Halloween is my favorite time of the year. The weather is starting to cool off, time for bonfires and I just love seeing all the kids dressed up for trick or treating. While Halloween offers tons of make believe fun, it also brings safety risks.
Carving Safety:
Let young children draw faces on pumpkins with art supplies and leave any carving to adults. If using candles be sure to place pumpkins on a sturdy surface away from flammable objects. Never leave candles unattended. My recommendation is the fake tea lights that run on batteries or the strobe lights designed for pumpkins, much safer options.
Costumes:
If you buy or make your costumes here are a few tips. Use bright colors and flame retardant materials. Be sure children have reflective material on costume and bag for trick or treating or attach lights and/or glow sticks so they can be seen. Also be sure the costume is the right fit, be sure they can layer in case its cold but not so big that it cause tripping hazards. If possible skip the masks, they obstruct vision and make it hard to breath.
Trick Or Treating:
Accompany children when out around the neighborhood. Be sure everyone has a flashlight also. Review safety rules, including staying with group, staying on sidewalks, which houses to approach and to never go into a home. Before kids eat their candy be sure to look it over. If anything looks questionable throw it away.
If you are handing out candy you need to be prepared also. Be sure to remove any tripping hazards for trick or treaters. Be sure your lights are turned on. Be sure pets are put away if easily scared by loud noises or costumes. Consider handing out candy alternatives such as stickers, pencils, rubber insects, etc.
Driving:
If you happen to be out driving on Halloween be sure to watch for children. They will be darting out into the street with all the excitement that night.
Photo Tips:
Find points of interest - before snapping that photo ask what is the point of interest in this image. That is the item that will hold your attention.
Fill your frame - Halloween is a time for drama and you can add this to your images by getting in nice and close to your subject.
Give space to look into - when photographing people, leave space around their faces in the direction they are looking if they are not looking at you.
Don't forget the details - decorations, bags full of candy, carving the pumpkin, getting dressed in costumes, sleepy kids at the end of the night, etc.
Shooting in Low Light - All the real Halloween action seems to happen after dark. Avoid your flash to give your images that creepy dark feeling that you are actually seeing. You can increase your iso or slow down your shutter to get good exposure, also use a large aperture to let in the most light. Diffusing your flash is also helpful. You can cover it with colored cellophane to add a creepy feel to your images to product that glow. You will want to test this before Halloween so you are comfortable shooting with it!
Jack-o-lanterns - to get good photos I suggest adding extra candles inside to give off extra light. Take multiple shots at different exposures to find the one that looks the best. Avoid flashes. Play with different setting to get the feel you are looking for.
I hope these tips come in handy and I cant wait to see everyone's Halloween photos!
