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10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $50

11 Dec

The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.

The festive season is fast upon us. Do you have a food blogger or photographer in your life but are stuck on a gift that won’t break the bank? Luckily, food photography is one genre where prop lust is never-ending. You can buy helpful and attractive gifts for food photographers that they will love – many under $ 50 bucks.

Here are 10 ideas for gifts for food photographers that are sure to please.

gifts for food photographers

Linen napkins

Every food photographer has an arsenal of napkins in their collection, so they can be ready to create any mood in their images. Napkins and other textiles go a long way in creating a visual story, and the wrong choice can make an image feel a bit off.

This is where linen saves the day. Not only does its natural and fine texture go with virtually any setting, but it also drapes well, which can’t be said about a lot of other fabrics.

If you’ve ever tried to make a napkin look effortlessly placed, you’ll know why propping napkins is the bane of every food photographer’s existence. Linen makes this job a lot easier.

It also photographs well, because you don’t get the significant color shifts you can have when taking pictures with other fabrics.

There are a lot of great sources to buy linen online, but you can also head to a popular home retailer and pick up a few for a reasonable price. Places like Crate & Barrel sell them individually, so you don’t have to buy a pack of four, which will likely be three more than are really needed. Choose neutral colors like grey, cream, or light and navy blue.

10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50

French cutting boards

Whether vintage or new, there is something about a French cutting board that adds a bit of pizzaz to an image.

Food photography is all about using layers to create interest. Placing a dish on a cutting board is a great way to style an image or add a bit of context to a scene.

French cutting boards make great gifts for food photographers but they can be expensive. However, many stores like Homesense carry them at very reasonable prices.

French Cutting Board

Cake stands

Every food photographer needs a couple of cake stands. A neutral color and on the smaller side is best.

Cake stands are useful for showing off a beautiful cake, of course, but they can also be used to prop other sweets, like stacks of cookies or even an arrangement of fruit.

A cake stand adds height and can be a prop that improves a composition without competing with the food.

To make the cake stand extra useful look for one with a detachable base.

Glass Cake Stand

Vinyl backdrops

Vinyl backdrops created specifically for food and still life photographers have become more and more popular with photographers in recent years, as an alternative to heavy and expensive custom-made backdrops.

The selection of manufacturers selling vinyl backdrops used to be fairly poor, but now there are some new companies selling high-quality backdrops in beautiful designs.

The backdrops offered by Captured by Lucy are under $ 50 USD in 2×3 feet, and come in a variety of colors and designs that work great for food photography. They lie flat as soon as you unroll them.

Vinyl backdrops are great for containing spills or working with ice and drips.

If you want to get a bit more bang for your buck, you can try the backdrops and Ink & Elm. The quality is decent and the price more affordable, which means you can purchase a few for your budget.

Vinyl Backdrops

Vardagen IKEA glasses

One of the biggest challenges in propping food photography is the size of glassware these days. It’s way too big.

Scale is a very important aspect of food photography composition. In addition, objects can appear a lot larger to the camera than they actually are. You can really notice this when you shoot a scene from overhead because it flattens the depth.

As a food photographer, you don’t want your props dwarfing the star of the show – the food.

Vardegen glasses from IKEA are the perfect size for food photography. The ridges make the glass less reflective, which makes them easier to photograph, but they are translucent enough to look attractive in photos.

Vinyl Backdrops

Pallares Solsona carbon steel knife

Look at the foodie posts on Instagram, and you will invariably come across a carbon steel knife with a rounded wooden handle. This style of knife has become ubiquitous in the food photography world. It adds such a nice touch to a food scene without distracting from the major elements. It looks great with other modern or vintage props.

Several manufacturers make this kind of carbon steel knife. Pallares Solsona is one brand that can be bought through many sources online for a reasonable price.

gifts for food photographers

Tether Tools tethering cable

A key to capturing great food photos is to work tethered in Lightroom. This is where you hook up your camera to your computer via a USB cable so you can see a larger and more accurate rendition of your photo on the screen than you can get on your camera’s LCD screen.

