Little Pairs Treasured

Valentine's Day is just a day ahead. People are rushing to the malls to buy some stuffs and surprises for their loved ones. And again, it's raining outside. Planned to have a quick window shopping a while ago. Unfortunately, the rain is heavy. For sure, I will have a hard time for a cab.

Anyways, here are some of my treasured stuffs. Got my cam and had fun shooting. I love them! In pairs huh....

These are figurines. My friend gave it to me last 2005 I think.

This was a gift to me when I turned 18. It's been 10 years! More likely a jewelry box. It is a figurine..

I love collecting angels when I was in high school. Way back in the late 90's. I don't buy. It's in my wishlist. That's my close friends made sure that I would surely love their gifts!

This is my favourite photo! This is a key holder (The chain was lost!). This was a "friendship key holder" from my college friends. We always do have some things in common when coming to our class! I miss my friends...

These treasures are kept with care. I love collecting small things. It's the thought that really counts...
Happy Hearts Day Bloggers!!

Much Love From Them

At last! These cute little ones are in my blog! Well, I always wanted for a small dog in the house. And here they are! Sugar - the female; Tikoy - the male one. I want to name them with something sweet.

What I really like from them is that they are very affectionate and playful dogs! They only bark if there are passers-by that they they unusual. If there is sound outside, I like the way they move their ears and locate where the sound came from. Sometimes a hard-headed one. That's why I bought them some treats to get their attention. They love food! I also bought them some Denta sticks. They love to kiss and lick my hands and face. Thank you Denta Sticks! At least my dogs don't have bad breaths! hehe

They are our alarm clock! They jump and lick our faces! Kinda sweet.. When they are very hyper, I just ignore them. They know when to stop and behave. That's my babies! hehe

I really love this photo! I immediately got my cellphone and took a shot. They are very curious.. My sister cracked a joke, Did you put some food on the christmas tree? She often teased my dogs because there are so healthy. And I'm a little bit chubby. They got their traits from me.. hmmmmffff...

Anyways, hope you enjoyed reading. Happy weekend to all!!

My Precious Mine

Another year is here.. and as I looked back at the years passed by, here are some things that I treasured...

The latest gift that I received and value most... Its from my boyfriend... A lovely crystal earrings.. At first, I was hesitant to wear it in the public... I found out that its nice as it sparkles..

Next is something i got from Hongkong Tour. It is simple yet elegant authentic jade ring. And truly didn't regret to have this as my remembrance from my Hongkong vacation.

My eternity ring. I bought this ring last 2007. It caught my attention because of its different colors. A rare collection. I saw many eternity rings but not as this one. No multi-colored gems.

This bracelet is something I've been searching then the beaded bracelet is not in season. I searched every malls here in our place but there are no thing like this.. I gave up.. Fortunately, I went on a shopping and bumped this bracelet.. I bought it immediately.. At last I found it! hehe

Happy New Year!!!

Year-End Treats

2011 is almost over... Let's celebrate the coming year with foods! And here are some of my year-end treats with my friends and colleagues.

This week, I craved for some baby back ribs! I want something new. Something I rarely eat. And here it is! Yummy, mouth-watering, Baby back ribs!! burp!

This treat is not really that planned. We opt for a chicken barbecue, but decided to go for the nearby restaurant near our office. "Binagoongan with Fried rice, fried egg and Mangoes". A Filipino delicacy.

Next is best for New Year! It is round (a lucky shape for Chinese Feng Sui). Sweet for a sweeter year!

The last! Ice cream treats! Well, my colleagues just decided to have an ice cream after long hours of shopping in the mall!

This is my last blog for 2011! Happy New Year everyone!!!

Trekking Manila

These photos are my collection during my trip in Manila. It was summer time and my friend invited to stay with her even just for a week. And of course, I definitely agreed and had fun!

My friend's apartment is near Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This international airport is located along the border between Paranaque and Pasay, and southwest of Makati. This is a busy airport and the main international gateway to the Philippines. Anf of course, the hub for all Philippine Airlines. That's why in my photo, Philippine Airlines as my subject.
Anyways, we just stayed in her terrace and counted every airplane taking off and the airplane that landed. What a past time! But at the same time, we catch things up.

