The Great Indoors

So, as you probably know by now, I’m all jacked up on Ali Edward’s ‘a week in the life’ project. It has giving me the perfect creative nudge I needed and now, there’s no stopping me. Since this week is still the shooting and gathering phase I’m loving it (that sounded bad). Anyway, ask me how I’m doing next week when it’s time to actually put this stuff in a book. I’m a little afraid. But, I’m choosing to live in the moment and most of my moments are enjoyed in the comfort of my own home. This means, I’m doing a lot of shooting indoors this week. In light of that (I love photo puns, don’t you?) Ali and I thought it might be fun if I shared a few hints about getting the best shots possible when shooting inside your own four walls.

Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Look to the Light

-Getting to know the light of your home is the first and perhaps the best tip I can offer. It’s as easy as finding your windows and using them as your main light source for your photos. I’m not talking direct, bright sun though. I mean look for the soft, subdued light that can fill a room.

-If you’re shooting someone eating breakfast near the window in the dining room, use that window as your ‘light box’. Test out the placement of each chair to gage where the best light falls and then sit your child, husband, unsuspecting neighbor in that seat to best capture your morning. You can encourage your subjects to look into the light for a flat yet flattering effect on your subjects face or you can turn them a bit sideways to the light source to give their face a little more dimension. Each equally delightful I think.

-Before I go on a shoot at a new client’s home, I will give them the job to take a day to observe the light patterns around their home. When does the softest light flood the living room? What time of day does the light fill the new baby’s room? They can then offer a timetable to schedule our session and I am assured the light will be ample and attractive. If you can do this in your home and be mindful of when you opt to take photos around the house (of people or of still life shots) you’ll up your chances of getting better shots.

Rearrange your Routines

-Once you’ve established the light patterns around your home, every once in a while you can creative schedule a daily activity at the time and location that offers the best light. Yes, I am aware that this is a form of manipulation of your truest daily life but it’s not at all disruptive and can often make for a fun variation. When I know I am itching to get some fun shots of bath time, I will give my daughter her bath in the afternoon (instead of at night before bed) because the light in the bathroom is divine around 3pm. I know this from watching the light in the rooms of my house religiously.

-When my daughter was a baby I used to let her nap in my bed on days when I wanted to capture photos of her sleeping. The light in my room was perfect around her morning nap and I could snap away as she slept with beautiful light and perfect view free of crib bars.

Crank the ISO

-I know that many of us learn early on that a high ISO is a bad thing. Not always true. I shoot at a high ISO a lot and I’m here to tell you that it is FINE. And when shooting inside in low light, it can be a life saver. Or perhaps better said a picture saver. Changing your ISO to 800 or even 1600 indoors, in low light settings can be the difference between capturing the shot vs. missing it.

-If you’re still getting lots of blur in your shot, try to steady the camera with a makeshift tripod. Like setting the camera on the table (use one finger or book or napkin wedged in between the table and the lens to point it up a bit). Or prop your camera on something else around the house to keep it still. I’ll set my camera almost anywhere if I need to and almost never have the need for a tripod.

-And don’t be afraid of shooting blind; as in not looking through the view finder when you click the shot. Sometimes it can be tough to see through the viewfinder when your camera is on the floor. The featured photo above was shot blindly; proof that the results can be surprisingly successful.

Mellow the Yellow

-Ambient light is a beautiful thing. The glow of golden light gives a feeling of a soft and subtle moment that is undeniable. But sometimes the yellow hue that comes along with ambient light can be overwhelming and even distracting. If you’ve got a photo that tickles your fancy but is just too golden for its own good, try an easy edit in whatever photo editing software you might use to cool down the photo. This usually means that you need to add blue to the image which will help neutralize the yellow and even out the overall color of your shot. Some programs have a warm/cool slide to play with while other let you slide the color back and forth (like blues to yellows). Somewhere in the slide, you’ll find a happy place. For a before and after shot taken in the light of my dining room at our evening routine of a quick bedtime snack, check out my post at Mother May I today.

I encourage you to put these ideas to the test as you go about your life clicking the moments that make you happy. And, as always, you are welcome to post any links today where you’ve succeeded shooting indoors. Don't be shy about it either. If you've got some indoor shooting secret weapons, enlighten us.

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Congratulations to Praire Poppins,  Emily,  Dr. Lyn and Joanne. They will each recieve a copy of one of Ali Edwards' books! Thanks Ali and thank you all for your comments on our giveaway post! Woot!

Comments

[ePi.Longo]

Tks for the great post. I have an indoor-photo of my friend with common light :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/longo/2869712514/

Some pixs with candles and glasses :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/longo/2721723557/in/set-72157600272368323/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/longo/2722585476/in/set-72157600272368323/

[Marcie]

Thanks for all of the indoor shooting tips. Love the idea of recording a week in a life. Will have to give it a try.

[ELK]

what a wonderful post full of good tips Tracey ~ the bonus? your dog photo, love it!

[cindy k]

thank you for your indoor shooting tips - i will use them today!

[shelli]

I'm thrilled to read these tips and learn that I've been doing it right! For the most part, I try these things, but I thought for sure I was missing something. Most of my indoor shots I don't like - but I think that's mostly because I have such a messy house for a backdrop! ha!

