Christmas Morning Setup Recommendations / Tips

jamin100

jamin100

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Ben
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So, christmas is nearly here and as usual id like to get some decent family snaps of the kids opening their presents on christmas morning.

Im not going to be able to get clean backgrounds as there will be paper and toys everywhere but does anyone have any recomendations or tips in regards to settings etc

My kist consists of the following

D90, Nikon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 18-50 f2.8, Sigma 70-200, Nikon SB-600 flash

My initial ideas are to use the 18-50 f2.8 with the sb-600 mounted on the camera. I have been playing with diffusing the light from the sb-600 with an article i found called "the black foamie thing"

Any suggestions appreciated
 
Get down to their level - lie on the floor or crouch rather than photos "looking down on them"
 
I would clear a space so you can get a clear shot of them perhaps with the Christmas tree in the bg have your partner looking on, and sat with them,, so you can get both parent and children in shot, the happiness is also on the face of parent as well as the children, as they reveal there gifts, sat is best I think as if the children kneeling they can move quicker eg up and down movement, bending and lurching making you dizzy at close range LOL, also try and shoot from childs eye level, kneeling or laying on the floor,

Try and do some test shots with your partner, then you have an idea of what works and what doesnt eg ISO, Shutters settings, different lighting or light from an open fire often has a good effect if you have one, and also gives you the chance to remove any bg clutter eg picture frames, lamps, bins, table legs/chairs etc, so the full focus is on them, and no distracting objects it will also help you work out the shot angles, also try get rid of discarded wrapping paper, when necessary some is Ok, but not to much,

I know it can get a bit frenzy when you have more than one child opening at the same time, try to slow them down a little, I know one prezzy a times hard and well nigh on impossible going my my experience, and the siblings also want to see each others gifts as well, so you get that glee

dont just go for obvious. Close ups on hands also tell a story, eg parent/ siblings helping open those, well wrapped prezzies/ elder children showing younger ones, how a toy/game works,

also get shots Christmas eve as they hang their stockings and put out their letter to Santa,mince pies and milk for santa and carrots the reigndeer, find the ideal spot, and again lighting clutter eg, maybe have them out side in the garden if you have one putting out their Santa stop here signs, and as above points that assuming, their young and believers.

Most of all have fun

Get your other half to shoot a few shots of yourself also

You could also post a few test shots for advice as well

Have a great Christmas and happy New Year

HTH

Dave
 
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wow great tips thanks Dave.
My children are 7, 2 and 10 months so it will be bedlam!
 
i always video mine opening their presents so i can record their reaction.
i videod my daughter on xmas eve 4 years ago when we told her she was going to have a baby brother and its nice to be able to watch it again.
 
We try to have the stockings opened on our bed, meaning it is fairly easy to set the tripod up and use the remote release to get whole family shots - the close-up type of shots come later - flash bounced off the rear wall or up towards the ceiling.
 
I am afraid video at Christmas, perhaps the odd snap.

When in Pinnacle Studio for vid editing I take the photos off that.
 
Flash bounced off ceiling - bouncing off walls is all fair and well but you need the wall to be unobscured, which is hard when everyone is excited. Use the 18-50 too.... just gives you a bit more scope for different types of shots
 
mounted the flash on a tripod and used ebay remote triggers to fire it set it enough to light the room worked out quite well

And good reminder need to get things ready lol:lol:
 
Gllad i come across this thread, i have 3yr old and 1 yr old girls, my living room is tiny and is dominated by my 5ft fish tank lol, it will be a task and half but i cannot wait.

Matt
 
im now torn as to weather to video it or use the camera!
argh!
 
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