3 Month Baby Portraits

I am putting the finishing touches on a series of how to and behind-the-scenes posts about baby and newborn photography. Just thought I'd share some of my favorite images from a recent shoot with this adorable little 3 month old.

What questions do you have about baby and newborn photography? Ask away in the comments section, and I will make sure to address as many questions as possible in upcoming posts!

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Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is now available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.

Top 10 Photography Ideas

Today's Top Post is double-your-money with a Top 10 of Most-Viewed Photography Ideas Posts. Previous top posts have  covered camera settings, aperture, exposure, phone photography, DIY photography hacks, composition, lenses and accessories, and macro photography.

Top 10 Photography Ideas

• Puddle Reflection Photography. This top-viewed post shares a simple trick for creating amazing photographs using a simple puddle. You will never look at even tiny puddles the same way again after seeing the 'behind the scenes' versions of these incredible images.

• 5 Easy Tips for Sunrise and Sunset Photographs. Everyone loves a great sunrise or sunset. This post lays out five simple tips to turn any sunrise or sunset opportunity into an incredible photograph.

• All about Bokeh. Bokeh or out-of-focus background lights is a highly coveted photography technique. This post explains exactly how to capture bokeh shots using natural light and everyday situations.

• 5 Must Read Articles on Food Photography. This compilation post will keep your mouth watering with fantastic ideas for how to capture amazing food photographs.

• Shoot the Moon with the Photographers' Ephemeris. Capture a perfect full moon. This post explains exactly how to use the Photographers' Ephemeris to plan out exactly the shot you want.

• Quick Tips for Better Fireworks Photographs. Make the most of any fireworks display with these quick and easy tips.

• Yes, Go Chasing Waterfalls. Waterfalls are an incredibly fun photography subject. Find out how to capture incredible "silky" waterfall shots with this advice.

• How to Photograph Frozen Bubbles. Ready to make the most of winter? Get your bubble wands out and have fun freezing and photographing bubbles.

• Shoot a Successful Self-Portrait. Forget humdrum, everyday selfies! Use these tips and inspiration ideas to capture incredible self-portraits.

• Fun with Fizzy Fruit Photography. Looking for a creative, indoor photography idea? Minimal and inexpensive supplies are all you need to capture fresh, bubbly, and bright fruit photographs.

Want more great ideas? Follow Boost Your Photography on Pinterest: Boost Your Photography

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Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is now available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.

Quick Tips for Better Fireworks Photographs

Fireworks are a fascinating photography subject, and these quick tips are designed to get you out there enjoying the show and capturing some incredible photographs while you are at it!

Fireworks: Know Before You Go

• Bring a tripod and know how to use it. A tripod is indispensable for firework photography, as you need a nice long shutter speed (2-10 seconds is a good place to start). Be sure you know how to Maximize Your Tripod too to get a nice steady shot with maximum effect. 

No tripod? Intentional Camera Movement with fireworks can be a lot of fun. (2.5 second shot)

• Use a remote shutter release. A remote shutter release is an inexpensive photography upgrade (click to read more) that allows you to trigger your camera without touching it. A remote release will let you take a series of shots quickly without moving or bumping the camera and allows you to more subtly time your shots for the peak of the explosions and lights.

• Consider a black piece of cardstock. This is a piece of photography advice that I have seen around quite a lot but not used myself. The idea is that you use a very long shutter speed (say 15-30 seconds or longer). During that exposure, you cover your lens with the piece of black cardstock (heavier paper) when there are not many fireworks and uncover it for each blast. This allows you to capture multiple different explosions over a longer period of time. (Covering the lens in between limits the potential for overexposure of the background during that time.)

Fireworks: When You Arrive

• Scout your location. If you haven't had the chance beforehand, definitely spend a little time to scout out your location. Arrive early to have a chance of finding an ideal, unobstructed view. Pay attention to potential wind direction, if any. Being downwind of the fireworks means that all of the smoke is going to blow your way and quickly start obscuring the view. If you can find a location facing west, rather than east, you are guaranteed a darker sky if fireworks start earlier in the evening.

• Water is ideal. Fireworks over water are always better, period. Reflections in water means double the explosions, double the lights, and double the photography potential. (Really want to take this advice to heart? Photograph from a boat. The shot above was taken from a canoe, and while it throw the whole 'tripod' advice out the window, it still made for some fabulous shots.)

I like how the silhouettes of the bike and tree added to this shot.

• Pay attention to your foreground. If you can't find a great spot with water, think about what other potential foreground interest you can find. Big city fireworks shows offer great opportunities to capture fireworks in relationship to the city skyline or reflected in a tall skyscraper. Also, think about all your fellow fireworks watchers and photographers. You can get some memorable shots including some of them in the frame too.

• Be sure that you are set up and ready to go before the show begins. Consider setting your tripod up lower than its maximum height. (This allows you to shoot and adjust your camera while sitting. Don't be that guy who stands up and blocks everyone else's view during the show.)

