By: Jonathan Weinstock
Please Note: “Stock Tips” is intended for new and emerging professional photographers
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Framing your image properly is one of the most common details overlooked by new photographers. Many new photographers do not realize the importance of framing your subjects. Also, they do not understand why certain sizes just won’t print the way they’d like. Most of these mistakes are made when taking headshots or group photos. Nearly all SLR cameras are a 3:2 ratio.
This means that when shooting with an SLR camera, you need to realize that 8×12 is your full frame. And you will have to prepare your shot for 2 inches of cropping if you want to have an 8×10 photo printed. Too often, I will see group shots that were taken way too tight and the result is deciding between cutting someone’s shoulder or ear off or be forced to print the full frame 8×12.
A simple solution to this is to zoom out a bit or take a couple of steps back, so you will be sure there is enough room for cropping later on.
So remember, leave enough cropping room on your shots and you will always be able to print the size you want!
Original: Full Frame Before Cropping
- Cropped: Shot Too Tight – cropped original image to an 8×10. Image loses bridesmaids elbows and a portion of their bouquets.
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Thanks for the tip. As a new photographer I made that exact mistake and had to order a 8×12 instead of 8×10. Now, I always remember to take a couple of steps back.
Comment by Charice Kemp — July 15, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
I am an up and coming photographer and appreciate your helpful hints and tips. I do have a question about other details when shooting a group. Is there a specific time of day that is best for shooting large groups, or in that fact shooting anyone at all? I have a few outdoor weddings booked and would love some advice. In the past I have had mixed reviews on my own work depending on the time of the day. Sometimes my shots are great in the evening and some times they need some photoshop work, same in the morning and the afternoon.
Comment by Charles Bastian — July 16, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Charles-
Thank you for your comment. It’s always great to hear about new up and coming photographers, hungry to learn and succeed. Of course, every situation you encounter will be different, requiring different approaches, techniques and tools. Gaining experience and getting an overall “feel” for what to do in certain conditions will come naturally while you progress and improve your skills.
Generally speaking, the most beautiful shots you can take are outdoors. You will be at the mercy of the weather conditions, but you will simply need to adapt to your environment. I used to shoot out in Arizona, which was such an advantage having the beautiful mountains at sunset as a backdrop. This was a no-brainer time of day to shoot, as the sky would look so beautiful at that time.
For your upcoming outdoor wedding, I would make a few general suggestions:
Portraits: Look for some shade so you have more of a controlled environment for shooting and using fill flash or strobes.
Candids: A fill flash is important here if the sun is out strong; and try to keep the sun at your subjects back for a nice backlight.
Check your histogram and make sure you aren’t overexposing.If it is really bright out, tell your subjects to close their eyes and count to 1,2,3, OPEN to get your shot.
Good Luck!
Comment by jonathan — July 21, 2009 @ 10:05 am