Photographing children – action can be an important style element

A side glance

Photographing children need not result in an endless stack of children posing somewhat awkwardly for snapshot quality photos.  With just a few elements you can transform the ordinary photograph into something worthy of mounting and then hanging on your family’s picture wall.

I’m not guaranteeing that all your photos will become masterpieces. But you can be well on your way to taking better photographs.

The natural unposed pose

• Instead of posing the child or children, photograph them while they are playing.  You will end up with natural looking shots.  Doesn’t matter what they are doing.  In this series of photos, these six year old girls were doing what comes naturally on the beach, walking around looking for seashells, hermit crabs and somesuch.  In their play, they didn’t pose for these photos.  In fact, they paid me no mind.   Do this and you end up with natural looking shots.
• Consider taking photographs from different perspectives.  Maybe a profile from a low-angle, maybe a 3/4 frontal.  You will end up with a wider range of photos and maximize the chance that some of them will be very good.  Remember, different perspectives can be accomplished by the child climbing or sitting or any dynamic movement.
• Consider the use of props or accessories (toys etc)  for activity.   Props allow the child to extend limbs, turn their heads, reach up/down.  These movements can make for graceful or photogenic “unposed” poses.  In some of these photos, one girl is wearing a hat.  Not only did the hat cover her head from the tropical sun, it also added an additional point of interest to the photograph, making the girl to appear a bit stylish in some photos.
• Pay attention to the background.  Consider the background an important part of the photo. It shouldn’t distract from your subject.
• Look for nature to help.  Wind, sun, shade or any natural occurrence doesn’t have to be distraction.  Use nature to your advantage.  Look at the photos where the breeze added a different dynamic to the child walking.

There are other things that one can do but these are a good start.  Give them a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

These photographs were taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens and Nikkor 135mm f/2 lens.  The photos were shot in Hua Hin, Thailand.

On the move

Tip-toeing

Good unposed stylish photo

Sand in her hands

More street style at Bangkok’s Central World

Magnetic smile

If you follow my blog, you know that I’ve  spent the last few Friday afternoons at Central World Shopping Center.  I like to schedule business meetings in the various coffee shops located there.  In addition to being a comfortable venue for meetings, Central World is also home to free indie concerts on Friday.   As a result, there is always a crowd of tweens roaming around.  When you toss in a handicrafts market in front of the massive mall, well, that spells an opportunity to get out your camera and fire away.

Photos taken with a Nikon D700 and Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Happy girl

Looking to buy

Boy tail

Really big glasses

Street fashions in Bangkok at Central World shopping center

Sweater and hat

Street fashion has always thrived in Bangkok.  The confluence of European design with modern Thai style has led to some dynamic and always interesting style and color combinations.  There is a large degree of confidence in the way younger Thais assemble their wardrobes.  Also take a look at my other recent postings from Central World for more examples.

There are some influences from Japan and perhaps Hong Kong, though these cities tend to be of  lesser importance and somewhat niche in their appearance.  If you want to see street fashions in Bangkok, spend some time around Siam Square, and other nearby shopping areas such as MBK, Siam Paragon and Discovery and Central World. These shopping destinations are all within one kilometer of one another.

Photos taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor DC 135mm f/2 lens.

Horizontal stripes

Red hair and tattoo

The man and..

...the woman

Casual and confident

Street fashions in Hong Kong

Young and old

Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant places in Asia for street fashions.  While not exactly cutting edge like Tokyo, it has a certain look all its own.  It’s the combination of elegance and street sense that make it a standout city.  These photographs were taken over a span of four days last month in a couple of the more street fashion conscious areas in Hong Kong, Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mongkok and Causeway Bay.

Photos taken with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 lens.

Waiting for a sms

Another girl, another phone

Shopper walking to MTR

Walking away

Two right, one left

Shinjuku boots continued – is there an end?

Knee highs with mini

Back by popular demand are… more boots!  Really, I’ve heard from many that they are interested in looking at boots.  And more boots!  Well, I aim to please.

