Creativity and Coronavirus Collide Part II

Creativity and coronavirus have collided on an unlikely spot, the front porch.  Many families are discovering or exploring creativity during this time of Coronavirus lock-downs and stay-safe rules. In our previous blog, we covered a new custom born at this time of isolation. We informed you about the trend of the porch portraits of families all over the country.

Creativity:  The Family Hero in the Time of the Coronavirus Restrictions

The trend for making memories and photographs at this time is not the only manifestation of creativity we have seen in the age of COVID-19.  Neighborhood porches and yards have recently become stages for songs and little spring dance recitals. Often these activities are witnessed by other members of the family or friends at a safe social distance.

And just as often the audience and the performers are the families from inside the house. They simply take turns being performers or being audience members.  And, did anyone except Bullhorn-Media notice the proliferation of drive-way chalk drawings recently?

Porch Portraits Defined and Refined:  Mix a Little Technique into Your Creativity

Since we have seen so much in the way of creative energy, we decided to extend the topic of family portrait-making in this week’s blog.  We want you to know a little more about the technical magic you can put into the portraits we are so proud to see you create.

Creativity Tip One:  Family Portraits and Seeing the Light

 

Now when you photograph your family indoors,

you are in control of the light.  However, outdoors, the rules change. Taking a portrait outside opens up a whole other set of difficulties.

Inside, you can control the light, even if you are only using a Smartphone to capture the kids during the board-game night or coloring-book night.

However, outside, on the porch or in your yard, you have to figure out how to control the light on your family members. It is ironic that your creativity in seeing the light will not be hampered in two of the most common ways:

For example, we might find our light blocked for portraits taken from-the-street. Because of the coronavirus rules, there won’t be cars or crowds in the way of your light even if your porch is in a big city.

Likewise, choose the right time of day for your porch shots.  Try for early morning or late afternoon.  Look at how

the light hits the faces of the people you have on the porch. Watch out for shadows on from eves or overhanging leaves and bushes.

Creativity Tip Two:  Take Your Loving Looks With a Long Lens

If you are posing subject on the steps or in the yard for the family portrait, hopefully, you will use a camera instead of the Smartphone.  If you have a choice, Bullhorn Media recommends you shoot with a long lens.  Without getting all scientific about this idea, let’s just reference it with one of the things you love about professional portraits.

How to “Find” Soft Backgrounds:  Secret Revealed

The focus on family faces is crisp and sharp. However, the background has a softened look.

Without any technical explanation, we are confiding the fact that an easy way to accomplish this is to select

a long lens. If you want to know more about long lens use, check out this informative online source.

But remember, set up your creative effort for early morning or late—but not dark-thirty late. You will need light for that long lens, unless it is a really expensive one or you have a little more know-how.  (We’ll save that topic for another blog.)

Make Getting Ready Part of Family’s Fun: Creativity Tip Number Three

Without looking too matchy-matchy, we think a family wardrobe plan will contribute to the creativity of the portrait. We like denim and darker colors. This is a choice that shows off everyone’s fashion sense. However, more importantly, the outfits will not distract from the faces.

Creativity Tip Number Four:  Arrange Your Subjects at Different Levels!

Creativity demands levels. Straight Line-ups are no fun.

First, vary the levels of your subjects. If you are not a pro, and sometimes even if you are, showing the body positions for your pose is the best idea.

It is much faster than trying to explain—and more comfortable. We think you’ll love the suggestions and simple samples for various group poses available at this valuable online resource.

• What if your porch has no steps? You can use chairs, stools and porch rails to give your family a variety of levels and positions, in the flat yard or on a porch.

Creativity at its Peak:

We just saw a family drag a velvet loveseat out on the front lawn and alternately sit on the seat, arms and back. Even the family dogs were in on the act. We just had to throw that in here in case it would inspire you to go outside the box–or outside the living room.

Creativity Tip Number Five:  Place Yourself at Different Levels

Of course, you are going to take several shots standing at eye-level with your group.  However, give your shots more variety by changing your level.

• Vary Your Own Level: Stand, Sit or Kneel at Different Levels for More Creative Shots
• Exercise your creativity by shooting from a higher level. For example,  try standing in a chair or on a step ladder.
• Kneel or lay on the ground to grab a bird’s-eye shot of your group. Leave them in place and take a few steps
  

  Family Fun in the Front Yard. Provoke portraits of this time together.

  left or right. Then tell them to look over their shoulders at you.

• Take moments of smiling, waving and laughing. Those funny faces illuminate the times of coronavirus deprivation. But they also capture the joy and creativity of time spent together as a family.

Remember, Stay Coronavirus Safe

Once again, the Family at Bullhorn-Media amplifies the importance of staying safe within the rules of your area.

Even as we sense some rules will be relaxed, we need to remain vigilant against breaking them too soon.

Enjoy your creativity, but be well.