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Original poster

Advice on taking a nice pic of my kids for a pressie..please

24 replies

nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:23

Have decided to give one of my relatives a framed pic of my kids for xmas. Wouldn't normally do this but last time I spoke to her she did mention that she hadn't got a pic of them together.

Anyway, I do have a digital camera although it's a bit crap, but just wondered how I could make the pic really nice, anything other than sitting them all in a row really.

TIA

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foxtrottothefestivegrotto · 05/12/2006 14:27

I have got nice pics of my 3 sitting on the stairs, the angle seems to work somehow.

JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:29

Try to get a fairly plain background, and make sure they haven't got lamps or plants 'growing' out of the tops of their heads. Take loads of shots, and choose the best - don't assume you'll get it in one or two shots. Maybe have some props for them to play with (something Christmassy?) - seems to work for places like Venture.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:30

Oh that would be nice, if it weren't for the fact that my stairs are awful, no carpet and walls that need decorating LOL.

So far all I have thought of is them all sitting leaning on table with their chins in their hands iykwim ??

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Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:31

Think i should put new batteries in the camera lol.

Will take loads and perhpas put the best on here for some opinions later.

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wrappingpaperBOwZZAndribbons · 05/12/2006 14:32

I would be tempted to do it outside if poss. We did one a couple of weeks ago. Waited for a nice sunny day and it did it about 11 am to get max light. Made sure the garden was tidy and got them to sit on a low wall (about 1 foot) with some evergreen bushes behind. Took a few. It gets exponentially harder to get a good photo for every extra child that is in the shot I'm afraid.

JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:32

Hub2dee's very good at this sort of thing - you need his advice.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:33

Ah never thought of doing it outside, although garden is a mess so that might not work....will try it though.

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JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:35

Could be the park, if you can't find anywhere in the garden. Climbing frame?

saintmaybe · 05/12/2006 14:35

Dp got one put onto canvas stretched on wooden frame at local photo shop and it turned quite ordinary beach pic into something really lovely.

Tortington · 05/12/2006 14:36

i would get cheapo camera with 35mm film - beg borrow steal one

then buy black and white film - boots should sell.

makes picture muchio more fabio.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:37

OOoh yeah park, good idea.

I take loads of pipcs and you'd think I might already have a good one hidden but apparently not lol.

I do have a huge white sheet that I can use as a background if i need to aswell...or is that naff ?

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JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:37

I'm suddenly seeing bits of the Sound of Music, where the children and Maria are all copying the statues .

aDadOnTheXmasSherry · 05/12/2006 14:37

Agree, take plenty of shots (that's the beauty of digital), plenty of angles, late afternoon winter light is lovely whether coming in through the window or if you are outside.

Make your kids laugh. Tell one to tickle the others or something. Natural rather than posed smiles are so much better.

Hub2Dee probably will have some great advice. And if he comes along - I haven't forgotten about you hub! (I might be buying his camera)

JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:38

YOu can always print colour pictures in black and white, though, too. Doesn't always work as well as taking them in b/w in the first place, but can be effective.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:38

Never thought of that Custy, might be a better idea too as my camera isn't that great.

I think my mum has one I could use, actually I did have one, will look for it.

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Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 14:40

I could get them to lie on the leaves in the garden, there is enough of them.....hmmmmmm.

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yULeYSEES · 05/12/2006 14:42

I agree wth natural shot, close in and it's nice if they're giggling and looking at one another. Posed are not good IMO. If you can borrow an old cannon or similar and focus in on them with blurred background that's nice. Also if they're wearing a colour that suits them helps. My dss look great in red, well all colours but particularly red.

JackieNoHoHo · 05/12/2006 14:42

Maybe try to dress them in 'coordinating' colours if possible? So you see them rather than the clothes, iyswim. Appreciate it's not necessarily an easy thing to do. If on lovely coloured leaves, try some in colour as well as b/w.

yULeYSEES · 05/12/2006 14:43

like the lying in the leaves idea. Take a few and some of them laughing. One of the best pics of my two are them lying on a huge black and white cushion on the floor.

Tortington · 05/12/2006 14:44

i also think that posed pictures look wanky. much better to get them all to go to park and start throwing leaves at each other or something.

Tortington · 05/12/2006 14:45

or when they are asleep. if you can get them to fall asleep close together that is.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/12/2006 16:08

LOL Custy, I'd have to drug them for the last idea...hmm actually

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paulaplumpbottom · 05/12/2006 16:43

I think pictures taken on Black & White film look timeless.

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2006 17:08

i want to do this too, havent got any really nice pics of my kids in nice dresses. im going to have a bash at it on sat morning when they have just been washed and dressed

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