4 Tips for Photographing Moments of Recreation

We all love to have pictures from our happy moments, especially today, when social media is a must. Travels, activities, friends, things you do for the first time, fun pictures, or just relaxation moments, they all get into your recreation photo portfolio at some point. For some, taking pictures of their family and friends is the hardest thing to do. For others, spotting people playing sports or having a picnic takes only a walk in the park. But there is a difference between a photo made for social media and one which can stay in a gallery. Here are some tips to make an artistic photo from a recreation moment.

Pay Attention to Composition

Even if you have to work fast in order to catch the moment, use all the rules of compositions that you know. Framing is really important. Clear the frame of unwanted objects and choose the best perspective. If your subjects are moving, leave space in front of them to give the impression of going somewhere. Balance your picture with objects of different colors and sizes. How you hold the camera is also important. Don’t do all your pictures in landscape mode and from your eyes height. When you photograph a recreation moment you need do be as playful as possible.

Be Fast

People won’t play or run all day long. To catch them in action, always have your camera ready. Use Auto Mode if you can’t work manual settings fast enough. Still, if you want to use manual settings, use fast shutter speeds (around 1/1000th is good), low ISO (100 will be perfect), and a small aperture (f/16 for example) to get a deep depth of field. Especially if you take pictures in low lighting conditions, consider using a tripod. Learn to proper use your camera, so that technical features are not an issue.

Details

Many of the pictures taken on recreation moments have the entire action in one frame. Try to focus on details that will build the story. Pictures with general subjects (like people on a beach, cars in a race, snowboarders on a slope) are dull and will never get into a gallery. Try to catch the speed of the snowboard by focusing on flying snow around it. Or get your public feel the heat of the sun by focusing on some beads of sweat on a cold bottle. There are so many little details which complete a good memory.

The Mood

The most important part when doing this kind of photography is the atmosphere. You have to put in your pictures sensations that are not visible. Moods, sentiments, emotions, enthusiasm, fear, and other features of the actions are not easy to frame in a picture. Be brave and experiment different perspectives. Take many pictures of the same action, using different angles and camera settings. Give your subjects importance by photographing from below. Diminish their size by taking pictures from the above. Get really close. Try all you can to capture the excitement or the feeling of the moment.

It’s not easy to do artistic photography when everybody is moving, playing, or relaxing. But these authentic moments are some of the best subjects you’ll have. Practice and a good knowledge of your camera will help you take some exquisite pictures. Don’t forget that composition rules still apply. But, like any rules, you can brake them from time to time. Hold the camera in any position you want. The most important thing is to do justice to your subject and to capture the moment as it is. Add moods and feelings to your picture, because this is what makes a good picture great.