I was looking through some old Easter photos and couldn’t help but notice that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I find it fascinating that the photos I chose to keep are so similar in composition and pose, and focus on the same aspects of their personalities.
Tristan, age 7 and age 14:
Simon, age 5 and age 12:
Lucas, age 3 and age 8:
Well, at least one thing has changed: my mad photo skillz are clearly improved!
Serious questions (not snarky): What are the elements of the new photos that stand out as areas of your improvement? I haven’t trained my eye, so they look pretty much equally gorgeous, but I was noticing yesterday that my own photo abilities are subpar and idly wondering what to work on.
I know, you’re not a photography teacher and I should hie myself to a tutorial class, but I was curious….
Hey Jody, I love questions like this. Teaching is a great way to learn, and I’m always happy for any chance to talk photos!
It’s mostly about the colour. Can you see how young Simon looks blue, especially in the skin and whites of his eyes? Incorrect white balance. And for Lucas, I was in love with actions and filters at that time, so his skin tones are — hmm, I think it’s too green-yellow? Compare the skin in his photo to the newer one. I think it would have been better before I started enhancing it.
When you’re looking to improve your own photos, start by thinking about the light. Where is it coming from, what’s it doing, how can you use it better. Then think about the story you want to tell, and work on making everything in the photo help tell that story. Remove extraneous elements by changing your perspective, and use leading lines and framing to help show the viewer what the focal point is. Those two things alone make a HUGE difference. Be deliberate and really LOOK before you snap. (It’s easier now that the kids are not toddlers!)
Looks like the Easter crafts are pretty similar too!