Tag Archives: Portraits

Candy Sticks Product Review

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I just started testing out these Candy Sticks floors from Background Outlet.  So far, I’m impressed.  I think they look pretty realistic.  The shots below were taken in my garage and the wall and the floor is fake.

Candy Sticks are just 5×7 prints on plastic sheets that you can stick to walls or use as floors.  The wall in these shots is actually grey seamless paper and to finish off the effect I added a white molding from Lowes to hide the seam between the seamless paper and the fake hardwood floor.

The model in my test shot is my daughter Ava and she is 7 years old.  I think she has been watching too much America’s Next Top Model because the girl can pose and I didn’t give her any suggestions.  Somebody call Tyra because this little girl can “booty tooch” and “smize”.

Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor Ava Posing on Hardwood Floor

15 Tips for Taking Better People Pictures.

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1.   Tidy up the subject’s hair without overdoing it.
2.   Have you subject stand tall or sit – slumping is a negative.
3.   Turn the torso at a slight angle to the camera so your   subject becomes a slimmer, more flattering photo.
4.   A slight tilt of the head can be pleasing as it softens the skin tones.
5.   Be especially careful of hand placement. When in doubt leave them out of the frame! Take particular care NOT to cut off a limb at the joints!!
6.   Avoid one of the most unflattering areas – the armpit!
7.   Generally, the eyes should be in the upper thirds of your frame.
8.   If your subject is a child, get down to their level. Never shoot down on them!
9.   If a catch light is involved, try to have it fall at either 11:00 or 1:00, if possible.
10.If your subject is wearing glasses, a slight tilt may reduce their reflections.
11. If your subject has prominent ears, have him or her turn until the far ear disappears.
12. Leave more room in the frame toward the front of your subject rather than the back.
13. Working with children, bring along a few toys – great props!
14. Try to shoot your subject at eye level.
15. Since the eyes are the focal points of any picture, focus on them.

Also don’t forget to register for my upcoming workshop on Photographing  Children.