This was taken at Glorietta Mall, one of the largest malls in Manila. Located in Makati City which is owned by Ayala Corporation. This mall contains lots of shops and restaurants. There are also cinemas, gyms, arcades and has a large atrium for special events. Kinda tiring walking around the mall. At least I burnt some of my calories! hehe

Taken at Trinoma Mall. Another Ayala Land owned. One thing I like in this mall. Its natural feature. There is a rooftop park which contains many water features. I think there were seven, and one of them is in this photo! Amazing!

Bonifacio High Street. Another Ayala Land property located in Taguig. First in Philippine retail. Along in its street, there are diverse cuisine, a lot of latest fashions. Experiencing mall in a park.

Thanks for reading my getaway! Happy blogging bloggers!

A Past From a Present

These photos are in my photography gallery. Kind of nostalgic. It's like an old photograph of the present.

This photo is taken somewhere in Davao del Norte, Philippines. It became a past to us because this land was ours. But we have to give it up because it is very far from our home. This landscape had a vast rice field. Now, cavendish bananas is the source of income here.

This photo was taken by a bored person during lunch time. We had a seminar, and of course, having a break time with nothing to do will give you ideas to get out of boredom. And here it is! Two pairs of shoes.

The "El Salvador del Mundo Church". One of the oldest church here in Mindanao. Built in 1800's.

One of the ancestral homes in Camiguin, Philippines. A preserved ancestral heritage.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy blogging bloggers!

Memories of Summer

Summer is over. But still scanning my collections. Wondering what will I share to all of you. I got busy with my work and other stuffs. Its been a while and I really miss blogging..

This pictures are taken during our summer outing (company treat). I enjoyed playing and shooting with my camera at Bluewaters, Samal.

The horizon that caught my attention.

Love the beach!! The white sand and blue water..

The corals..

I love this picture! It's unusual. The spiral cloud. The lovely day..

Summer is over and hopefully I can get shots of rainy season one of these days. hehe

Stingray.. So cute but deadly...

I got these pictures when I had my vacation in Manila. STINGRAY.

Stingrays are commonly found in the shallow coastal waters of temperate seas. They spend the majority of their time inactive, somewhat buried in sand, habitually moving only with the wave of the tide. The stingray's coloration commonly reflects the seafloor's shading, camouflaging it from voracious sharks and larger rays. Their flattened bodies are composed of pectoral fins joined to their head and trunk with an legendary tail trailing at the back.

When a stingray attacks, it needs to be facing its victim, because all it does is flip its long tail upward over its body so it strikes whatever is in front of it. The ray doesn't have straight managed over the sting mechanism, only over the tail. In most cases, when the sting enters a person's body, the pressure causes the protective sheath to tear. When the sheath tears, the sharp, serrated edges of the spine sink in and venom flows into the wound causing a serious damage. The most vicious part of the sting mechanism can actually be the barbs on the spine. Even if venom weren't involved at all, pulling the spike out of a human's chest or abdomen could be enough to cause death from the massive tearing of tissue.

Garden Beauty

I'm bored during this day. And so I grabbed by camera and relaxed in our garden. Ask myself, "what i'm going to do? I have no "trip" for this day." I saw the moon. It's a new moon. An ordinary new moon. And here it is!

The yellowbell flower grows just along our gate. It's an ordinary flower that crawls our fence. I like this photo because i got this at sunset. I really like the colors.

Our grotto during at night... I like the shadows created.

Photonaturalist

I got this site from my younger sister. She knows that I love nature. So she send me a pdf. Its all about 13 tips for a better wildlife photography. And so I visited the site. And bingo! All that I need to know about nature photography. There are tips, photos, free e-books, etc. Photonaturalist: tips and tutorials for better photography by Steve Berardi.

To all photographers. To all nature lovers. To all photonaturalists. Hope this site will also inspire you.

Amazing Nature

I'm an avid fan of National Geographic Channel Asia. I really like how they took shots. I am amazed how they got their best shots. Two thumbs up for their professional photographers!! And so, here I am, inspired.. I am sharing some of my collections.

