The County Fair | An Exploration In Photo Taking Choices
Last week we spent an evening at our county fair. We usually go for one night each year. I like going in the early evening when the light tends to be just right.
As I was looking back at my photos from the evening I was thinking that would be a good chance to talk a little about why I take the kind of photos I do - what stories do I think of, why do I shoot at a certain angle, what am I looking for, what I'm thinking about, etc.
Here are some of my fair photos along with some commentary:
CAPTURE REAL STUFF | We were walking towards the entrance to the fair and Simon and Anna kept getting father and farther ahead. Chris ended up running to catch up after Anna wouldn't stop (Simon was trying to help but his helping was just making it worse). I took about three shots of this little encounter - him talking to her and her listening but not really listening as two-year-olds are prone to do from time to time.
I like photos that showcase relationships - especially the real ways in which people interact everyday.
TURN AROUND | What's happening behind you as you walk ahead? In this case I turned around to see that Chris had picked up Anna. Again, relationships. She won't always be small enough to be carried.
MOMENTS OF DELIGHT | I do a lot of looking through my lens to capture delight. It's one of my favorite emotions and one of the things that I love to see most on Simon's face. He's the best at being delighted.
PERSPECTIVE | I love shots that demonstrate size perspective - this is especially cool with kids. How can you show that both when you are up close and farther away? Anna was just a bit too small for most of the rides but there were a couple where she was over the line.
She was pretty bummed about that - she has an awesome zest that makes her want to try anything and everything she comes across. You might also notice that for this shot I got down at her level vs. the shot above where I pointed the camera down on her. Each one has it's own feel.
Here's another one that showcases perspective. I like photos that show their difference in height. There's a whole story there about a seven-year age difference and the ways that brings them together.
GETTING ME IN THE SHOTS | I think it's important for me to see myself in my own life. Chris happened to be here on this adventure but I'm not afraid to ask a stranger or set up my self-timer to get shots that include me in the story. Another thing I like about this photo is that it really shows a lot of the scene via layers - the ferris wheel in the background, the water in front of the kids (the direction they are heading), me standing behind, the sun shining on me, people walking in the background, etc. It's busy, but that's what was happening at that point in time. We also took close up shots of the kids in the boat, but this one was more interesting to me in terms of telling the story because of the layers.
MOTION | I love shots that show motion. Bring on the blur. What sort of movement is happening that can be captured on film? For this shot I did some panning - moving the camera to follow the action. Some shots turn out and others don't. Loved this one. You can read more about panning here.
POINT OF VIEW | One of the things I think to myself as I'm shooting is how can I look at this differently? Where can I go and how can I move my body and what will the resulting image look like based on changing my own perspective. For this shot I was standing below them as they were waiting to go on the ferris wheel (not my favorite activity). I took quite a few as they made their way through the line - this was my favorite.
FRACTIONS | Yep, fractions. The most common one that comes to mind for me is 1/3 - also called the "rule of thirds" which you can read more about here. The photo above is more 1/2 - half the image is sky and the other half is an object. The first photo at the top of this post looks like 1/4. The ferris wheel takes up 1/4 of the image and the other 3/4 are sky. These two are great examples of positive and negative space - the sky being the negative space.
But my favorite thing? The photobooths of course. Check these out:
They each wanted to do them alone. I was worried Anna wouldn't be tall enough but it was just right. Love that red background.
OTHER PHOTOS | I love when I can add something like this into the story - an image that comes from a different source other than my regular camera. I think that's why I like the photobooths and the Instax so much too.
I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for sharing your thought process. I know I have asked you a few photo taking tips before - thanks! I am starting to 'like' my pictures as well - your pictures are an inspiration.
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I loved this post. Awesome, A. :)
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Love the photobooth pics! Anna's face on the second one is priceless!!! Simon is quite the character!!!
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Hi Ali,
I always love your photos, especially the way you crop or blow them up for your pages and use the negative space for captions or journaling. Thanks for your thoughts today!
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thanks for all the tips! Greatly appreciated! I am curious which lens you use. Thanks!
Hi Jenn - I use a 24-70.
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Thanks so much for the tips, Ali. Our school's Spring Fair is on in a couple of weeks, so this post has come at just the right time. I was going to take my point & shoot camera, but now I think I'll take the SLR with me :)
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Love! Anna has that photobooth down for 2 years old!
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Last week, I met a friend at the park for a play date. Our kids - 27 and 29 months - were innocently running together in the park. Then, they kept glancing back to make sure that the other was still running; therefore, neither of them was stopping and the road was fast-approaching as we (moms) were both yelling STOP, STOP! Eventually, they managed to get both of us moms chasing across the park after them and we did managed to catch them before they got to the street. THANK YOU SO MUCH for keeping it real... I am SO RELIEVED to hear that other two-year-olds do it, too! (And if it makes you feel any better, that "in-one-ear-out-the-other" talking/lack of listening is common for my 2-yr old, too!) BTW, love the pics!
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hi Ali,
Thanks for sharing great photos and stories and family time.
I try to take candid shots like that also I forget the emotion sometimes because I get caught in the subject. But love it and still take pics as I can get them. One day I will use the big girl camera!
blessing & hugs,
Sharon Dryjanski
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Thank you for this post Ali! It really helped me try to understand how come your pictures are so interesting. I'm always amazed at how wonderful your pictures look without too much effort. This truly inspires me to tool at things with a different perspective and make what I see more interesting especially for me who is just starting with photography. Thank you so much!
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Ali,
I just have to say how much Simon looks like Chris in the last photo of the photo booth strip. I can't get over it!
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Love this post, Ali! I find myself taking fewer pictures these days due to lack of inspiration. Your words will help me look at things in a new light and try to get the story from different angles.
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One is never too young for platform shoes ;-) especially if they'll get you on a ride...
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Hi Ali, my favorite was the one with you, the kids in the boat and the ferris wheel in the background. The water really gave it an amazing touch and the colorfulness of it all. I loved it. My favorite...
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Loved this post. Your photographic style is similar to what I enjoy capturing. It's so true about getting yourself into the photos. I think some of your posts have inspired me to set that timer and get myself into the images *with* my kids. Great photos of the fair! Your style and thought processes shared are a great learning tool and point of inspiration for people like me.
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Fantastic post today Ali. I love the photos you took and the perpective captured in each. You really gave us some good ideas. I will be more intentional with each photo I snap. They can capture a wonderful story. You have such a beautiful little family. :)
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Eloquently written, and beautifully photographed. These are two of our most favorite things... county fairs and photography, and you've captured the essence of both so well here.
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Ali, I absolutely adore the photo of Anna at the height marker signs. Do you mind if I pin them on pinterest to my photo inspiration board? I am hoping to create an image like this when we go to Disneyland in a few months, but with an almost two year old and a two month old I am afraid I'll forget!
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Loved your posts always full of inspiration and really makes me think... I was wondering do you use your SLR camera more or you IPhone or instax?
Thanks for sharing!
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Looks like everyone had a wonderful time :-) Oh, for the simple days of taking my child to the fair! **Sigh** Time flies! Have a great weekend!
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Thank you for doing this post. I love your style of photography and it's really interesting to hear your thoughts on why you take certain shots. It will definitely make me think more about the type and style of shots I will take in the future.
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Love your girl at "you must be this tall to ride" photos!
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Ali, this is an awesome post packed full of info and ideas. I loooooove that photo of Chris talking to Anna. The way she is holding her body and arms is so expressive and tells such a story in itself. You did an amazing job of capturing your family's experience at the county fair.
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This is a great way of mixing information and ideas! I love the first photo! It will definitely look great in any scrapbook layout! :)
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