But I gotta tell you, I am near the end of my boot pics.  And no reruns planned.

Knee length two times

Knee length boots are big in Japan.  Flat heels, high heels, fringe topped and foldovers.  The key element is knee length.  Highly styled or more casual is irrelevant to the devotees.

As noted in numerous postings in blogs and at various style websites, Japanese women have a “thing” about boots.  It’s been analyzed a million different ways.  I’m not going to go into that in this posting.  Do a simple search of “boots Japan women” and you’ll get enough info to satisfy your curiosity.

If you haven’t checked out my blog before, I’ve posted several sets of boots.  Take a look if you’re so inclined.

Tokyo – Boots are made for walking, one more time

Don't walk away, Renee

A number of my women friends are really into boots.  However, those that live in Bangkok and Singapore very rarely wear boots mainly because the tropical climate is not conducive to comfort when wearing nearly knee high boots.  It doesn’t stop them from buying boots and taking holidays where they can wear them.   Friends in Hong Kong are a different matter as the winter weather encourages boot wear.  But nothing like the boot fashion environment in Tokyo.  In any given square kilometer in Shinjuku, Shibuyu and similar neighborhoods in Tokyo, the sheer variety is astounding.

I’ve posted boots several times in the past and sad to say I am reaching the end of my supply of boot photos from my trip to Tokyo at the end of October.  And if you consider that most of the photos were taken in an hour’s time in Shinjuku, it gives you an idea of their popularity in Japan.

Knee high boots

Suede buckle style

Fur hood and boots

From top to bottom

Roaming Shinjuku – boots are made for walking, part 2

Plaid and leather

Closeup

Japan is one of the most interesting places to visit and especially if you’re interested in photography.  From cultural and historical sights like Buddhist and Shinto temples to an active fashion industry, there’s enough variety to keep any photographer happy.  And Tokyo style is very dynamic, a little over the top and definitely interesting.  The fashion shown in these photos are very typical for young woman.  Layered with lots and accessories and definitely a fondness for boots, all styles.  And in a two block radius, you can many different styles.

These photos were taken during my last trip to Tokyo in late October.  In fact, I spent only an hour at this location near Shinjuku station and took upwards of 150 photos.  Lots to see and shoot.

Hope you like what you see!

Shopping spree

Closeup

Walk on by

Closeup

Double down

Fashionable boots in Tokyo up close

As I’ve noted before, Japanese women have a fascination with boots.  All types of boots, from lumberjack type to high fashion.  And not just in inclement weather.  There are many articles on the web that discuss this phenomenon.  My favorite boots are the above the knee style.  Something that you would expect to see in a Three Musketeers movie.  What’s amazing to me is that this trend has been going on for years.  It’s not a new thing.

The following photos show a variety of styles.

Look close. Two different pair of fleece boots.

Take a look at the two woman that are illuminated in the above photo.  Now look at their boots. Similar style.  And they aren’t together. And the closeup below.

What do you think?

The next pair are cowboy boots.  With denim jeans tucked into the boot tops.

Tokyo two-step

What do you think?

And then finally, a pair that are unusual.  Don’t know what to make of them.  Individualistic?  Yeah.  Interesting? Yeah.  A fashion statement?  Not quite sure what kind of statement.  Regardless, she wears them with pride.

Off she goes.

Yeah, they're ok

Stylish women with gold-studded boots at Ebisu and Shinjuku

Sometimes when you take photos, you are so wrapped up in the moment that you don’t see some of the detail.  These photos are a case in point. I did not notice their shoes until today.  From a distance, the first woman seems somewhat conservative.  Her shoes tell a slightly different story.  The woman in the second photo speaks for herself.

Walking to work

Enlargement

In a rush

Bangkok Street Fashions

Blowing in the wind

Anywhere on the Bangkok Skytrain route from MBK to Thonglor, there are thousands of shops that cater to your whimsical taste for style.  One of the best vantage points besides MBK or Siam Square are the BTS stations that service the areas.  Whether your style is fashionable conservative or cutting edge, there’s lots to see.

Biding her time

Checking it out