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6) The Background
What does background look like? If it's neutral - use it. If it's ugly, maximize your depth of field (smallest possible F-stop) to blur background. If you don’t write this one down, I can guarantee that you won’t remember it for more than 10 seconds once you start taking photos. Also, be aware of shadows that fall prominently on your background (hence suggestions to consider using bounce flash and no flash with a high ISO setting).
7) The LCD Display
AVOID USING THE DISPLAY TO CHECK ANYTHING OTHER THAN IF YOU CUT OFF ANYONE'S HEAD. LCD displays should NOT be used to confirm contrast, color, exposure, or any other critical factors. This is why computer is needed to evaluate test shots prior to party. If you are very experienced, you can tell certain things from histogram, but to be safe - take test shots and examine results on a computer (or, ideally a printer) way before actual date of party.
8) Equipment
Have fully-charged batteries, memory cards, chargers, external flash, lens accessories, and tripod ready.
9) Construct a Birthday Party Pictures List
Jot down MUST HAVE pictures, as well as ones you would like to capture, if possible. And, what’s good of putting together a list unless you remember to take it to party AND TO REFER TO IT.
10) Candids
If you’re putting together a list, may I suggest including “Candids” on it. Very often best birthday party photos will be candids. Since most birthday photos are generally posed, candids take on a special uniqueness.
Candid birthday party photos of sleeping children should always be a top priority. Why? On a purely emotional note, they are always cute, will typically produce a smile for viewer, and sometimes even get a laugh.
11) Surplus Time
If it's your child's birthday party, they will never look better than they do JUST BEFORE THE PARTY STARTS. If possible, locate a spot where natural light is entering a window and POSE them and cake for some big smiling photos. (The younger child, less chance for smiles, so don't go crazy.)
And, by way, there will be plenty of opportunity later to take some birthday party pictures with cake and ice cream dribbling out of their mouth.
To see sample photos and additional tips, check out http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/birthday-party-pictures.html.
Article courtesy of http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com , where you can see numerous sample pictures & photography tips on many subjects and events.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.
Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help the digital photography users create better photographs. Robert has a blog at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-photography-news.html