Halloween Photography

Get uncluttered shots

• Whether photographing costumes, decorations, parties or Halloween parades, pick the most important facet and zero in on it by moving in close. By doing this, you'll avoid a common photography error: cluttered pictures with no discernable subject or not enough detail.
  
  
• You can also narrow the focus of your photos with color. Try snapping a field of orange pumpkins, for example.

Add extra light inside pumpkins

To take pumpkin pictures that really shine, you need to let the light through-and add extra wattage. Try these tips:

• Cut extra-large openings for eyes and big, jagged smiles.
  
  
• Use two or three candles inside the pumpkin. Or, place a flashlight in the pumpkin.
  
  

Take photos at twilight

Plan to take pictures in the hour leading up to sundown. This time of day is ideal because there's still some light in the sky, which means you can take pictures without a flash. Ideally, use a tripod during twilight hours.

Other ways to deal with low-light conditions include:

• Turn off auto-flash: Your camera's automatic flash will come on at night, but for better results, turn it off and use a flashlight to illuminate spooky subjects from the side or below.
  
  
• Use the Night Portrait setting on your HP camera, which uses flash and a long exposure to avoid blurry results. Set your camera on a tripod for best results.

Terrific trick or treat shots

Halloween photo party favors