This cable is called a USB 2.0 to Mini B. Tether Tools is the brand most trusted and used by pro photographers everywhere.

When searching for this type of cable, it’s important to purchase one that has gold tips, so they don’t get corroded easily.

Acacia Wood salad servers

We said that scale is an important factor in food photography. Salad servers that are small enough can be difficult to find. You don’t want them hogging up your frame and detracting from your beautiful salad.

Amazon offers some lovely acacia wood servers with your choice of gold or white handle that is small enough for food photography and looks attractive with a variety of foods and props.

Also, the wood is not too orange, which is a color that tends not to translate very nicely in photos when it comes to props.

gifts for food photographers

Pinch bowls

Can a food photographer ever have enough pinch bowls? The short answer is no. Most of us tend to have a large inventory of these in a variety of materials and colors.

Because they’re so small and perfect for displaying ingredients and seasonings, they add context to a food story and help create balanced compositions without overpowering the main subject.

Look for pinch bowls in ceramic, glass, wood or marble. Neutral colors work best, but sometimes patterned pinch bowls can look great if they are used with care. You can find pinch bowls everywhere, but the white rustic pinch bowls form Nom Living in the UK are crazy popular with food photographers and Instagrammers everywhere. They will make the perfect gift for a food photographer.

10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50

The Food Stylist’s Handbook

Every food photographer needs at least one resource on food styling at their fingertips. Even food photographers who work with a food stylist need to know how food behaves in front of the camera and be familiar with the tips and tricks that make food look its best.

Photographers who take on commissioned projects often have to do their own food styling, as do those who submit to stock sites.

The Food Stylist’s Handbook by Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan is an indispensable resource and a great gift for a food photographer. It not only shows you how to style specific food for the camera, but it also gives you the information on the tools you need and how to build a styling kit – something every food photographer or blogger needs.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these gifts for food photographers will solve the problem of what to buy for a special someone in your life. And, just remember, you can’t go wrong with classic props in neutral colors, and textures like linen, marble, and natural wood.

Do you have other gift ideas for food photographers that you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments section!

The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.

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Best gifts for photographers 2019: $60 and under

15 Nov

Gifts for photographers for $ 60 and less

Artisanal scented candles. At-home spa treatments. Really nice socks. They’re the kinds of things we could buy for ourselves, and they’d probably be really nice to have. But they’re just barely on the wrong side of the practical/frivolous divide, so we keep making do with mediocre socks. This, my friends, is the Gift Zone: items that have practical use, but are luxurious enough that the recipient probably wouldn’t buy them for themselves.

If you’re shopping for a photographer and are looking for something a little special, something in the Gift Zone, you’re in the right place.

Peak Design Cuff

peakdesign.com | $ 30

Wrist straps are great. Should you dangle a whole DSLR from your wrist? Definitely not. Instead, we like them for those in-between times – when you’re not actively shooting, but want your camera in hand and at the ready. A quality wrist strap provides a little more security and support in those moments.

The Peak Design Cuff does all of these things, and is definitely nicer than the wrist strap that came with the compact camera you bought in 2007. It uses the company’s Anchor Links to attach easily and securely to a camera, and a metal loop can be used to cinch the strap tighter to the wearer’s wrist.

Cecilia memory card wallet

shopcecilia.com | $ 40

If the Digital Storage Police ever busted DPReview headquarters they’d find plenty of criminal offenses, like loose memory cards tucked into dusty desk drawers and backpack pockets. There’s a better way. An SD card wallet is a small step toward better storage organization, or a nice companion to an already functional digital storage workflow. Plus, it looks fancy. Cecilia is one of our favorite camera strap makers, and its leather SD card wallet looks snazzy in black, brown or charcoal.

Anyway, please don’t call the Digital Storage Police on us. We’re serious.

Topo camera cube

topodesigns.com | $ 60

A camera cube will turn just about any larger bag into a camera bag, which is handy; sometimes you need your camera but don’t want to carry an actual camera bag. Topo’s camera cube is just right for the job – it’s durable, big enough to hold a full-frame mirrorless camera and lens, and fits like a dream inside a full-size Herschel Little America backpack. It even ships with a shoulder strap if you want to use the cube itself as a bag.

