Photo Active
10 things to shoot, edit or create this month, including sci-fi composites, mono magic and linescapes
Kitty Clark
1 | PORTRAITS
Family fun
Kitty Clark uses her local surroundings to create natural family portraits hey say don’t work with children, or animals. I can’t
Tcomment on the latter, but I’m here to argue a case for the kids. It’s the photographer’s job to capture raw emotion and connection – and there’s no-one on Earth more uninhibited than a five-year-old who’s been given free reign to play.
I love shooting with families; I started photography as a ‘mum tog’, wanting to capture the little details and intricacies of my baby’s new life. Over time, my work has strayed in other directions – small business branding, weddings, models – but family photography still has my heart. I prefer unposed, unscripted captures that speak to the soul, and there are few connections more intimate, or more natural than those within a family unit.
Some of my favourite shoots are taken in someone’s garden, where they feel free to let their relationships play out as they would in their everyday lives. Creatively capturing these special bonds is one of the greatest gifts you can give to the people in front of the lens.
www.kittyclark
photography.com
Kitty Ckark
1 Get the kids involved
The kids are the undoubted stars of this show, and their comfort in front of the camera is key to a beautiful shoot. Help a shy child feel better by making the process collaborative: show them your camera and let them see pictures of themselves. This will help them to trust you, and not feel so afraid of the strange clicking machine you’re aiming at their face.
2 Embrace your inner child
Fun and movement create magic on family shoots. Get the kids running and playing alongside you, and take the shots when they’re totally engrossed in whatever game you’re playing. Slightly older kids love to hunt for the Gruffalo, and bubbles don’t go amiss at any age. Come prepared to be a bit silly, and you won’t go far wrong.
3 Save the best for last
Most people want at least one posed group family shot, so it’s a good idea to get it done first. While they’re there, ask them about something funny that’s happened this week to capture the more natural version of this setting. Instigate some walking shots, before letting the real fun (and unscripted chaos) commence.
Kitty’s kit bag
I shoot mainly with my Canon 5D Mk III with a Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 lens: it’s a fantastic set-up for most family shoots. I love the easy back-button focus on this camera, allowing me to lock in continuous autofocus on my fast-moving subjects.
I have recently started using a Sony Alpha 7 III, a lighter mirrorless camera with amazing touchscreen focus and excellent low-light abilities (for in-the-forest type shoots). I use my Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens for upclose detailed shots, with a Sigma MC-11 adaptor enabling use on the A7 III. Throw in a spare battery, spare SD cards and some bubbles for the kids, and I’m good to go.
Use Aperture Priority Mode
Aperture Priority allows you to manually control the aperture while the camera largely determines the rest, leaving you free to play and create. Set the ISO to Auto (fine for most outside photography), then you can determine the minimum shutter speed – I recommend 1/500 sec for those high-speed kids.
2 | SEASCAPES
Solid as a rock
James W Fortune shares his favourite rock formations and how he shoots them
James W Fortune gained an interest in photography at the age of 14, thanks to the built-in camera in his first mobile phone. What started as something that was simply a fun way to be creative developed into a keener interest when his grandfather gave him his old film camera, a Pentax MX.
James went on to study photography and film through college, completing his BA Hons degree at Edinburgh Napier University in 2012.