Here's one I took the other day that I do like. Can't quite decide whether I like it in color or black and white better, but I'll offer the color here:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#28

Thank you. Thank you.

[abbey]

I LOVE days you give "hints" and tips!!!!!
Here is a picture i Love in our house... I was messing with the light in the window... and was so pleasantly surprised with what came out!!!

http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2008/08/04/guide-us-with-your-grace.html

[jag]

Thanks Tracey! My indoor shots are usually the pits. As a result, I had pretty much stopped trying. I blamed it on the fact that I "only" have a P&S... or that I was too shaky... or that (fill in blank)... These tips - and the inspiring photos that I see here on SS - are nudging me to give it another try.

pace e bene,

[Naomi in Ohio]

THANK YOU! So helpful!

[dr lyn]

WOW!! Wonderful post with so much good information -- great ideas I'm going to try today! And THANK YOU!! I totally LOVE Ali Edwards -- winning one of her books is an amazing surprise.

I Love Shutter Sisters!!!

[Janine]

Thanks for the information! I hate shooting inside... I don't want to use my flash and I don't like how most of the photos turn out. I'll use every one of your tips!

[Lizabeth]

you post is really helpful! I'm just starting to dabble in this stuff and I appreciate your suggestions.

[spread your wings]

Thank you so much for these wonderful tips. It's a good one to bookmark. I am constantly aware of the light in my home - it's one of the things that I love about it. I can got about my house almost all day long without a light on. Here is one that shows just how wonderful the light is - and this was just taken with my iphone.
http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-post.html

I can't wait to get the D40x back.

[Kacey]

I've been exploring the lighting in my home. I love the light from my north facing window in my office. I stage a lot of my flower shots here:
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/05/10/my-favorite-flower/

And I play with the reflections on the glass top table in a north facing window of my home:
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/09/14/september-theme/

The late afternoon light in the winter when the leaves don't block the light makes for a great stark west light for shadows. It's so fun to play with the light:
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2007/03/20/things-on-my-desk/

[mitsi]

I love the evening light in my bathroom. It's completely odd, but it is so comforting. I am a big fan of natural light and hate turning the lights on if I can help it.

[Kyla]

Congrats ladies! Fun, fun!

I've been clicking away, too! Hope I can keep up throughout the week!

I'm sharing my daily photos over at my blog (http://thekreativelife.blogspot.com/). Or you can view them at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/

And I'm a day behind on posting my pics . . . I'd better get with the program here! ;)

Have a fab day!

[jody]

My sweet Madilynn. She was setting on my dining room table which has a large picture window in front of it =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2899812304/

[Lauren]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... adroable!

[margie]

i took these photos in my living room, in afternoon light.

http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/

[Kirsten]

"Mellow the Yellow" I love that! Ha! Here is my recent fav for indoor lighting...by window while the sun was shining through.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingcheeky/2895764447/

[claudia]

I remember last winter when I put myself on a self imposed noticing project. I would go from room to room chasing the available light documenting the "days of our lives". I homeschool my boys, so I would steal away a minute here or there to check the lighting. I was so excited at the possibilities of more light when spring and summer arrived. Hopefully, I will enter into the "darker" months with a renewed outlook for different moments to capture.

[Monica]

Thanks for the tips. I had to laugh as I read,

"Since this week is still the shooting and gathering phase I’m loving it (that sounded bad). Anyway, ask me how I’m doing next week when it’s time to actually put this stuff in a book. I’m a little afraid."

because I feel the exact opposite. I have been taking pictures willy nilly and about 1/2 the pictures I take, I compose it, think it looks like shit, and then say, "who the heck cares, just get the shot!" I feel like such a loser walking around with my camera everywhere. Although it did feel a little more comfortable today. I just find it takes time and inspiration to come up with a well composed (never mind the light) shot. Seriously! How do I take a good shot of my food cooking on the stove?? Or a super messy kitchen that you don't even want to look at, nevermind remember by mean of a photo. Anyway, I digress. This week is a challenge for me, but the love is growing ... so next week, when it's challenging for you ... just keep going and think, "who the heck cares, just put it together," and you might find yourself starting to enjoy it. :)

ps. I've totally been forgetting to crank the ISO. Is there anything I can do with the white balance to help?

[kim]

Hi - Really enjoy your blog and thanks for the chance to win one of Ali Edwards books!!!

[emily]

awesome tips...thanks a bunch for sharing! here's an indoor shot of my niece playing the piano:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/girl_seeking_grace/2902727073/

[Rachel Brooke]

This tips are so helpful! Thanks for taking the time to give us some useful advice.

[Aia]

love this photo! i also love using natural light, just not very good at it, but learning :) thanks for the tips!

[Naomi]

I know what you mean about paying close attention to the different light available inside your own home. One of my favourite things to do involves capturing what I see in that regard.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2887219394/

[Aubrey]

Just wanted to say THANKS!!!! for the great inspiration...I love the picture of the dog and instantly wanted one of mine! Saw it on Ali Edwards. Really cool blog over here! Amazing photos!