See Halloween in a new light and create unforgettable photo stories

On Halloween Eve, social networking sites are overflowing with genre-breaking photos. From figuratively carved pumpkins to spooky-looking candy and themed makeup, the flow of the beautiful and the horrible never ends in October. However, this does not mean that the subject is exhausted: after the sun goes down at any fall party there is a lot of exciting stuff going on. Maybe you’ll be the one to bring out the Halloween special just like any other?

Canon Ambassador Ekaterina Mukhina specializes in shooting weddings and other events. She shared her tips on how to shoot professionally and not to repeat the fall holiday season.

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Look for new subjects

• On Halloween Eve, the amazing is everywhere, but you can’t find interesting stories just sitting at home. The more parties you attend, the more likely you are to catch something really scary or unusual through your lens.
• Of course, the main thing is to have a good holiday, but keep your camera handy. If the best part happens when you’re relaxed and you’ve stopped filming, that would be a shame.
• It’s easy to fall into cliché when photographing Halloween, so try to choose something unexpected. Be sure to talk to everyone you photograph so you can learn more about each person and their costume to highlight the most important things in the photo.

Let your imagination run wild

• The best stories come from places you never expect. Of course you have to have an approximate idea of what you’re going to shoot, and be prepared. But don’t get hung up on the “required program,” rather let the inspiration go free.
• Fanciful shadows from candles and lanterns help to create a special mystical atmosphere.
• Take pictures in different locations, altering the angle and exposure.
• Don’t be afraid of close-ups: facial expressions make your photos more expressive. No one’s expecting Halloween to be a formal portrait, so you can experiment all you want.

Don’t chase perfection

• No need to waste time trying to get the perfect composition. Shoot for fun: The more pictures you take, the better your chances are of catching some good shots. Every “mistake” can work in your favor-for instance, blurry pictures look more mysterious.
• Halloween is a holiday where everyone shows his or her personality. Don’t let anyone pose for a photo, or you’ll lose your naturalness. Just take your picture while everyone else is having fun, and you’d better not let the models see you.
• Leave some loose ends – let the audience come up with their own story.

Technical details

Can’t get the shot you want without preparation. Decide which camera and lens you will use. Be sure to bring a flash or LED flashlight. The party can last until dawn, so don’t forget extra batteries and memory cards!

• If you want the freedom of movement, a fixed focal length lens comes in handy: it lets you easily change the background and angle.
• If you are dreaming about capturing a great number of subjects, then the best choice is focal length of 35mm. With him, you can take large-format shots, telling the whole story in one shot.
• When the party starts after sunset, you can’t count on much light. Note your ISO and aperture values. The wider the aperture, the more light it lets in.
• If you don’t like taking pictures with a flash, an LED video light can help. It’s easy to do classic Halloween portraits: a few interesting spots of light, shaped shadows, a background darker than the foreground.
• If you’re used to and comfortable with flash, try increasing the focal length of the flash to make the center of the picture stand out. And you can turn down the shutter speed to make the backgrounds darker and deeper.

For more photography tips and information, visit the canon website