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Greetings Fellow Photographers!

Graduation season has arrived! I can already hear “Pomp and Circumstance” playing over and over as hundreds (or thousands) of graduates march toward their diplomas. Most graduates never thought this day would come, and they may need the pictures to prove it, so follow these tips to capture this amazing milestone!

Graduation Announcements

Before the last exam is complete and the graduation ceremony begins, you may want to consider sending graduation announcements to friends and family. Try taking a formal portrait of your graduate to include in the announcements. Grandma will love it. Or, take the portrait to the next level by incorporating your graduate’s personality. Graduation is a time to celebrate, so have fun with this photo shoot! Use funky outfits, hobbies, poses, or anything else that helps the photograph express the graduate’s personality at this important time in his or her life. Once you have the photo, browse the cards in your online photo account to create your own custom graduation announcement or party invitation.

Graduation Day

Before heading to the ceremony, be sure to take a few pictures of your graduate dressed in the cap and gown. You may not have a chance to capture this photograph after the ceremony; there will be a lot of celebrating with friends and family! Many cap and gown outfits are black, so keep in mind that the color black can really throw off your flash. Take the picture outdoors or somewhere where there is a lot of natural light available to avoid having to use your flash. You may also want to use this time to take portraits of your graduate with the family.

Once you are at the graduation venue, look around and visualize the flow of the ceremony. Your seat is usually not the best spot for photographing your graduate on stage receiving his or her diploma, so pick another angle in advance (be sure to give yourself ample time to decide). Try moving to the side or behind the stage to capture your graduate’s face as soon as the diploma is handed to him or her. Many ceremonies will also designate photography areas, so be sure to scout those out as well. When your graduate reaches the stage, take as many photos as you can: the approach, the walk, the handshake, receiving the diploma, and the triumphant turn of the tassel. Keep shooting as he or she walks back to the seat and celebrates with surrounding friends.

After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony is over, take pictures of your graduate with the family (if you have not already done so), and especially, with friends and fellow graduates. Most graduates are happy to pose with their diplomas and their friends. You’ll likely get some goofy faces and high-fives, but it is their moment, so keep shooting and let them enjoy it. After all, it is time to celebrate! Graduation is an incredible achievement, and now you have the photos to help relive the experience. The photos you take on Graduation day are great to use on thank you cards or gifts. Check your online account to view all the fantastic options you have!

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

In this installment of Digi’s workshop, we will take a look at a photo and discuss what could be done to improve it. You can see that the photo has a lot of dead space above the subject. The reason this happens so often is because the Auto Focus on most cameras is normally in the center, so people tend to place their subjects in the center of the photo as well.

To improve this photo, center the subject’s face and press the button halfway down to engage the Auto Focus mechanism, then readjust to cut off all the dead space on top (or on the bottom or side). The subject will remain in focus and you will have less clutter in your image.