Better portraits tip #5: Bokeh!!

Tip #5 is all about bokeh - for art and getting rid of busy backgrounds.

Bokeh is not just a blurred background. Certain lenses can make bokeh into pretty cool shapes. By adding bokeh, you draw the attention to a very specific point in the picture.

What makes bokeh is the combination of three things.

1) a large aperature (small f-stop number, such as f/2).

2) a long focal length (a 200mm lens will give more bokeh than a 24mm lens)

3) increasing distance between subject and background.

Many lenses that have larger aperatures can get quite pricey, but there are some affordable lenses with large aperatures out there. For instance, Canon makes a nice little 50mm f/1.8 which is around $90. But, if you simply don't want another lens, work on the other two points...

Start by getting the aperature as large as possible while shooting in "aperature priority" mode (this may be around f/5.6 for many zoom lenses). Next, use a longer focal length. Finally, move your subject further forward from the background.

Mostly, have fun experimenting with creating bokeh!

Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

Shell hunting

Luke (and Sierra) having fun looking for shells at Lane's beach on Maui. And I had fun playing with my camera :)

Rossland 2010

Here are a few more from our trip to BC. still have a few more to go... Boy do we miss the snow. But good to be back on Maui!

Rossland, BC - part one.

People often ask me where folks who live in Hawaii go for vacation. Well for us, we head to British Columbia, Canada to go visit the snow and do some skiing. Here's part 1 of our first trip to BC with baby Sierra. She handled the snow like a champ. More to come as I get the pics processed. We're back on Maui now so send an email if you want to set up a family photo session or if you or someone you know is getting married!

Aloha, Kristin

Happy 6th birthday Luke!

My son, Luke, turned six a few weeks ago. A few days later, we all flew to British Columbia for our annual ski vacation, so I am a bit late posting these pictures from Luke's party. There was a lot of fun by all.

Happy 6th birthday big guy!!

Better portrait photography tip #4… play!

That’s right. Just have fun with the people you are photographing. If you are photographing a portrait for a client you have just met, spend some time getting to know them. If your portrait photography subjects are your friends, family, or your own children, then you already know them. Play some games, get their minds off of the fact that they are having their picture taken.

By having fun during your portrait session, you will get more natural looking photographs and everyone will have more fun!

Wishing everyone much fun during their portrait photography sessions.

Aloha, Kristin

Both the bride and groom in this Maui wedding were triathletes, so naturally we had a race.

Better portrait photography tip #3… Shoot wider and closer to your subject

I once read from another photographer that if you’re not happy with your portraits, you are using too long of a lens (telephoto) and you’re too far away from your subject.

While I do still use a telephoto lens for some portraits, I do agree with photographing portraits close up and with a wide angle lens.

Photographing close and wide does a couple things.
Psychologically, people feel more comfortable when you are near. They know what you are doing and can talk with you and have fun during their portrait session.

Photographing with a wider lens also allows you to include some environmental aspects to your portrait which helps tell your story.

So get out there and experiment with photographing your Maui portraits with a wider lens and close to your subject.

Aloha, Kristin