Herschel travel pouches

herschel.com | $ 25

Photographers are often also travelers, which means there’s a high probability that they stuff a lot of cords and small personal items into Ziplock bags four hours before they fly anywhere. A set of travel pouches won’t make them a more organized person, but it will conceal a mess of chargers and power adapters in an attractively-designed vessel.

Flight 001 5-in-1 Universal Travel Adapter

flight001.com | $ 35

See previous note about photographers also being travelers. The 5-in-1 adapter stacks into a neat package and includes a color-coded guide indicating which plug is used in which country. Plus, the ‘fifth’ functionality is a couple of handy USB ports, which is useful no matter where you are on the globe.

Enamel camera pin

etsy.com | $ 10-12

Enamel pins are enjoying a real resurgence in popularity these days. Pretty much any pop culture object or character has been enamel-pin-ized, so it should come as no surprise that you can find a pin that pays homage to your favorite vintage camera or film stock. We knew we could count on you, Etsy.

Photo book

$ 20-40

Books? Books! Help bolster a New Year’s Resolution to reduce screen time by providing an alternative: a coffee-table-worthy photo book. If you’re unsure of where to start, head for the classics like Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Vivian Maier. National Geographic is another safe bet – its curated collections rely on decades of world-class photography.

Filson 1970’s Logger Thermal Socks

filson.com | $ 32

We weren’t kidding about the really fancy socks. Would any of us spend $ 30 on a single pair of socks? Heck no. That’s why they make an ideal gift. For a photographer, getting the shot can sometimes mean getting yourself into environments that are cold, or wet, or an unpleasant combination of the two. A good wool sock is essential, and Filson’s thermal socks fit the bill.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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TOP 13 Landscape Photography Accessories Under $100 [video]

17 May

The post TOP 13 Landscape Photography Accessories Under $ 100 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

Following on from last week’s video share from Mark Denney “Which Landscape Photography Camera Should You Buy?“, I thought I’d also share his video on affordable landscape photography accessories.

These are, of course, Mark’s opinions and not mine. I’d be interested to know your thoughts and if you have any to add to this list.

In the video, Mark mentions these accessories in order of price, starting at number 13.

TOP 13 Landscape Photography Accessories under $ 100

13. Samsung 500GB SSD at $ 87.99

While the Samsung 500GB SSD doesn’t have massive storage, it is perfect for travel because of its size and portability. It’s lightweight and durable and fits in your pocket.

12. NRS Boundary Socks – $ 84.95

NRS Boundary Socks are water socks and keep your feet warm and dry when standing in water. They have a seal around the top so that water cannot enter the top. These are also handy for getting better shots because you can get into the water and shoot from better angles.

11. Vallerret Photography Gloves – $ 79.95

The Vallerret Photography Gloves are perfect for photographers because the thumb and forefinger tips flip back to allow you to adjust your camera controls while still keeping your hands warm and dry. They also have a non-slip surface on the palm so that you can grip your camera confidently.

10. Hoya Circular Polarizer – $ 53

This Hoya Circular Polarizer is a great option if you are on a budget. The quality is high and the results are great. You may not always use it, but they are great to have.

9. Black Diamond Headlamp – $ 38

This Black Diamond Headlamp is great for when you are shooting sunrises and sunsets, blue hour, astrophotography and you have to hike in and out of places in the dark, and set up your camera in low light. Having it on your head leaves your hands free. The headlamp is also super-bright – with 3 levels of brightness.

8. Tripod Spikes – $ 20-$ 96

Tripod Spikes are great for digging your tripod into the surface to give your tripod extra stability.

7. Pelican SD Card Case – $ 33.99

The Pelican SD Card Case is tough, durable, and waterproof. It fits several cards safely. It protects one of the most important parts of your gear because that is where your photos are stored.

6. Shimoda Small Accessory Case – $ 24.95

The Shimoda small accessory case is ideal for storing your extra camera batteries, chargers cables, and anything related to power. It has a clear plastic side so that you can see exactly what is in the case too. The fact that it is bright blue means that you can find it easily in your suitcase or backpack.

