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09/10/2005 02:39:23 PM · #1 |
How do other people get natural smiles and expressions out of children.
My two girls drive me crazy as whenever they see a camera they put on these horrible fake smiles.They also tip their head to the side. I find the obligatory say cheese just doesn't cut it anymore. Suggestions? |
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09/10/2005 02:41:11 PM · #2 |
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09/10/2005 02:47:44 PM · #3 |
| Lookin to take photos for colour portrait challenge this morning so I need them to "pose" for me so I can get as many shots as I can. I agree shooting candid is best and thats normally what I do. Blend into the background and shoot!!! |
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09/10/2005 02:50:18 PM · #4 |
| That is a hard one. There are many times I wish I had the remote for my camera. I think I could get some more natural expressions that way. How old are the children? I know one of the ways I've seen the "pros" do it is by blowing bubbles or something like that. My sister gave my great nephew a "bubble gun" at a party last week and I was thinking I need to get one of those! |
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09/10/2005 02:51:40 PM · #5 |
| 5 and 8 I've seen good tricks for babies like holding up toys that interest them and make funny noises. But I dont think my girls would fall for that!!! |
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09/10/2005 03:00:11 PM · #6 |
If the camera's on a tripod, and if you use the self-timer, you can peer studiously through the viewfinder, press the button, then straighten up and talk to them. They think the picture's already taken, so they relax and get caught unawares. It's kind of scattershot on the resultant expressions, but at least it's not posed.
Robt.
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09/10/2005 03:02:20 PM · #7 |
| Thats a great idea Bear and I'll remeber that when I get a tripod!!! :) But.... I suppose I could set the camera on a stack of books ...hmmm... |
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09/10/2005 03:03:19 PM · #8 |
Sometimes with kids I will tell them to make a very serious face, then a very angry face. My reaction to their angry face cracks them up every time. Be quick on the trigger and you'll capture their joy.
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09/10/2005 03:04:59 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by joynim:
How do other people get natural smiles and expressions out of children.
My two girls drive me crazy as whenever they see a camera they put on these horrible fake smiles.They also tip their head to the side. I find the obligatory say cheese just doesn't cut it anymore. Suggestions?
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My daughter does the same thing. And that is the one thing that I struggle with. I found the best way so far is to just continue taking pictures and talking with her. Let her do some of those fake ones and between those shots be ready for the real ones. While she thinks that the "posed" shots are the real ones, I'm snapping others as we talk and joke between poses. Sort of candid shots between posed ones. |
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09/10/2005 03:27:14 PM · #10 |
Always fire at least 2 shots in a very short period of time. If they are posing for the camera, once they hear the first click, they will become relaxed and the tension will disappear. That's when you see the real person. If they have something to smile about, you will see the genuine smile.
Otherwise, like Digital Quixote suggested, don't let them know at all and observe them and find the candid moment.
edit: usual typos!
Message edited by author 2005-09-10 15:27:58. |
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09/10/2005 04:17:56 PM · #11 |
| I always have my kids say silly things to get them to smile. I will have them start by saying cheese.... then move to pickles, underpants, etc etc. I always get such natural smiles out of them. Also, have them say "Keys". You will get a more natural smile than saying cheese. I also get my daughter (who is 3) to say "Today I'm happy!", and that usually gets nice smiles too! :) |
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09/10/2005 04:22:43 PM · #12 |
I have 8 grandchildren, if I want a smiley shot I get them to pose like statues and tell them not to smile. Then I go into one, saying don't smile, stop it! That usually gets one going, so I tell him to stop, that makes them all start. It's kids...you tell them one thing, they do the opposite.
Steve |
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09/10/2005 05:54:46 PM · #13 |
I dont have that problem to much..When I do though like for portrait settings, I like to use the tripod set the timer, play with them...make them forget about the camera that is going to fire off a snap...
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09/10/2005 05:57:30 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by nsoroma79:
I always have my kids say silly things to get them to smile. I will have them start by saying cheese.... then move to pickles, underpants, etc etc. I always get such natural smiles out of them. Also, have them say "Keys". You will get a more natural smile than saying cheese. I also get my daughter (who is 3) to say "Today I'm happy!", and that usually gets nice smiles too! :) |
Those are great words..
How about "Money or Monkey."
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09/10/2005 06:22:38 PM · #15 |
| I usually ask them to smile and have the camera set to "burst mode" start taking pictures from the point before I ask them to about 5 sec after I ask them. that ends up being a ton of pictures but I always get a good one. |
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