Looking to capture memories on your digital camera? NickJr.com asked Jane Hanstein Cunniffe, a New York-based photographer and the mother of two preschoolers, for her solutions to parents' most common digital-picture problems. Here's what she had to say--along with her own family photos.
1. How do I get good pictures in bad light?
In low light you have to keep the camera very still. If you don't have a tripod, try resting the camera on a table or resting your elbows on a table like a tripod.
For indoor shots: the more light the better. So lead your subject over to the nearest window.
For outdoor shots: the best light is at dawn or dusk. But watch out for high noon, when the bright light can lead to squinting.
2. Can't I just use the flash all the time, or fix the lighting later?
It's always easier to take a good shot than to try and fix a bad shot later.
Using a flash will rarely give you a truly great photograph; a flash tends to even out the shadows and depth that make an image really pop.
If you use your flash in a low-light situation, be sure the "red-eye reduction" setting is on before snapping a shot.
As a general rule, remember: the more natural light, the better the photo.
3. My pictures all seem to look the same. Any suggestions?
Let the setting or the situation tell a story. This one's called "The Party's Over."
Stage shots with just your child interacting with a single prop, such as a favorite toy. It's fun for your subjects and can lead to a memorable shot.
Choose a theme. For example, take a picture of each member of the family holding his or her favorite stuffed animal or each person holding the new baby.
Experiment. Take a shot, and then try zooming in a bit before taking the next shot. Then take a third shot framed differently and compare the three. Because you're not paying to develop prints, you can experiment and find out exactly what works.
4. What if my preschooler is too cranky to pose?
Let him be. The truth is, you can't force a genuine smile.
Horse around and amuse him.
Take the shot anyway. Some of my favorite pictures are of a pouting tot.
Try a bribe. (As a parent, this might be inappropriate, but for a photographer, the mere mention of a cookie can sometimes insure a better shot.)
Remember, it's only a picture.
5. My child looks great, but something else in the photo ruins it. Any suggestions?
Don't pack too much into the picture. You don't need to show the tree to convey that it's Christmas.
Try filling the entire frame with your subject, like the photo at the top of this page.
Eliminate the clutter and keep kids' clothes simple.
After the fact, cropping out something distracting can help save a shot.
Pay attention to everything in the viewfinder. If you see a messy tangle of birthday wrapping paper, it will show up in your picture.
Jane Hanstein Cunniffe is a writer, photographer, mother of two boys, and founder of smilinggoat.com. Two of her photos of 9/11 appear in the book Here Is New York, and her note cards "The World According to Henry" can be found in museum shops around the world.
