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Children, portraits and clothing
Summary: Camera-ready clothing for a family photo or individual portrait session should be a simple process. Comfortable clothing in neutral colors can enhance the content of your photographs and add to the comfort of your subject. Keep it simple and successful.
It’s a face, an expression, a twinkle in the eye. It’s a portrait. It is not a fashion show.
It is a common mistake of many to overdress for a portrait setting. The rule on camera-ready clothing is to keep it simple.
The
new plaid sweater or the delightful necktie and vest ensemble may seem
like a good choice for a photo session, but the idea of dressing and
grooming your subject may only build their anxiety. Remember to keep
your subject and yourself in the “comfort zone”.
The old
expression that “clothes make the man” is sometimes true. However,
clothing that is too bright or too tight, can end up distracting you
and your subject. Playing dress up (a subject of a future article) can
lead to a delightful photo session. Presently, your mission is to
capture a meaningful portrait.
Color me neutral
When
thinking of color in a portrait it is advisable to think of neutral
colors. Black is a color that works well in variable lighting
situations. The “apparent” absence of color  | | The faces and the embrace contribute to the mother and son in a special moment. The neutral shirts don't distract and draws the viewer's eye to the expressions. |
clearly emphasizes the
subject and draws the eye to the face. While white apparel is neutral
in color, it can be problematic if there are dramatic differences in
contrast between the subject and the background. White apparel can look
washed out in highlight areas and draw the viewer’s eye away from the
subject.
Black or white clothing remains the portrait
photographer’s favorites, because they are visually clean colors. When
assembling groups of two or more  | | The white t's of these siblings add continuity and establishes a sense of togetherness. The faces and the spontaneous and unprompted "kiss from sis" makes it a real moment. |
for photos those colors create visual
continuity. They also create a professional ambiance even for the
beginning portrait photographer.
Come as you are
Take
a little time to think about the style clothing your children wear. In
all likelihood, they are fashionable and comfortable clothing choices
that reflect everyday life. This is how you most often see them. This
is how you will remember them years from now. So, that same type of
clothing, in neutral hues, is a logical and practical choice for a
photo.
The unencumbered and freestyle clothing will keep your
subject at ease and increase the time your portrait session might last.
A comfortable and attentive subject (just a few minutes, please) will
increase your chances of success.
Over the rainbow, if you must
OK.
You win! You really like bright colors and your subject looks better in
baby blue or even orange. Color is fine. After all, YOU are the artist
here.
Still, some thoughts about using colorful clothing are
to be aware of your surroundings and look to harmonize colors to the
backgrounds. A yellow tank top amid a nature setting or bright blues as
the seashore may work out fine. But avoid color clashes that will
distract from the subject and might reproduce poorly in prints or
enlargements.
 | | Colorful clothing does indeed distract from the face; however, it appears to work in this outdoor setting. |
A child’s favorite t-shirt, complete with a
superhero or team logo, may not be your choice for a portrait. However,
it may be a demanding subject’s only choice. If you are concentrating
on faces and expressions it is possible to work around distracting
logos or printing on casual t-shirts or tank tops. Still, be prepared
to go with the flow if it means a contented child for the portrait
session.
Keys to success:
• Keep it simple
• Neutral colors
• Comfortable apparel
• Remain flexible
• Avoid color clashes
Picking
out clothing for your subject shouldn’t be a big production. It is the
face that is important. The wardrobe and the selection process
shouldn’t detract from the portrait.
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
• more tips & tricks
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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 Michael E. Keating is an award winning portrait photographer...
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