Spider... This one is really big from ordinary spider we saw in our backyard or attic. At first, I'm afraid to get near. But hey! what's the use of the zoom of the camera???? hehehehe

This snail really caught my attention! A snail gliding on a stem! Captured moment i guess!

One of the eagles living in sanctuary here in Davao City.

Play with Lights

Another boring night... So I grab my Sony A33 DSLR Camera. Only lights from my Lamp shade, laptop and optical mouse. I enjoyed taking shots using the Auto mode of the cam. And here ye! hehehehe I posted some of my favorite shots. Hope you like them too. :]

My favourite Orange Color Optical Mouse...

A Bear wants to Kiss Me or Scare Me???

My laptop and my Favorite Spongebob Pillow.

Christmas Nature Tripping

It is known as "Monkey-Eating Eagle". Some said it is the World's Noblest Flier. It is also called as "Haribon" which means "Hari ng Ibon" (King of Birds). And proud to say, it is our National Bird.

Other birds in the sanctuary. We are so lucky that these birds were saved.


The majestic and powerful Philippine Eagle now faces a peril to its survival. The deforestation in the country, unsystematic logging, illegitimate hunting, and its low reproduction rate has been slowly eradicating the unconquerable Haribon from existence

Let us save our wildlife because these animals are treasures of our country.

Yeah It's Me!

Got this pix after our Christmas Party. This is taken by one of my officemate at the entrance of Northcrest Subd. (One of the projects our company is developing). And this is me!

Well, no camera tricks. No editing. When I saw this, I was amazed by the effect. I think because the camera was moved before the click or flash.

This day was a memorable day for because of some of the events happened. The games, the raffle draws, the good news that was announced by our big boss, walking halfway towards the amenities area with all the afternoon sunlight. Whew! It was a long day. But I had very much fun!

The Joy of Fireworks

For centuries now, firework displays have been used as a form of celebration for important or historical events. It's a wonderful display which lights up the night sky with bright and vibrant colors and loud and cracking bangs. Each display, from place to place, is different and extraordinary.

Firework shows can be seen all across the world, whether it be for a national holiday or to celebrate a big sports moment. Each display differs in length and quality. Big city fireworks, take for example, shows in New York or Boston, are lengthy and brilliant. With fireworks that can explode to do a number of things such as creating images in the sky, these displays are hard to pass up if one ever had the opportunity to see them. Small city firework displays, brilliant in appearance, may not be quite as spectacular but are just as fun to watch. No matter where you go, firework shows can be seen on special occasions.

The best part of a firework show is the grand finale. With the crowd building up towards the end, the finale is what sends people home happy. This is where a number of fireworks are shot in the air repeatedly for a period of time creating a nonstop show of bright explosions in the sky. It's a beautiful display of lights and big bangs that enthrall those who are watching. After the show, people are left with a feeling of excitement and enjoyment. Fireworks are wonderful for making people happy and remembering and celebrating great moments.

Specialized Styles of Photography

Outlined below is a list of genres that call for specialized treatment in the process of creating outstanding photographs. These thematic approaches will be discussed in detail here, though there are few more categories and sub-categories in thematic photography like ad messages, corporate brochures, under-water photography and so on.


-->Wildlife Photography


Wildlife photography is often assumed to be an exciting and high adventure genre of photography. In reality it is extremely challenging and wildlife photographers find themselves at the mercy of inclement weather and sometimes even face danger. Here are some suggestions for this specialized form of photography.


Understand the life form that you plan to photograph in terms of living habits, habitat and behavior. In other words you need a perspective on ‘a day in the life of’ your wildlife subject. Books and online research will throw light on your subject. The importance of getting acquainted with the behavior of the animal is a lot more important when you have to shoot dangerous jungle animals that can attack like lions or tigers or even bears. Animals will become aware of you when you enter close to their habitat but will usually not attack if you keep your distance. But you have to be clear on the distance at which an animal will begin to feel threatened by your presence and decide to attack you.


It goes without saying that you can’t expect any kind cooperation from your subject! You have to fit yourself in, place yourself in a vantage point and have your camera set and ready and then wait for the ’right moment’ to take the shot that you are looking for.


You may have to wait many days before you can capture the right shot. Your subject could not care less if the light is diminishing or the light is at its best. You may have perfect light conditions on a particular day but your subject may not be in the right spot for you to take the shot.


You need telephoto lenses to shoot from a distance and other camera features like Center-weighted metering. The Center-weighted meter allows you to meter the wildlife subject at the center of the frame and vary the size of the sensing area based on the dimensions of the subject and its distance from you.

-->Landscape Photography


Taking landscape pictures within a city from atop a building or on the beach is one type of landscape photography. But if you want to get closer to nature and shoot unique pictures of nature and environment in remote locations like wild forest area or mountain ranges, then you have your task cut out for you just like a wildlife photographer. You need the spirit of adventure within you in order to travels around to different places and scour different regions for landscape opportunity.


It is tough to firstly identify the right spots, you may have to explore for days before you find an idyllic panoramic landscape to shoot. You then have to wait for the right light conditions while braving the weather and the rough living conditions. In terms of equipment, landscape photographers need to go in for a variety of wide-angle lenses since this type of lens is capable of lending depth in the photograph. A wide-angle zoom lens is useful in this type of photography because of the range of focal lengths it can provide while fine-tuning a shot. But there is also the need for telephoto lenses for certain shot though not of the high focal length required by sports photographers. Landscape photographers usually go in for telephoto lenses with focal length less than 300mm (a telephoto lens has a focal length greater than 50mm, a wide angle lens is less than 50mm, and a standard lens has a focal length of 50mm).

-->Sports Events


Those who have made a career of photographing sporting events have a different style of operation to capture the high action of dramatic moments in a game. The length of the lens, the location of the photographer taking the shot and the need to limit blurring are the three critical aspects in sports photography.


Sports photographers use a telephoto lens. This type of lens magnifies the subject. The focal length to choose from in telephoto lenses varies from 60mm to 1000 mm. A lens with a high focal length can give you a wider visual area which is a necessity when you photograph field events. Sports photographers by and large prefer 35mm cameras and use focal lengths of 300-600mm especially for field events like soccer.


The location where photographers position themselves to take different shots is directly responsible for capturing the relevant high-points in a match. It also helps if you have a good knowledge of the sport. This ensures that you identify the right moments and are alert and ready when a memorable situation occurs during the sport. You can get the right shots if you are able to move around and use the right location in different points in a game. However, quite often the areas of movement are restricted for photographers and the best way to tide over this problem is to use a lens of focal length in the region of 600mm to enable shots of the far end of a court or field. Though a good location is usually described by the angle and distance from the court or field, the other aspect of a good location is also the play of light from your vantage point. Most photographers have the task of avoiding shadows caused by the quality of light. The intensity of color in a photograph is reduced in dull light conditions while bright sunlight can create shadows in certain angles.


To limit blurring and capture action during a special game moment, you need to have fast shutter speeds at your disposal. A 35mm camera that is generally favored in sports photography can provide the high shutter speed necessary for action shots. Besides shutter speed, the speed of the film also plays a role. Higher film speed enables higher shutter speeds. A film speed of 100 is inadequate in sports photography. You need a 400 and above speed film.


The autofocus mechanism in is also useful in sports photography especially when manual focus is difficult to achieve quickly in certain sports situations.


An interesting technique called panning is applied in capturing action shots. You have to avoid holding the camera still when you shoot action. A rule-of-thumb is to hold the camera steady but move it along with the action rather than attempting to hold still. This steady movement of the camera along the path of motion of the player; incredibly, has the effect of minimizing blur. On the other hand, you will get a blur if you hold your camera still while the action is taking place. This technique is actually based on sound scientific principles.


It should also be mentioned here that the art of sports photography actually goes beyond capturing action or high points in a game. The readers who view these photographs in newspapers and magazines want to see player expressions, the thrills, the disappointments, the concentration that players display is something that readers find captivating and it becomes a talking point. Readers also like to see crowd reactions and reactions of family members of the players in certain critical game situations. To cater to the public sentiment, a photographer has to also attempt to click these special poignant moments during a game by capturing reactions and facial expressions.

