Handy Tips On How To Get The Best Out Of At Home Photography by Justine Curran
Justine Curran is an Australian photographer known for her authentic images that stir a sense of childhood nostalgia. Her work will blow you away and she’s captured so many incredible children, family and birth photos that are beyond phenomanal. It’s no surprise she has been endorsed by Canon as one of the Top Female Photographers to follow in Australia. Justine took some time out to share a little inside info on capturing your littlies and how to get the best out of your camera for at-home-photography. She also kindly shared a hallery of images with us that are simply, WOW.
What does it take to create a great photo? It’s always the magic answer any enthusiast photographer seems to be looking for, and quite honestly the answer is never straight forward.
There are many factors that go into making a great photo and on top of that, it’s subjective from person to person. The common thing I hear when it comes to asking how to photograph kids, is the one thing people want to avoid, and that is awkward cheesy grins. How your subject is photographed has a lot to do with what your relationship is with it. So your photographs will portray how you are engaging with it. Just as a photographer observing wild wolves would want to photograph them conducting in their natural behaviour, not capturing wolves scared or aware of man. It is a similar approach to how I feel about people. It does not feel natural if you cannot capture natural display of behaviour.
It is important for the people you are photographing to have a focal point whether they are engaging with someone or something. Working with families I think it is so important to capture happy memories. Whatever that may be, it could be jumping off the jetty during the summer. Together, over a meal. The stillness of a child napping. It’s those moments that mean most, to both parent and child.
Keeping a camera around has granted me great photo opportunities too and has been so rewarding. Kids are always doing funny ridiculous things and some things just cannot be recreated. If it means something, take a photo, just try not to interrupt the moment and let it flow naturally. Nothing wrong with a blurry action shot either, and if you don’t get it, let it go. Do not ruin the moment over something already passed, it’s one way to develop a negative attitude towards having a camera around.
Ever been confused by all those buttons on the back of a camera? Light can mean the difference from good to bad and it helps having a basic idea of what to look out for, but this does come more intuitively as you practice. Highlights and shadows can affect the colour, depth and contrast to an image. Blow out is when there is so much light you get areas of white light. You lose information and have distractions in an image if you have highlights blow out or over powering shadows. It is important to know how to control this no matter what device you are using to avoid this ruining a good photo. ISO, F Stop and shutter speed (the exposure triangle) are ways to control how much light is being used to take a photo. If you really want to learn how to take a good portrait, it's best to start there.
Editing software has made it crazy easy to take your images to the next level. It can be pretty daunting learning to use these programs, however, it is just another extension in manipulating light to enhance the effects of colour, contrast and clarity in the areas that need it. Professionals who have spent years mastering these skills now sell presets/filters that change the settings for you without having to learn how. Easiest way to learn is by practicing using presets!
Lastly, composition and context are crucial into creating a photo because this is constructing the narrative. What, Where and How you decide to take a photo will seriously affect the way the story is framed. I love a traditional family portrait; it can make such a statement about who you are or what you are doing. Consider the narrative and where your subjects are placed. Is it family members in front of the family home? Or a couple of friends meeting at their favourite spot? Lastly do not forget to make sure your horizon line is straight when clicking the shutter.
It's not expected to master these skills overnight, but they do become more intuitive as time goes on. One analogy I like to use is it's kind of like driving a car. It can be overwhelming at first not knowing what or how to work all the functions to get from A - B, but before you know it, it becomes instinctive.
Justine Curran is a family-orientated, emotive and feminist photographer who strives to provide unique portrait collections for parents with a purpose; to connect families in a moment of gratitude, and capture the connection of their loved ones during their golden years. Helping families to create a space that enhances the parent/child bond through visual narratives. You can view Justine's beautiful work over at justinecurran.com.au and follow her on Instagram @justinecurran_photography and Facebook @justinecurranphotography.