5. Small Moleskin Case – $ 19.95

The Small Moleskin Case can be used for keeping tools, such as Allen keys, flathead screwdrivers, or backup tripod plates.

4. Backpack Rain Cover – $ 5-$ 25

Backpack Rain Covers are ideal for covering your backpack and also for covering your camera when it is set up ready to take shots near waterfalls or if it is rainy. Shower caps are also a good solution for covering your camera in the rain.

3. Think Tank Red Whips (10) – $ 9.94

The Think Tank Red Whips are amazing cable ties for keeping your cables organized.

2. Giottos Rocket Blower – $ 8.00

All photographers should have one of these. The Giottos Rocket Blower is perfect for blowing the dust off your lens and camera. It’s strong and

1. Zeiss Microfibre Cloth – $ 7.90

The Zeiss Microfibre Cloth is ideal for cleaning your lenses and filters.

Do you have anything to add to this list? If so, please share in the comments below.

You may also find the following helpful:

5 Camera Accessories You Shouldn’t Buy Cheap
10 Must-Have Photography Accessories
DIY Photography Hacks and Accessories You Can Make at Home
11 Accessories for Long Exposure Photography
6 Accessories to help you Improve your Landscape Photography

The post TOP 13 Landscape Photography Accessories Under $ 100 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

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Skydio under fire for promoting illegal drone footage

08 Apr

Photo of Grand Prismatic Spring, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, courtesy of Don Kawahigashi. Drone use is illegal in all national parks.

California-based drone manufacturer, Skydio, is under investigation after promoting its proprietary ‘true follow-me’ feature with footage of a rollerblader gliding along a West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park.

Operating a drone is illegal in all national parks. So is in-line skating on their respective boardwalks. Skydio’s social media manager geo-tagged Iceland as the location where the video was shot, not Wyoming. ‘Thermal tour a la rollerblade,’ read the caption in the post that was viewed over 10,000 times in one week. Users quickly caught on to the discrepancy in location and the video was removed from the company’s feed.

Some commenters were put off by the misuse of the location tag. ‘Super dishonest,’ Instagram user and avid drone photographer @justin_mcvideo posted. ‘I was following this account, but no more. Shame.’

Skydio R1 drone

Yellowstone National Park law enforcement rangers learned of the video’s existence and, according to park spokeswoman Morgan Warthin, have not made any determinations. ‘They are aware, and they will investigate it,’ Warthin said. ‘What’s important to recognize is that there are so many incidents of drone use that we deal with. Visitors using drones in Yellowstone is a problem.’

In 2018, alone, there were around 40 illegal drone flights that were brought to the attention of Yellowstone rangers. A significant portion resulted in citations, and some of those required a mandatory court appearance. Fines amounted to over $ 1,000 per offending pilot.

Skydio was founded in 2014 by three MIT graduates. The CEO and CTO were early engineers at Project Wing, Google’s drone delivery effort. Their flagship product, the R1 consumer drone, uses NVIDIA’s AI supercomputer and 13 onboard cameras to autonomously fly and avoid obstacles in every direction. According to Crunchbase, the company has raised $ 70 million in 4 rounds of funding as of February, 2018. Representatives for Skydio have not released an official statement regarding this investigation.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sony merges mobile, camera divisions under new ‘Electronics Products and Solutions’ unit

29 Mar

Sony Mobile has until now been an independent division within the Sony organisation, but this is about to change. The company has announced it will combine Mobile with its TV, audio and camera divisions and call the new unit Electronics Products and Solutions.

Officially, this is a move to increase synergies between product lines. Some of this has already been going on, with some Sony Alpha camera and Bravia TV technologies being implemented on high-end smartphone models, but apparently there is room for improvement.

Sony Mobile has been a weak spot in the Sony empire in recent years. With only 13.5 million units sold in 2017 and a decrease to an estimated 7 million in 2018 the division generated substantial losses of more than $ 913 million during the last four quarters. The camera division is doing much better, with an $ 804 million profit during the same period. TVs generated an operating profit of $ 714 million. So some investors fear the reorganization could be a move designed to hide the poor performance of Mobile behind the success of other units.

