SUPER-SPOOKY HALLOWEEN PHOTOS

Posted by Mike Laker on October 19, 2009

From pretty princesses and scurvy pirates to creepy creatures and eerie decorations, there's no shortage of great photo ops on Halloween. Here are some tips to help you get some seriously scary pictures.

Tell the whole story. Don't just photograph your kid in their costume. That's just part of the story. Take a series of photos of your child getting ready – get in there when they're doing their makeup, putting on their costume, and heading out the door with their friends. Then, once they're back from trick-or-treating, take some shots of their candy all spread out on the table, of smeared makeup or damaged costumes. The memories are all in the details.

Photograph the details. Don't forget to take pictures of the decorations, carving the pumpkin, your kids' friends, before and after shots of parties, close-ups of food, etc.

Be dramatic. Get in nice and close and fill the frame with your subjects – it's a great way to punch up your shots. Play with perspective, too. Want your little monster to look extra creepy? Shoot her from below to make her look bigger and scarier. Or have your little vampire shine a flashlight onto his face from below for a little “ghoul lighting” (don't use your flash on this one).

Give them something to do. Why just tell them to stand there and say cheese? Let them have some fun by making their scariest faces, acting “in character” or lying down on the ground and pretending to be dead.

Tips on shooting in low light.

On Halloween, the real action happens after dark. Darkness can make picture-taking a little more challenging, especially if you don't want to use your flash (which can certainly take the mystery out of an image). If you want to take great shots, all you have to do is be prepared, and think about light sources in advance.

Avoid stark flash illumination. Turn off your flash and opt for one of these alternatives instead:
1. Increase your ISO (go with 400 or more). The larger your number, the more sensitive your image sensor is to light, which makes it easier to shoot in darkened conditions.
2. Use a tripod and decrease your shutter speed. The tripod will stabilize your camera so you can avoid blurring when you open up your shutter for longer periods.
3. Use a bigger aperture. This widens the hole in your lens and lets in more available light.
Diffuse your flash. If you have to use your flash, soften it a bit with coloured cellophane. Red will cast an eerie glow that looks great on Halloween.

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