February 23, 2012

I had the priveledge of photographing my youngest brother yesterday. He is in a mixed martial arts class (kyuki-do, for those of you who are familiar with that sort of thing), and my mom wanted some action shots. We went to the lake just as the sun was getting lower on the horizon, to ensure some excellent silhouettes. Personally, I think martial arts shots look awesome in silhouettes. The shots really show the form clearly. Also, I wanted to give my little bro some really cool, menacing shots. I thought of the original Karate Kid movie, where Daniel was at the beach, practicing his form- that's where I got the inspiration for J's shoot. Here are a few practical tips for capturing kids in active shots:

1) (This is #1 for a reason!) Don't overwork them. They will get tired, hot, and grumpy if they feel like it's taking too long. Allow time for water and breaks. Let them stop and have a few minutes of fun in between shooting segments. They will have a better attitude if they feel like they're playing instead of working.

2) Get the right light. Late in the day is my favorite time. Mid-morning is good, too. The sun won't be directly on top of them, causing shadows under their eyes. It will probably be a bit cooler, also, which is better for a child doing a vigorous activity. Choose a time of day when you know your subject will be most cooperative.

3) I'm no pro, and I was in a hurry, so I used my auto setting (GASP!). This worked great since we were outside and had great lighting... this time. I know some of you would cringe at the thought of using the auto setting, so forgive me. We had 30 minutes to shoot before leaving for his kyuki-do class, and 2 other kiddos running around. I suggest getting there early enough to test your lighting, and to adjust your aperture and shutter speed values before starting. Remember that with kids, you will often get started later than expected ("I can't find my shoes!" or "I have to use the bathroom!" often delay photo shoots). Be prepared for that. Enlist the help of another adult if you can. My mom was great and watched my kids for me while J & I were working.

4) Encourage your subject. "That was cool!" or "That pic is gonna be awesome!" or "Hey, do that kick again- that was sweet!" go a long way. Let them see the pics in the viewfinder. It will often give them inspiration for another pose they'd like to try.

5) Comunicate. Tell jokes. Talk to your subject. Let them choose. I asked J to demonstrate a kick before I took a pic. This helped me time my shot just right. I told hm a joke, which got a great smile. I let him pick most of the poses, simply guiding him to adjust a few things here & there ("Great! I love the way you're standing there. Could you move your hand a little further to the left? Awesome!") But my best shots were taken when he was simply practicing his form. I'd say, "Practice sparring to the left!" or "Show me your favorite kick!" and he'd just go with it- it was amazing.

6) When planning shots and photoshopping, consider the subject's personality. J loves shows like Dragon Ball Z, Power Rangers, etc. I tried to follow that theme, because I knew it would be a hit with J. Also consider the parents' wishes (if you're not the parent). My mom wanted pics of his form, but also of his face. I didn't include them all here, but I did get some good personality shots.

So, without further adieu, here ya go: