In the Yard
Fall colors are the highlight of the season for any
photographer, whether they brighten the background
or comprise the whole photo composition. The brilliant
shades of green turning to yellow, orange, red, and
brown characterize this time of year, and have come to
represent the familial warmth of the holiday. Depending
on where you are, the perfect explosion of foliage
might come before or after Thanksgiving day, so watch
the trees and have your camera ready for when they
change, as the window of opportunity can sometimes be
short.
The fun isn't over once the leaves have fallen, though;
there is still plenty of potential for great photography.
Leaves strewn across the ground make a beautiful
image, and children (or adults) playing amongst piles of
leaves can make for a wonderful Thanksgiving picture.
If you're using the PicsArt camera, select the fall-color
scene mode for accentuated hues.
Festive Foodies
If you're passionate about food photography, your
holiday is likely dominated by pictures of turkey. To
get the best shot possible, try to capture your bird
under natural lighting, near an open window. If this isn't
possible, seek out diffused or shaded light to minimize
reflections that make the meat look greasy. If all else
fails, cover a lamp with tissue paper or a piece of white
sheet to soften the light.
Of course, there are many other essential harvesttime dishes as well – pies, buns, and a huge array of
vegetables of every shape and color. The same lighting
principles apply; a soft, even glow will make your platter
look very appealing and will suppress harsh shadows.
Resist the urge to use flash – if necessary, use a tripod
with a long shutter speed instead to avoid a flat-looking
picture. Arrange your plates neatly; wipe away any
drips or spills, even out the arrangement, and maybe
add a garnish for a more appetizing image. Remove
distractions from the background and fill it instead with
related items such as plates and silverware, decorations,
ingredients, and other dishes.
PicsArt Monthly | 59