Advice or tips please?

Aapoll · Oct 22, 2013

I know, I know... Don't eat yellow snow right?
that's a good piece of advice.

Anyways...this is kind of a two part question.
Halloween is coming up quick and since I love taking pictures, I have been nominated to take pictures of "the kids" again. These children include my 3 and my nephews. 7 kids in total, 4 aged 3 and under.

1. My youngest son (will be 2 in January) has decided that he is going to cry every time we put him down in a group to take a picture. I am getting tiered of the crying shots, especially when he's normally happy and goofy all the time. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make crying kid... Stop crying? I am thinking candy or a new toy might do the trick but I also need all the kids looking for once. I was also thinking bubbles but how do you get them to not run for the bubbles?

2. I will be shooting indoors. I have a flash I can attach to my camera and use that way, but unfortunately my remote trigger gave out so I can only use it as an on camera flash. Any tips for making this work? I will be shooting by a window but light will be minimal. Should I try and get my hands on a reflector of some sort? They don't have to be perfect but I would really like it to be decent.

ronlane · Oct 22, 2013

You can get a few 5-in-1 reflectors for not too much money. I got one with a stand, and extension arm for less than $100. (I use the stand for my OCF and have my VAL [voice activated lightstand] hold the reflector)

The_Traveler · Oct 22, 2013

Flu or divorce

Dao · Oct 22, 2013

For questions #1. If you have a small tablet or smartphone, mount the tablet or smartphone close to the camera with screen facing the kids and play a video that the kids love (esp your 2 yo). If there is a funny cartoon or some sort that can make them laugh.

CameraFu · Oct 23, 2013

Hello, I'm new to this forum,

For question #1 you can give the kid something he loves, like a toy. Or food, or even a cartoon like Dao said to make them laugh.

For question #2 yeah reflectors will work for indoor photos. Experiment at the place you will be taking photos before you go.

Ihatemymoney · Oct 26, 2013

Have you tried duct tape. Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver. Ok im bad.

You could borrow someone's puppy dog see if that catches his interest.

Ihatemymoney

DaveStephan · Oct 28, 2013

Hi Aapoll, I want to share a general indoor flash photography tip with you. Hope it'll help you -

hirejn · Oct 28, 2013

1. Kids are just tough to control. Trying to pose them in a meaningful way quickly becomes a circus with just one. When you get one right, the other three are doing something else. Depending on the age, they simply have no idea what's happening. They don't know what a camera is or why it's important to look at it. They don't know what you're saying or doing or why. Sometimes, you just have to let them be kids and get whatever photo shows them doing that. If you have one at a time, it becomes easier to get a desired pose.

2. Your flash may still work as a remote if your camera has a built in commander. If it has a built in pop-up, chances are you can use that as a commander through the menu system. Make sure the IR eye on the remote flash can see the pop-up. Set the remote flash to remote. The instructions vary per brand and model. I also recommend, for simplicity, a strong diffuser like the Gary Fong Lightsphere to make the light soft. A reflector can still help. As the group gets bigger, you want to move the light closer to the center or you'll have a distinct falloff across the group.