City Escapes Nature Photography: December 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

Newsletter

December, 2012

Family Get-together Photography: Getting the Most Out of Your Shots (and When to Put the Camera Away)

December is a time of celebration for many of us, a time when we get together with friends and family to feast on traditional foods, exchange gifts, honor our beliefs and our families, drink eggnog and champagne (hopefully not together), and ring in the new year. (In my family, in addition to Christmas and New Year’s Eve we also have at least four birthdays – we celebrate all month long!) December is also a great time to put those photography skills you have been honing to good use.

The vast majority of photography is meant, first and foremost, to either capture or evoke emotion. Whether it be the delight in a child’s face as he or she unwraps that mysterious box from under the tree, the primal fear and awe caused by a massive tornado twisting dark and menacing in the sky, or the tranquility and peace of a serene landscape, images are intended to transport the viewer into an emotion. That is why posed shots so often seem lacking – there is rarely any genuine emotion revealed in them, except perhaps discomfort. The images are flat and uninteresting. This holiday season, for the most impact, try to capture the candid moments. Plan for that point in time when the gift gets unwrapped. Keep an eye on the dog to capture the instant the cookies get snuck off the counter. Shoot from the hip if you have to, so that people aren’t self-conscious about being photographed. And above all, don’t be obtrusive about it.

Sure, get those posed shots of the entire family together, too. But as you are doing so, interject something that will bring out candid emotions in your subjects: tell a funny joke, relate a moving story, make a goofy face. Put them at ease. If there is someone in the group who simply does not want to smile, don’t try to force them. The more singled out and chastised they feel, the worse your images will be – and the colder the air between you.

Be aware, also, that many people are uncomfortable being photographed. We live in a very judgmental society, where people are evaluated and criticized by their looks much more frequently than they should be. This creates feelings of insecurity among many, especially women. People begin to believe that they should not have their photo taken unless they are perfect and stunningly beautiful, for it will create a record of their “shortcomings”. Even if those who surround them think the world of them -- and they know it -- this insecurity can triumph. Some folks also will not truly relax until the cameras get put away. There are different reasons for this. Some don’t want to risk letting their hair down when images of their actions might be captured for future reference, while others simply remain too self-conscious to relax. As the photographer, you must be aware of these potential situations and learn to read the mood of your subjects. Don’t push beyond an acceptable limit; respecting your subjects – be they animal or human – is one of the fundamental rules of photography. You may even want to create “no-camera zones” (which include cell phone cameras) at certain times, such as when playing games that require participants to do something goofy. Some people who may already be hesitant to make themselves look silly will flat out refuse to participate if there is a risk that photos will be taken and shared with others who are not present. Always remember that the ability to record and share images has far outpaced most people’s level of comfort with having things recorded and shared. Respect your subjects, and the holiday get-togethers will continue to be photographer-friendly.

December’s Fun Facts

December seems to be the only time we ever hear about mistletoe. How much do you actually know about this fun holiday decoration?

· Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, requiring a host tree or shrub. Heavy infestation can kill the host plant.

· Many common species of mistletoe are poisonous.

· Mistletoe is spread mainly by birds. Birds eat the seeds, some of which survive until they are passed through the birds’ digestive system. Parts of the birds’ dung will land on tree branches, where the surviving seeds will attach themselves and germinate. This process is how the plant got its name. The old English version is “mistiltan”: “mistel” means dung, while “tan” means twig.

· The plants grow into basket-like masses in the branches of their hosts. These masses provide ready-made nests for many species of birds, including the northern spotted owl and painted honeyeaters.

· The origins of the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe are unknown, but it dates to at least 16^th century England.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from all of us to all of you. May you have a

WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!