Komputer Klinic: How to take great Christmas photos

I bet you're planning to take plenty of family photos this Christmas. Will you take the same ole washed out pictures? Will your kids once more look like little devils with their red eyes? Or do you want to knock the family's socks off?

OK. Even Mathew Brady didn't wow anybody with Christmas photos. So the kids won't lose their socks. But you can still take wonderful Yule pictures.

Much of the following information applies to any camera. Some of it encourages you to use your settings. If you're not sure what your camera can do, check your manual. Even inexpensive cameras have some adjustable settings.

TAKE PHOTOS OUTSIDE

Indoor lighting can trick your camera. Low-light photos appear overly warm and yellowish. Flash washes out subjects and causes a cold, bluish tint. So take your photos outside when possible. Morning or late afternoon light is the most flattering. Then use the camera's flash to eliminate shadows on subjects' faces.

To capture Christmas lights, shoot in the evening before it gets dark. This will help you properly expose your photograph. You'll see both the lights and your subject clearly.

FILL THE FRAME

Distracting backgrounds are the bane of many photographs. So fill the frame with your subject. This draws viewers' eyes to the subject.

Of course, you'll want to capture some of the background. So use background (or foreground) elements to frame your subject.

ATTENTION TO APERTURE

Many people don't pay attention to aperture size. But doing so will greatly improve your shots. I recommend aperture priority mode for your photos.

You can adjust the size of the lens opening for effect. Use a small aperture (large f-stop) for photos at the dinner table. Guests seated far away are just as clear as those seated nearer.

Large apertures (small f-stop) blur the foreground and background, creating narrow focus range. Distracting backgrounds are minimized. You can capture Christmas lights for a pleasingly blurry background.

TAKE CANDID PHOTOS

Use continuous (or burst) mode to capture the kids opening gifts. That way you won't miss a single candid moment.

If possible, use a tripod and set the camera to take pictures periodically. Some newer cameras incorporate intervalometers functions for taking shots at timed intervals. Otherwise you'll need an intervalometer. Remotes for advanced cameras sometimes include intervalometers. Expect to pay upwards of $100.

KEEP PORTRAITS SIMPLE

Talk to your subjects while you photograph them. This will help them relax. Your photographs will reveal your subject's personality.

Don't be afraid to get on the ground. Shoot kids at eye level. You'll get natural shots with a better perspective of facial expressions.

BEFORE-AND-AFTER SHOTS

Take plenty of pictures throughout the day. This increases your chance of getting good ones. And take pictures before and after the celebrations. These shots will add to your memories.

Finally, don't spend too much time behind the camera. Take time to enjoy the holiday!