People and Animals: Shooting Secrets

When photographing strangers or friends, family members or pets, the main thing is to convey the emotions, personality, character of the subject. This gallery offers some expert tips to help you get the results you want from your shoot.

(Total 13 photos)

Tip 1. The most comfortable, relaxed situation is when shooting well-known people. At the same time, it is very important to know the capabilities of your photographic equipment in order to apply it quickly and without hesitation.

1. Sisters, Santa Barbara. Photographer: Kathryn Cairnow, National Geographic. A woman photographs her sister at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California.

Tip 2. A good portrait will reveal the personality and physical features of a person. The main tone is set by the expression of the eyes, whether it is fun, seriousness or sadness.

2. Girl, Venezuela. Photographer: Anna Viloria, National Geographic Reader. This photo is a close-up of a girl from a fishing village near Lake Maracaibo.

Tip 3. When photographing groups of people, take a few shots and then choose one where none of the participants in the photo shoot has their eyes closed.

3. Women, Shanghai. Photographer: Justin Guarilla, National Geographic. A group of women in Shanghai's Taikang Road.

Tip 4: Think about the relationships between your subjects and try to capture those relationships in your photos.

4. Father and daughter. Photographer: Ursula Kažmarek, National Geographic Reader. Father and daughter bathe in the river in summer.

Tip 5. When photographing babies, do not be afraid to experiment and focus on various details - hair, arm, leg, and so on. In other circumstances, this might seem over the top, but when photographing babies, it fills the frame with love and charm.

5. Mom and baby. Photographer: Paul Damien, National Geographic. The picture shows a mother lulling her three-month-old daughter to sleep.

Tip 6. Sleeping children are a symbol of everything sublime and sincere, real and eternal. In order to better convey emotions, choose an interesting angle and background.

6. Sleeping child. Photographer: Sam Abell, National Geographic. A small child sleeps on the sofa.

Tip 7. Look for the moment that best conveys the activity and reaction of children. For example, on a roller coaster, it is a mixture of fear and joy, and a goal scored in a stadium is characterized by rage combined with triumph. Thus, the main thing when photographing children is to show their actions and emotions.

7. Children at play, Philippines. Photographer: Joanne Courant Escober, National Geographic Reader. Children play luksong kabayo, a traditional game in the Philippines. The picture was taken in the city of Montalban in the Philippine province of Rizal.

Tip 8. Animals are ideal models for both spontaneous photos and staged portraits. To shoot, simply select the background, stand closer and position yourself lower.

8. Dog, Yosemite National Park. Photographer: Amornrat Tongcheng, National Geographic Reader. The picture was taken in Yosemite National Park, California. The dog enjoys the gusts of wind.

Tip 9. Wild animals - such as birds, squirrels - can sometimes be found even in the yard of your house. Prepare your equipment, set the telephoto lens in a good position and wait for the "guests".

9. Family of nutrias, France. Photographer: Edward Puginer, National Geographic Reader. French Landes; nutria in the pond.

Tip 10: If the animal you are shooting is too bright and fills up most of the frame, the photo will be underexposed; The opposite effect will also be when shooting a too dark animal. Therefore, take something neutral gray as a starting point.

10. Domestic cat, Ontario. Photographer: Douglas M. Payne, National Geographic Reader.

Tip 11. The best way to take a street photo is to wander around the neighborhood; even, perhaps, get lost and be ready for contact with people. The most difficult aspect of this shoot is overcoming your own shyness in front of strangers. Be friendly, ask permission to take photos of people, and most of them will gladly agree.

11. Woman with a dog, Bologna. Photographer: Wojtek Urbanek, National Geographic Reader. The woman is holding her dog. Photo taken in Bologna, Italy.

Tip 12. The portrait genre implies not just the image or character of a person, but also shows his occupation, hobby or profession. Learn how to convey details with unusual details, whether it's a teenage girl's prom shoes, a pianist's hand, or a runner's foot. Generalization can be the best illustration of individuality.

12. Horn, Monaco. Photographer: Jody Cobb, National Geographic. The brass horn reflects part of the Fête Dieu procession, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ in Monaco.

Tip 13: When shooting street portraits, study the area by making mental notes about what clothes the subjects of your photograph wear, what things they use: all elements are an important part of their lives.

13. Country singer, Nashville. Photographer: Will Van Overbeek, National Geographic. Country music artist Sean Conway outside the Layla bar in Nashville, Tennessee.