Kids and Flashbulbs
Have You Shocked and Awed Them?
Have you ever noticed if your child has been surprised and shocked by the camera flash? Kids and flashbulbs don't mix well early on in childhood development. Think of how a flash might have looked or will be looking to them from their point of view.
If your child has ever balked or flinched when you have gone to pick up your camera or automatically closed their eyes when you have said "watch the birdie", it is because they were anticipating a blinding flash. Maybe the experience has been unsettling to them and you haven't noticed. (Did you just get a "flash" of insight?)
You Can Reduce Flash Fears
Make it fun to smile for the camera by preparing them for the flash or making a game between kids and flashbulbs.
Break them in slowly with flashbulb games. You can snap a photo off to the side of an infant (and delete the photo later) and see how they react. Determine their agitation level before you snap their photo straight on. You might just consider day shots with lots of natural light near windows if they are reacting too negatively and turn off the flash and let the camera compensate for lower lighting.
Take older infants or toddlers into the room where you will be taking their photo and have them play with the room lights with you. Hold them up to the light switch and make a game of flipping on and off the room's lights. Get them to laugh during the "on" times with a kind of "peek-a-boo" feel and limit any dark time that might scare them too much. Have someone take a photo of you both being silly together.
Brainstorm about your child's interests. Any Power Ranger or Transformer fans that see "shazaam" type flashes on their favorite shows everyday? Yell "bang" or "zap" and see what their reactions are. "Phasers on stun" would be a bit outdated, but you get the idea.
Think "showtime" for budding stars. "Glitz and glamour" trends in today's entertainment might have captured your child's interest. This will help them be less afraid of the flash and they may, in fact, welcome it. Have them act as their favorite star and they'll eat up the attention the flash may add at that point.
Have them turn the camera and flash on you! Show them that you don't mind the camera being flashed at you (or at least fake it well) and that it makes you laugh and smile big for the camera.
Red eye reduction modes are confusing for kids and adults alike. Its that setting on your camera that makes a strobe effect flash that is designed to get your subject's pupils a bit more constricted to reduce red eyes in photos. Have your subject look slightly off camera or look up at a
birdie
or turn on more lights around them and use the normal flash. If you do favor the "red eye" flash, (or if your camera automatically does it), let your subjects know it will be the "disco" effect so they are prepared.
After snapping a shot of a group of family or friends, yell "hold it, don't anybody move!" Take a second to review your photo to make sure no one blinked. You might have a keepsake on your hands and you can fix it with five more seconds of patience from all parties.
Do not OVERDO it. Remember, you don't have to take a photo of every gift or capture every moment at parties. Posing for a camera stops the fun that's going on for most ages. "Wait, hold up that present again" will have them disliking a camera in a hurry and perhaps with lasting results.
Finally, if you have the flash off, let your child in on it so they know what to expect and try asking them whether they want it on or not. (If their age is appropriate, put them in control.) Communication and acknowledgment of potential problems between kids and flashbulbs will help you reduce any fear or anxiety on behalf of your little one and help to create a fun atmosphere when you have your camera out and ready.
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