Fireworks: During the Show

• Settings-wise, fireworks are a bit of "guess and check" work, and you definitely need to adjust as the show goes on, especially as an over-enthusiastic and bright finale will likely blow out into a white mass of undifferentiated light. 

• Point-and-Shoots: if you have a point-and-shoot camera, check if it has a built-in "fireworks" mode. If so, use it. If not, try the long shutter mode and set a shutter speed or a shutter or two. Try longer shutter speeds if your images are too dark.

• DSLRs: keep you ISO at 100 for sharp shots, and start with a shutter speed around a second or two and a wide open aperture. If your photo is too bright, use a middle-range aperture like f/8 or f/11 (especially if you want foreground details in focus). 

ISO 100, f/10, 10 seconds.
The mid-range aperture (f/10) would have allowed for my foreground to stay in focus,
but the people were moving during the exposure.

• Focusing can be tricky. Your best bet is to use manual focus. That way, your camera will not waste time hunting around for something to focus on in the dark and will simply take pictures right when you want them. (If manual focus is not your thing, pick something out at a distance and focus on it with your camera. Then switch your lens into manual focus mode, and it will remain focused at that same distance.)

• As the show goes on, you want to keep an eye on how your shots are turning out. If they are too bright, consider using a shorter shutter speed or using a more narrow aperture. If they are too dark, consider using a longer shutter speed or using a more wide open aperture. (For more on aperture, read our aperture series which starts with Aperture and the F/Stop Conundrum. For more on shutter speed, start with the Shutter Speed Overview and then the Shutter Speed Guidelines.)

Photographing Fireworks: Summary

Fireworks can be a very tricky but also very rewarding subject to photograph. Long shutter speeds let you capture the entire process of a long and beautiful explosion of lights and colors, and each one is different and unique. Have fun with it!

Sparklers and personal fireworks can be quite a bit of fun to photograph as well (where legal, of course)

A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography

2013:

• Light Painting: How to Spin an Orb. This article walks you step-by-step through the process of spinning and creating orbs with light painting. All you need is a bright LED light, a tripod for your camera, and a little bit of practice. You'll be surprised at how easy these are to do!

• Travel Photography Must Haves. Don't leave for your next summer trip without making sure you have all the travel photography supplies you need! This quick article will get you started with all the basics for bringing back home amazing travel photographs.

• Be a Local Tourist: Photograph a Farmers' Market. Photography opportunities are all around you. Take a trip to your local Farmers' Market to discover a wealth of photographic options. Practice your street or travel photography, zoom in on some curious details, or just wait for inspiration to strike!

• Remember the Background and Move Your Feet. This article focuses on an oft-forgot point of composition: the background. Rather than getting sucked into your subject, take the time to pay attention to the background and see how moving your motion or perspective can make an immediate impact.

Don't Miss a Single Post from Boost Your Photography

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Spring Roundup

Welcome to the Spring Round Up. This is a chance to look back at the posts from the last three months and catch up on any posts you might have missed.  You can also check out the previous round ups for Spring 2013, Summer 2013, Fall 2013, and Winter 2013-2014.

Consider joining in the Boost Your Photography: 52 Weeks Challenge! Our focus for May was on photography basics. In June we will be looking at different composition techniques. Join the Google+ Community to share your weekly photographs and receive feedback.

For Beginners

This is a collection of posts geared towards beginners or those who want to learn to do more with their camera. Many of the 'Tips and Tricks' and 'Inspired Ideas' posts will also be applicable. You can find other posts geared toward Beginners here or in the tab up top.

Shutter Speed: an overview	Teaching Kids Photography	What the ... White Balance?
BYP 52 Weeks Challenge	Focus on Focus	Deciding Just Where to Focus: Focus Points
Explaining Exposure and Exposure Compensation	Shutter Speed Guidelines	Creative Ideas Using Shutter Speed

Tips and Tricks

Advice for getting the most out of your camera and your photography. You can find more Tips and Tricks posts here or in the tab up top.

Tips to Improve Your Macro Photography	Product Review: Close-Up Lenses	Macro Fakery: Background Creation
Product Review: Light Tent Kit	Focus Stacking for Macro Photography	Tell a Story with Easter Photographs
5 Food Photography Articles	GorillaPod Tripod Review	Photographing Architecture Watch Your Lines
Top Tips for Camera Memory and Storage	GorillaPod Tripod Review

Inspired Ideas

This is a collection of posts containing ideas, both those that you can implement immediately and those that require a little more time, effort, and potential planning. You can find more Inspired Ideas here or in the tab up top.

Make the Shot: Water on CDs	Make the Shot: Droplet Refraction	Master the Heart-Shaped Shadow
Capture a Day in a Single Image	Better Before/ After Photographs	Flipped Reflections

Guest Posts

During the winter, I became a regular contributor to Digital Photography School. These are my posts that were published over on their site in the last few months.

How to Use a Light Tent for Product Photography

Light Tent Comparison: DIY vs. Kit

Travel Photography without the Travel

Stay Connected

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