Whether you are already the family photographer or simply aspire to be, Capturing Memories: Your Family Story in Photographs was written to help you improve your technique and make correct equipment buying decisions. Photo expert Maureen Taylor walks the reader through better framing techniques, editing, choosing the right camera, film and digital photography, and much, much more. This book is about more than the camera and composition, its about creating lasting memories.
As family historians, its important to remember the living as well as the past. This book will help you plan and execute the perfect family photo. The book also covers ways to display and highlight your photos and get them into the hands of family who will enjoy them. For the genealogist, the book also covers photographing tombstones, heirlooms, and documents. Capturing Memories is a complete guide to the world of photography for the family.
Table of Contents
Introduction
- Stop, Shoot, and Save
- Camera-Carrying Habits
- An Everyday Opportunity
A Camera for Everyone
- Needs and Wants
- Skill Level
- Budget
- Developing a Budget
- Do Your Research
- Online Sources of Information
- Used vs. New
- Evaluating Cameras
- Reading the Specifications: Terminology
- The Last Decision: Warranties
Family Photo Basics: Processing and Printing
- Film and Formats
- Editing
- Printing
- Buying a Printer
- Reading the Specifications: Photo Printers
- Activity: Create a Family Photo Album
Documenting the Present for the Future
- Become the Family Photographer
- What to Photograph
- Label Your Photographs
- Types of Projects
- Activity: Create a Family Photo Archive
- Organize Your Photographs and Data
- Storing Prints and Negatives
- Sharing Images
Taking Better Pictures
- Seeing the Final Photo
- Read the Manual
- Practice Makes Perfect
- Composition
- Activity: Composing a Shot
- Common Errors
- Taking Better Portraits
- Special Case: Groups
- References
- Photo-Editing Improvements
- Activity: Create a Photo Biography
Photographing Gravestones, Heirlooms, and Documents
- Gravestones
- Preparing for the Trip
- Photo Basics
- Technique
- Background
- Other Ways to Improve the Quality of the Photograph
- Documentation
- Activity: Create a Family Memorial with Photographs
- References
- Heirlooms, Documents, and Photographs
- Preparing for the Trip
- Basic Requirements
- Accessories
- Getting Ready
- Conservation Help
- Documentation
- Photographing Microfilm
- Activity: Make a Family Scrapbook
- References
Get the Whole Family Involved
- Photo Sharing
- Questions to Consider
- Sites to Try
- Photo Projects: Anyone Can Do
- Activity: Create a Photo Bulletin Board
- Activity: Display Your Photos
- Activity: Express Yourself with a Family Website
- References
- Activities for Family Reunion Fun
- Activity: Produce a Family Magazine or Newsletter
A Family in Motion
- Home Movies—Then and Now
- Digital Video Cameras
- Tell the Story
- Lighting
- Composition
- Sound Considerations
- Labeling
- Editing Footage
- Activity: Family History Video
- Transfer Old Formats to Digital
- Resources
Ethical Considerations
- Ethics and Family Photographs
- Photo Etiquette
- Copyright
- Public Domain
- Rules to Follow
- Permissions vs. Copyright
- Family Photographs Taken by Professional Photographers
- Obtaining Permission
- Copyright Your Photographs?
- References
Digital Cameras
- Advantage
- Disadvantages
- Purchasing Criteria
- Making a Decision
- Purchasing Options
- Basic Rules of Usage
- Shooting and Saving Photos
- Reading the Specifications: Digital Cameras
- References
Film Cameras
- Variety, Variety, Variety
- Single-Use Cameras
- Instant Cameras
- Compact Cameras
- Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras
Appendix: List of Album Suppliers
Index
Capturing Memories: Your Family Story in Photographs is available from Family Root Publishing; Item #:TP039.