That said, the company has set a target to reduce costs in order minimize losses and hopes to be back to profitability with Mobile by 2021. The new triple-camera Xperia 1 could be a first step into that direction.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Fujifilm X-T30, Sony a6400 added to ‘Best Cameras under $1000’ buying guide

15 Mar

We’ve added the Fujifilm X-T30 and Sony a6400 to our ‘Best Cameras under $ 1000’ buying guide. Both of these cameras offer a lot of bang for your buck, with impressive stills and video capabilities for $ 900 body only.

While we’re yet to publish our full reviews of these cameras, we’ve added our initial impressions on both cameras in this updated guide. Look for our final reviews of both cameras in the near future.

Best Cameras under $ 1000 buying guide

All buying guides

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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CP+ 2019: Olympus shows super-tele zoom and 2.0 TC under glass

03 Mar

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm 1:4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO

Olympus announced its intent to make a 150-400mm F4.5 zoom back in January. There was a demonstration sample on show at CP+ in Yokohama. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm 1:4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO has a name that matches its considerable size.

Features (of some sort) galore

The side of the lens shows five switches, which we’d expect to give direct access to AF/MF, IS, focus limiting and two other things. Possibly including the control to engage and disengage the 1.25x teleconveter that’s built in. Bringing the TC into the optical path turns the lens into a 187.5-500mm F5.6. That’s 375-1000mm F11 equivalent, if those numbers aren’t already big enough for you.

Sensibly sized

Considering the range it covers it’s a relatively compact lens. While it’s easy to point out that it’s an F9 or F11 equivalent, it’s worth remembering that there aren’t many 300-800mm/375-1000mm lenses for other formats. If you need that impressive reach in a lens that you can actually pick up, this will be one of the only options.

There’s a predictably large lens hood/bucket to go with it.

Who’s it for?

Olympus says the lens will be available in 2020 and is intended for sport, wildlife and bird photographers.

M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20

Also on show was a non-built-in teleconverter: the MC-20, which will be available in Summer 2019. This doubles the focal length of a lens it’s attached to, but at the cost of 2 stops of light. The MC-20 can be used with 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO as well as the existing M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO.

Combined with the forthcoming zoom and its internal teleconverter, we believe you’d get a 375-1000mm F11 lens (equivalent to a 750-2000mm F22 lens on full frame). Though the combination seems rather specialist.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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News links on Google may lose thumbnail photos under EU Copyright Directive

22 Jan

Google has given the public a preview of what Internet news results may look like if EU Copyright Directive Article 11 passes. Under this directive, news aggregators like Google and Bing would be required to pay non-waivable licensing fees in order to display image thumbnails and small text snippets from news articles.

The European Parliament backed the controversial copyright directive in September 2018 following the rejection of an earlier version in July 2018. Under the directive, the EU seeks to make certain companies liable for infringement of copyrighted content uploaded onto their online platforms (Article 13), and to require news aggregators to pay for displaying anything more than a link to a news source (Article 11).

The directive has proven divisive. Though proponents argue that the law could help protect copyright holders and traditional publishers, critics have expressed concerns over the directive’s potential effects on small publishers and the quality of search engine news aggregation results.

In its most recent update on the matter, Google gave SearchEngineLand access to an experiment showing what news search results may look like if Article 11 passes — devoid of image thumbnails, article titles, and text previews.

The image follows a blog post published by Google News Vice President Richard Gingras in December, who warned that under Article 11:

… search engines, news aggregators, apps, and platforms would have to put commercial licences in place, and make decisions about which content to include on the basis of those licensing agreements and which to leave out.

Effectively, companies like Google will be put in the position of picking winners and losers. Online services, some of which generate no revenue (for instance, Google News) would have to make choices about which publishers they’d do deals with. Presently, more than 80,000 news publishers around the world can show up in Google News, but Article 11 would sharply reduce that number.

