Taking Great Halloween Pictures
Tell a story
Every Halloween costume tells a story. Make sure you capture it.
Show your little angel turning into a little devil, ghost, princess, clown - or whatever costume they dream up. Take pictures throughout the transformation - from the same angle, if possible. This will allow you to create a cool flipbook later on.
Keep your camera handy, you never know when the perfect trick-or-treat moment will occur.
Avoid flash reflections
When using a flash, avoid windows and mirrors in the background. They'll reflect the flash, creating glare that can ruin an otherwise great shot.
If you can't avoid reflective surfaces in the background, stand diagonally from your subject to take the picture.
Move in close
To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your viewfinder or LCD with the subject.
Step in close or use your camera's zoom to emphasize what is important and exclude the rest.
Check the manual for your camera's closest focusing distance. If you are closer than that distance, use the camera's macro or 'flower' mode to get a sharp close-up.
Stay within flash range
Typically, flash range for digital cameras is 6 to 10 feet and up to 15 feet for film cameras. Subjects outside the flash range will be either too dark or too light. Check your camera manual for the correct flash range.
Even though you may be within flash range, weak batteries will result in dark, disappointing photos. Considering all the flash pictures you'll be taking, it's wise to install fresh batteries in your camera.
Act the part
Ask your child to get into character when you snap your pictures. Have your queen strike her most regal pose and your little Big Leaguer to throw the game winning strike.
Add some action to your shots. Get your child to move in her costume - your ballerina can pirouette, and your pirate can show off his swashbuckling skills. You'll get livelier pictures and your child will have a ball.
Capture the mood
Halloween is a spooky good time, use the warm glow of late afternoon or the glow of a pumpkin to create the right mood.
When dusk falls, try turning off the flash (see the owner's manual if you don't know how) and take a few pictures. Hold the camera very steady or use a tripod to avoid blur from the slow shutter speed needed to get a low-light picture.
Take a photo of your kids against the sky to create a cool silhouette effect or use the light from the pumpkin to give a spooky glow to your child's face.
Set your camera right for night
Most of your Halloween photos will be taken at night, so switch to night mode to make the most of the available light. Night mode adjusts the camera settings for low-light conditions, allowing for a slightly longer exposure.
On Kodak cameras, there are two night modes. Night Portrait should be used to take pictures of people or animals. Night Landscape should be used for scenery or shots of people far away.
When photographing in low light, images are prone to camera shake. To avoid blur, press the shutter button gently and smoothly or use a tripod for these shots. You can also use self-timer mode to minimize the chance of shaking the camera as you take the picture.
Use natural light
To get some great pictures (and a head start on the candy!) get outside early. In late afternoon, you'll get golden, glowing light; dusk will give you a spookier look, while still allowing enough light for photos.
Watch the sunlight. A really bright day can cause squinting and harsh shadows. Consider using the fill-flash to capture your favorite faces perfectly.
On cloudy days, fill-flash can also be used to brighten up people's faces and make them stand out. Be sure to also take pictures without the flash.
Shoot your Jack-O-Lanterns right
Carving a bigger opening for eyes or mouth on your pumpkin will cast more light, giving you a better photograph. And the bigger the pumpkin, the bigger the holes!
Once carved, capture the eerie glow of your Jack-O-Lanterns. Turn off your camera's flash and let the natural orange light take over. When photographing in low-light without a flash, your camera's shutter will stay open longer. This means that to avoid blur, you have to keep the camera very still. Use a tripod for extra sturdiness.
To safely brighten the light in your pumpkin, use a flashlight or other battery operated light source. Don't use candles because the open flame is dangerous. Make sure to adjust your angle so you don't see any of the light directly through the pumpkin's eyes or mouth.
If the glow from the pumpkin isn't enough, play around with other available light. Try turning on porch lights or lamps in adjacent rooms. You can also ask a helper to shine a flashlight ON your pumpkin like a spotlight.
Also try taking the picture outside around dusk to take advantage of natural light and set the perfect mood.
Create a ghostly picture
Know someone who doesn't believe in ghosts? Create photographic proof - create a ghostly picture using your own camera. The results are frighteningly good.
Set the camera exposure to 8 seconds.
Have the subject remain in the shot for 5 seconds, then duck out.
This will create a double exposure, making their image appear transparent.
Experiment with this technique - try having the subject move VERY SLOWLY as you photograph them, this will give the appearance of a ghost on the move.
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