-->Photo-journalism


Photojournalism is a different ball game altogether. It is visual storytelling. It has a strong social and cultural context and is a visual form of reportage based on newsy and current affairs topics. Being in the right place at the right time and understanding the situation as it unfolds helps a photojournalist deliver reader interest material. The objective is to usually pick up contemporary topics and portray a visual story that creates an understanding on the pattern in which people live their lives or social changes that impact them in different walks of life. Photojournalism also lends credibility to the written word and can support a public interest story with visual proof. The visuals complement the written reportage on the story.


A visual representation of contemporary situations is a powerful way to make a point and the photographer who is into photojournalism has to be a firstly aware of the socio-political and cultural scene of a region to be able to shoot the relevant pictures. The equipment required by photojournalists varies by the type of story they pursue. If a photojournalist is picking up images of a town or if the photography is the type that portrays cultural and historical sites, or if the task is to follow the campaign trail of a political leader, each of these require a different treatment.

-->Fashion Pictures


A fashion photographer needs to be a creative thinker with a good eye for aesthetics and the ability to use sound judgment in implementing out-of-the-box ideas. Fashion photography is meant to render an elegant, stylish effect on readers so the mundane and the run of the mill shots will not work. Each photograph is a piece of art in itself and has to be original.


Creating an impact in fashion photography requires the photographer to take a leap in imaginative thinking and to create images that are different and unusual. The treatments that have been tried over the years range from the surreal to muted black and whites, to geometric shapes to brilliant color schemes. A fashion product has to be portrayed creatively while at the same time conveying style and classiness. A fashion photographer needs a high level of visual sophistication combined with ideation skills. It also helps to try and understand the psyche of models that fashion photographers have to regularly interact with, in order to get the best out of them. Your choice of camera and accessories will vary depending on whether you shoot indoor or outdoor, light conditions, theme of the picture, etc.

-->Black and White Treatment


The black and white effect is used by artists and fashion photographers to create abstracts or classy ‘other worldly’ images. The camera equipment required in black & white is not very distinct from other types of photography but the key actually lies in the processing and printing quality. This is an important area of emphasis in black & white photographs in order to get the desired effect.


You will need an assortment of lenses for different situations – such as a combination of wide-angle lens as well as a standard lens. If you want large prints, you may need a camera with a high-resolution digital image sensor for sharpness of large format prints. The resolution should be more than 3 mega pixels.


Whether you develop your photographs in the darkroom (traditional film based camera) or process the pictures digitally (digital camera usage), when you develop the picture yourself you have the leeway to heighten or reduce the contrasts in tour picture based on the type of impression and visual impact you hope to create. You can also scan from traditionally processed negatives onto a computer and then process the images digitally.


To fine-tune the images digitally you need some basic knowledge of Photoshop software. Without manipulating the main picture in any way, you can enhance your black and white images by fine-tuning the contrasts. Photoshop assists in optimizing the images. The principles are the same as those used in a traditional darkroom. Using Photoshop you can apply various techniques like dodging (you selectively lighten a certain portion of a photo), cropping, optimizing density and fine tuning the contrasts. Fine tuning the contrasts is important in creating the right effect in black and white.


The print quality is another important factor in creating high impact black & white photographs. If you intend to print digitally processed images, you need a good printer and long lasting ink in your printer. You should also use photo quality paper to print your images.

-->Shooting Celebrities


Celebrity photography is challenging and the same time an exciting, glamorous field. When you deal with celebrities, firstly you have very little time to work within. There is always a time constraint even after you pin down a celebrity for a photo session. You have to therefore have good infrastructure and be ready with the necessary equipment. You have to plan the shot and adjust your camera, before asking your celebrity to pose.


Celebrity faces are well known so the key lies in attempting to capture something a little different, to create a different perspective. You need to build a good rapport with the celebrity and have to persevere to get the right mood to capture the real essence of the person. If you are photographing the celebrity for an ad, then the strategy behind the ad has to be considered to blend in the celebrity’s expressions and posture to suit the requirements of the ad.