Though the licensing fees paid by Google and similar companies under Article 11 could potentially benefit content creators, that assumes the companies would be willing to pay the fees rather than alter their products.

In late 2014, Google announced that it was closing down its Google News product in Spain after the country passed legislation that would have required it to pay publishers for displaying a preview of news articles. Google had called the requirement ‘unsustainable,’ stating that it doesn’t display ads on Google News and does not make revenue from that product.

In 2015, following the loss of Google News, an analysis by NERA Consulting found that publishers in the country experienced an average traffic drop of 6%, with small publishers suffering the most at 14%. German publishers experienced similar issues in 2014.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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How to Photograph Children Under Five with Little to No Meltdowns

13 Jan

The post How to Photograph Children Under Five with Little to No Meltdowns appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.

Photographing children under five can be really challenging. However, the most effective photographers are the ones who know how to avoid meltdowns that lead to children shutting down or simply, not wanting to participate at all. Read on to learn tips on how to photograph children without meltdowns!

Pose children with parents closeby can give them comfort and confidence during the session.

Choose the best time for the children

The best way to avoid a meltdown with children from newborn to five years of age is to choose the best time during the day that works best for them. That’s right, we’re working on the child’s schedule rather than the parents or even your photography calendar. This is because some children may be more alert after a good nap and others may be in a better mood after breakfast.

Catering to the child’s already existing schedule avoids any disruptions or over-tiredness. Having the session as part of the day’s activities also gets them excited to explore and play.

Bring snacks and toys

There is nothing more cranky than a hungry child. This goes for any child age 6-months and older. Kids need a snack or drink of some kind often. If your session is going to last from 45 minutes to more than an hour, it’s a good idea to have snacks and drinks on hand. Allowing children to have a snack during the session can also serve to give them a boost in energy and get them back into the session.

Ask the parents to bring the kids favorite snack and drink to the session as well as a snack that could be considered a reward or treat. These rewards/treats can help use bribery in order to get some smiles or to avoid a meltdown in the middle of the session.

Having parents interact and play with children can help relax them enough to get smiles.

Take breaks often to give the children a chance to snack and drink some water or juice. Take advantage that they are occupied to focus on the older children or on the parents.

Toys are a great way to keep children entertained and you can get a lot of real and authentic expressions out of the child when they are playing with their favorite toy. Sometimes, toys can bring comfort to children and help them to feel more relaxed around new strangers. Also, toys offer a distraction when you are photographing other members of the family all while keeping the smaller children from a tantrum or getting too bored.

Advise parents to avoid saying “no”

This is probably the one tip that will raise a few eyebrows among your clients, but it is really important to keep in mind. Children hear the word “no” over a hundred times a day, and sometimes this can bring about defiant behavior. Avoiding saying no can really help the child to feel more relaxed during the session.

Letting children play and have fun can make the session run smoother.

Not using the word “no” also gives them the freedom to explore, jump, play, run, and yes, even get dirty during the session. Giving children who are under 5 a great experience is really important. They will remember how much fun they had with you and your camera. The next time they see you for another portrait session, they won’t be so afraid or shy.

Let them get it all out of their system and have fun. The more they see this as a fun activity, the more willing they’ll be to cooperate. Of course, all within reason! If something is dangerous then a proper no is okay. For everything else, it’s a banned word for the whole session time.

This also gives you the opportunity to dictate how to say no without actually saying the word. For example, instead of having the parents say “no, don’t climb the tree” where the child will see this as their parents nagging again, you now have the lead to say instead, “hey bud, let’s go over here and see if we can find some sticks, that tree looks like it could have some ants on it.”

This makes you seem like the friend and keeps the parents from using a negative tone during the session. All together giving the child the impression that they are there to have fun and play. Giving you better expressions and eventually, they will listen when you ask them to look at the camera and smile.

Try posing other than smiling at the camera

Most children under five don’t have the patience to stand still for very long and smile at the camera. The most you’ll get from children of this age group is 30 minutes, with bribes! The best way to get them to participate longer is to capture them doing what children do best: play.

