does it reflect, are there shadows?
Do a little task for me. Grab a notebook and pen and walk through your beautiful home first thing in the morning and then again in the afternoon. Notice where the light comes in and where it seems brighter. Is it your bedroom, is it the kitchen.
What does that room look like in the morning? And in the afternoon? So different right? Do the same for your garden.
Here’s some fail safe tips when shooting at home.
When shooting outside:
Let me know if any of these tips helped!! Or get in touch if you’d like to find out more and improve your photography skills!
I host a wonderful mobile workshop for everyone with Chanel Bergsma. It’s an in person workshop and you just need your smartphone!
We have loved every workshop and are so encouraged with how attendees have stepped up their game in photography after learning our skills and tips.
Follow Desiree Dales on Instagram here or follow the Photography Workshop - the one for everyone here...
Upcoming dates:
FRIDAY 4th November
SATURDAY 26th November
I know so many of us rely on our phones to take our photos but if you do have a DSLR camera then take it with to the sports games as they do just take better action photos. Make sure you’re using the right settings and lenses and all the other good things that comes with using a fancier camera.
Or my advice because we don’t have a DSLR camera yet …. Make friends with the Mom or Dad who does have the fancy camera and who loves to take photos :)
2. Notice the moments off the field
Capturing the action shots are always amazing, but there’s also so many magical moments that happen leading up to the games, in between halves, after the games, from the side lines or some of the quieter moments on the field or court.
Notice these moments and capture them. Perhaps it’s the sweat dripping down your 7 year olds face at half time, or the high fives on the sidelines when their team mates scores. I love this one of the magnet maker after playing some tennis with our little guy a few years ago.
Maybe it’s the clothes and boots being laid out on their bed the night before the game, or a kid sitting on a ball while talking some strategy with a team mate. It's all part of the game isn't it?
3. Capture the details
Sometimes it’s the little details that make things extra special for us parents. The long socks on chunky little legs, or the shoe laces of new boots being tied. Perhaps the number on the back of a rugby jersey or the way he holds a cricket ball or she holds her medal... or the bleachers on a cold winters evening like this photo that Hayley Malherbe captured recently.
Maybe it’s a photo of him holding a brand new tennis ball - the bright yellow fluff contrasting with the lines on the ball being held in his hand. Or the pink ribbons of ballet shoes being wrapped by teenage fingers, or the pony tail that sticks out of her cap that’s keeping the sun off her freckled face…
Spend some time noticing the smaller details of the games…
4. Include the team
Capture the team…. Isn’t that what so much of sport is about… that sense of belonging. So capture those moments… i’m not talking about the obligatory team photo at the end of the match that we all love, but more the photos of the team running onto the field, or opponents shaking hands over the tennis net. The half time team talk (again, thanks to the amazing Mom photographer Hayley Malherbe for this special photo) or the huddle before they do that cheer thing that they all do…
And sometimes including the team can also mean not being afraid to take photos of special moments you see happening of other kids in the team, perhaps it’s a Dad leaning down to give a pep talk, or tie a shoe lace… Perhaps it’s a Mom cheering wildly on the side line… capture those and share them too….
5. Put down the camera
At the end of the day, as amazing as it is to capture all these moments, big and small, what’s even more special is truly just being present in the moment… So don’t forget to also just put the cameras away, focus on your kid, cheer and shout, and just enjoy the game and the fact that fun is being had…
Tag us on Instagram the next time you take some photos of your kids playing sport, we'd love to see them in action. And of course, don't forget to print some photos and get them up on your fridge for the little people to relive those special moments again and again and again.
]]>Our kids experience a whole bunch of emotions and we don't have to just stick to capturing being happy! So ask them how they're feeling, and capture their emotions.... whether it's laughing, excitement, grumpy... this isn't a say cheese moment, this is a raw and 'capture the moment' moment.
There's something magical about the love our kids share with their pets. It's like they just remember to be a little more present with them than we do, they talk to them, they love them, they need them. It's truly a symbiotic relationship isn't it...
Capture these moments, capture the pets... We lost our Chilli Cat last year and I wish I had a million more photos of him!
There's something so special about the bond between a Dad and his daughter has... I think it's the same for Moms and sons... And obviously Mom's and daughters and Dad's and sons! Granny's and grandkids, brothers playing together. Sometimes it's friends playing side by side, or a baby with their nanny... At the end of the day, relationships are what makes life so beautiful.
I know mamma.... being a mom can be hard work. Sometimes those every day moments are exhausting... I know.. But... there are days when these moments are magical, and it's these moments that we're going to miss like crazy when they're all big and out the house, or rolling their eyes at us in their teens. Don't forget to capture the everyday moments...
And perhaps this is also a reminder to be a little silly. I don't know about you, but in this house, the magnet maker is the fun, silly and crazy one, while I'm the organizer, the one reminding them to do their chores, yup, the serious one....
Here's to more silly moments!
Cause you know your mommy heart might think you'll never forget these moments, but it happens. Goodness, I can't even remember my second child's first word any more! How bad is that... So take all the photos! From their first pair of school shoes, their first sports matches, and uniforms. Doing their homework and recording Chip and Biff being read. So many milestones, so many photo opportunities.
It might feel like they're going to be playing soldier soldier for ever, or building lego creations, or colouring in or making slime for ever and a day, but before you know it, they'll be painting their nails, or playing Minecraft and won't want to be doing any of those sweet activities. Capture the moments Mamma.
And lastly - is there anything sweeter than a sleeping child. (Or in this case a sleeping child and sleeping puppy, goodness!)
Thanks to Hayley Malherbe for always taking such magical photos and for allowing us to share them here. If you don't follow her already then you can find her here on Instagram.
And then lastly.... don't forget to get some of the magical photos you take off your phone and onto your fridges for all to admire...
Visit www.skwe.co.za to get them onto some fridge magnets for your family.
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