To sum up, the discussion - Wildlife photography requires you to brave rough conditions and thoroughly understand the habitat and behavior of the animal. The relevant and useful tools in your camera system are the right lenses and center-weighted metering if you are into shooting wildlife. Landscape photography requires you to be a wandering explorer, constantly seeking out those spectacular scenic settings. You mainly need wide-angle lenses in your camera system to demonstrate depth and scale in your picture. Sports events need a good vantage point and if you want to freeze the high action in the game, you have to learn and hone the skill of panning. Photojournalism calls on your social and political consciousness and is the art of visually unfolding a story, while Fashion photography requires ideation and out-of-the-box thinking. The impact of Black & White treatment can be heightened during the processing phase using various techniques and, Celebrity photography is not all glamour. Capturing the right mood and the essence of the celebrity becomes the key to a good shot and you often work within time constraints.


It is apparent that different photography streams each have their own specialized approaches and style of treatment. Your mind-set and your interests should influence the path that you choose as a photographer.

Digital Photography Now: Technology is Changing the Field

How is Digital Photography Changing the Industry?

Digital photography is nothing if not convenient. You can take pictures, preview them instantly, delete the bad ones and print only the good ones. There is an element of instant gratification that makes digital photography attractive to both amateur and professional photographers alike. You can quickly see problems and make adjustments that will improve the quality of your end result, and you won't end up with a stack of blurry or unflattering prints. For most amateur photographers and hobbyists, digital photography provides everything they need.

Clearly, the demand for digital photography technology is on the rise, but is it replacing traditional film? And does the increased quality of amateur photography pose a threat to professional photographers?

Digital Photography vs. Film?

Digital photography or film? It doesn't have to be one or the other. Digital photography and traditional film photography can coexist and even complement each other. Each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Digital photography may change the way many people take pictures but that doesn't make film obsolete.

Professional photographers can often get better results with traditional film. Especially when shooting landscapes or producing larger size prints. Professional photographers have finesse with film—from shooting to developing—that allows them to produce high-quality images.

How Does the Rise of Digital Photography Affect Professionals?

Digital technology is convenient in many ways. It allows photographers to get images to clients more quickly. It also allows them to see whether they got the shot right away. Digital technology gives more immediate results—at least in theory. The workflow changes with digital photography. The post-production process may be longer and more expensive in terms of equipment. Digital technology also requires photographers to stay current in their knowledge of tools and software.

Whether professional photographers choose to use digital photography or film, the camera only plays a role in the success of the work. The photographer controls the lighting, creates the composition and imbues the subject with meaning. There will always be a need for professional photographers with technical knowledge and a strong sense of artistry.

Better Photos with Your Digital Camera

Everyone has a digital camera today and we all take a lot of photos. But if your photos still have trees coming out of your father’s head, mom has red eye, and your beloved pet is never facing the camera then here are some tips to help you take better photos.

1. Always be aware of the background. I know this is the hard one but it is critical. If you’re setting up a shot take a quick look at what is behind the people in your shot. So many perfectly good photos are ruined by a tree seeming to grow out of a person’s head. It can be as simple as the person taking one full step to the right or left to move the obstacle that would ruin your photo.

2. Use available light. If your digital camera has an option to turn the flash off and it’s light enough outside to read a book then use the available light and turn the flash off. In general camera flashes are too harsh for human skin and make all of us look pale. (Even better if your camera has a fill flash use that indoors where there isn’t enough daylight, and place the person by a window as well.)

3. Use ambient soft light. The reason that so many of use pose people under trees, and end up with the ruined photo with a tree coming out of dad’s head, is that we all instinctively know that soft light is best. Sunlight filtered through a trees’ leave is beautiful and warm. It warms up the skin and puts a soft light to the features. Indoors near a window with drapes has a similar effect.

4. Aim your camera slightly down at the person’s face. Now I don’t mean climb a ladder but just don’t ever, and I mean ever, point your camera looking up to a person. We all look fat and bloated at that angle. Also don’t shoot just face on to the person, try a little to the side, a three quarter view, so that you see more of their face. Remember camera higher looking down and a three quarter view, it will slim your subject.