Children in this age group are learning so quickly and love to apply what they’ve learned or can identify all the time. This means that if they are at a park, they’ll want to pick up a stick and play. Show their parents and then jump around poking the dirt.

Which means, posed photos may not be what you expect with children so young. In order to capture the whole family together, for instance, is to pose all other members of the family in a way that when you join the smaller children, they are in direct contact with mom or dad. Either in their arms, next to one or the other, or on their laps. Laughing and telling jokes can help them to stay in place long enough for some good photos.

Having the family walk holding hands is also a great way to get the children more involved. You want them to play and explore but you also want them to participate in the more posed family photos as well.

Don’t be afraid to reschedule if necessary

Sometimes, you will get a child who isn’t willing and has multiple meltdowns that were simply unavoidable. If this does occur, offer the family to reschedule the session for another date and time that best suits the child’s schedule and mood.

This is the great thing about portrait sessions as they can be re-done in order to best suit the child who perhaps wasn’t in the mood for photos that day. Reassure your client that rescheduling is the best option and that it is completely okay and happens with children.

Sometimes you won’t get smiles out of children but it’s important to try and get a good solid portrait of them anyway.

Make sure that you exhaust all of the options before deciding that a reschedule is necessary. Sometimes, a child might just need a quick snack break or a break in general. Focus on taking photos of the parents or the other siblings to give them a rest. If all else fails, rescheduling could be the best solution.

Sometimes children open up toward the end of the session. Like this little girl. On the left was at the beginning and on the right, she was smiling toward the end of the session.

If you can’t reschedule, try and get as much as you can from the child before they completely shut down. Work quickly and let the child know that you know they are tired, hungry, or don’t like photos but if they do well they can get a prize. Here, allow the parents to say whichever prize they want to offer. This can sometimes get a few last smiles and give you enough photos.

In conclusion

Children under five years of age aren’t always easy going and willing to take portraits, however, using these tips can help get the most out of them before they burn out. Try and follow their lead and make sure that they have a fun time at the session. This will help them to feel more comfortable the next time they are in front of your camera.

The post How to Photograph Children Under Five with Little to No Meltdowns appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.

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New ‘EZ’ E-6 film developer announced under Edwal brand

03 Jan

On the back of the re-introduction of some Kodak Ektachrome films a U.S. photographic company has announced it will begin sales of its own slide developing kits under the Edwal brand. Edwal has been associated with photo chemistry for some time, and US photographic distributor OmegaBrandess owns the rights to the name and intends to produce E-6 chemistry kits aimed at making transparency development easier for the home user.

The Edwal kits will contain developer, color developer and a single bleach/fix solution, and will be available in 1-quart/946ml and 1-gallon/3.8l sizes. The company claims the chemicals offer users some degree of flexibility with development times and the temperature of the solutions without adverse effects on the film.

The 1-quart kit will cost $ 59.99 and the gallon kit will be $ 134.99. For more information see the OmegaBrandess website.

Press release

OmegaBrandess Press Release

As the owner of the well-known EDWAL brand of photo chemistry, OmegaBrandess is proud to introduce the EDWAL E-6 32 OUNCE AND 1 GALLON DEVELOPING KITS.

The overwhelming popularity of the recently announced Kodak Ektachrome film has spawned renewed interest in at-home and small batch film developing. To meet that demand OmegaBrandess Distribution is offering E-6 developing kits for the students and hobbyists out there to develop their own color slide film.

Now available at many photo retailers are a 1-quart and 1-gallon developing kit under our Edwal branding.

Each kit contains Developer, Color Stabilizer, and Blix- all the chemicals needed to process E-6 film. Easy-to-use liquid allows for variations in time and temperature! Also available at OmegaBrandess.com.

Pricing
The suggested retail price is $ 59.99 for the quart kit and $ 134.99 for the gallon kit.

About OmegaBrandess
OmegaBrandess has manufactured and distributed photographic and imaging products for over 75 years. A privately held company, OmegaBrandess supplies the photography industry with over ten thousand products from dozens of branded lines. For more information about OmegaBrandess and its represented brands, call 410-374-3250 or visit www.omegabrandess.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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