Sunday, August 31, 2014

Five Steps to Backlit Pictures







Backlit photography is popular for a number of reasons.  It can be difficult to execute at wide open apertures (that make the background appear blurry) so photographers like it for the skill level.  It separates the subject from the background so you don't get "mergers" (like a tree growing out of a person's head).  It has a warm "feel" and brings an emotional connection because it normally occurs around sunset.


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To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.

Here are five things to consider when trying to take backlit photos:

1. Focus:  It is difficult for the camera to focus on something very backlit.  Sometimes you have to focus and recompose or cover  your lens with your hand to get the focus, then pull it away to take the picture, or move to a different angle to get that rim light around your subject. 






2. Exposure: You typically want to overexpose or your subject will be too dark.






3. Placement: It is easier to get the shot and have the person be the main focus of the image when the source of light, the sun, is not shown.  If you move to where you can see the effects of the light, but not the sun, it can be beautiful.




4. Time of Day:  It is easiest to get backlit photos around sunrise or sunset when the sun is low in the sky.  Otherwise you have to get down low and shoot up at your subject which can be an unflattering angle unless they have a chiseled Kennedy-esque chin and are young and thin.





5. Reflector:  Use one if possible.  This is one of the reasons I love to have moms on my senior shoots.  They become my assistants and work the reflector for me.  I prefer the golden side, but the silver and white sides are also nice.  In absence of a Photography reflector or assistant, try to find natural reflectors, a sidewalk, or bright wall to bounce the light off of to light your subject.




























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To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.



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Friday, August 29, 2014

Four handsome sons






My husband is the third of four boys and I have no brothers. The brother relationship fascinates me, his relationship with his brothers, my sons' relationship.  How can they be noble and sacrificial one moment and rolling around like bear cubs the next?  

Tanner Rutz has a very good friend with a sweet mom who wanted to give him a senior session before he went off to be a wide receiver for a college on the beach in California.  We both thought it would be fun to include the rest of the family since it would be awhile since they would be together again. 

Everybody in town knows and loves Kelli, their mom.  She supports all her sons in their sports and emotional and mental well-being and teaches pre-K at Trietch Methodist Church.  Enjoy photos of these four handsome, energetic, close-knit young men and their understandably proud mama!

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To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.


































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To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.








Friday, August 22, 2014

Flower Mound bridals by photographer Lisa McNiel







Look at those beautiful blue eyes Meagan has!

I first met Meagan and her mom, Dawn when we got together to discuss photography.  We didn't know each other, but it felt like we had just missed each other for about 18 years of school and church circles, mutual friends and trips to Target in our little burg.  I've been tickled to be their Facebook friends, because humor is highly valued in this family!  Meagan and her mom work together as massage specialists and the love and relaxed warmth that surrounded the wedding was practically tangible, but that's for another post.  Enjoy this lovely girl in her lovely gown!

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To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.



















Follow me on pinterest here: follow me

To see more photos from Flower Mound photographer Lisa McNiel, check me out at here for www.Lisa-Marie-Photography.com or follow me here on Facebook.