5. Remember your focus, are you taking a photo of mom and the tree, then take mom with the whole tree. But if you’re taking a photo of mom next to a tree do we really need to see the entire tree? Get closer to your subject. We can see some of the tree bark with mom leaning against it, but showing the whole tree is a waste. Remember this tip with children, many people take a shot of their dear child for an expression on the child’s face, but in the printed shot the child is lost next to another kid, the swing set, and the dog. Remember get closer.

6. Never put your subject dead center. All family photographers do this and it’s as hard of a habit to break as remembering to look at the background. But if you’ve moved closer to your subject remember to put them just sightly off center. Not a lot just a bit. When you’re shooting even groups of people this is especially easy but odd numbered groups is a little more difficult. Just find your imaginary center line of your group and put that line just a bit off center in your view through your lens or screen.

With these tips you can be on your way to taking better photos today.

How to Take Better Photos of Your Baby or Toddler

Every Mom wants to take great photos of their babies and toddlers. We all want professional looking photos for our children without paying a fortune!

We all wanted to capture every precious moment and every important milestone on film. I am sure you are just like me in wanting to take these same precious photos of your baby or toddler. These 5 tips will help you take better baby and toddler photos.

1.) The first tip I suggest is to be aware of the lighting. The best place to take photos is outside in a natural setting. You should take photos early in the morning or late in the evening right before the sun sets. Remember to use your flash for fill flash outside. This lighting produces stunning results!

2.) The second tip I suggest is to get closer to your baby or toddler and get down to their level. Never photograph your baby or toddler from above.

3.) The third tip I suggest is to make the setting/background simple. Try to place your child near a simple or plain background.

4.) The fourth tip I suggest is to take lots and lots of photos. The more photos you take, the more photos you will have to choose from. You may just get lucky with an adorable one of a kind photo of your baby! You may capture the perfect moment! So, never stop taking pictures!

5.) Invest in a good digital camera. It doesn’t have to be an expensive digital camera. But it should have a sports mode so that every time the baby or toddler will move, it will not destroy the image.

You are now on your way to taking better baby and toddler photos.

7 Things You Must Do If You Want To Make That Perfect Camera Shot

There is a saying: Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand. Margaret Bourke-White

These tips should help you experience again those moments back where you've said "if only I had a camera." Now you will have it captured on film. These tips should help

1. Get closer to your Subject

Keep in mind, if you're using an instant camera a lot of them have a minimum shooting distance. This is usually about two meters.If you’re closer than that, your shots will be out of focus.Try to take shots with the viewer focused on the subject. The closer to the subject, it will look better for the viewer.

2. Photos will tell Stories

Photos of an occasion or activity such as birthdays, reunions and special occasions with family and friends tell a great story for all to experience again and reminisce.

3. Decide What It Is You Want and Don't Want in the Picture
It’s best to keep the background as uncluttered as you can. Background disorder will take out the focus from your subject.

4. Take Surprise Shots

You'll get some great shots if you take pictures when people least expect them. Just think of the facial expressions you'll get.

5. Make a Slide Show

Slide shows are great to have later when those involved in the activity can watch and laugh at themselves and find again the activity in their minds.

6. Liven Up Posed Shots

Try to avoid taking boring posed shots. Instead of using "Say Cheese" try have people say Rumplestilskin. That should help get a real smile. If people see you're going to take their picture, tell them you will click on four and then click on three. That should catch them in a more relaxed state.

7. Camera Hardware Tips

Does your camera have the correct options set up? Check your lens and make sure it’s clean. It could have a finger print on it. That would make it almost impossible to focus. Check to see if you have auto focus or manual focus. Test it to see if it will work as stated in your manual. Make sure you know how to control it.
If you are using slide film set the ISO button one spot ahead of the film. An example would be if you’re using ISO 64 slide film, set the ISO at 80.
The results will be deeper color saturation and more vibrant shades of yellow, red, and orange. This tip will not work with print film.

Using a digital camera, always make sure the battery is charged.

For more room on your memory card delete all pictures you don't want to keep. You’re now ready for some fun and games clicking away with your camera.

So I guess you’re very excited to use your camera. Have a posed full of memories.