Fine Art Photography

Put Humor In Your Shots

We've all heard the expression “lighten up” and “don't take life so seriously” as common phrases of how best to deal with life's day-to-day stresses. And we all know how important it is to have and maintain a good sense of humor to get through pressure-filled days.

Have you ever thought about “lightening up” on your photography by putting some humor in your shots? Doing so can be refreshing and will add variety to your photographic portfolio.

You can put humor in your photographs two ways: intentionally planning or stumbling onto a funny situation.

Planned humor can begin at home with your children and family pets. You can dress up your little girl in mom's high heels and makeup or pose your Labrador on the piano bench ready to play a Mozart concerto! Have a cat and goldfish? How about setting your feline alongside the goldfish bowl and then waiting for that hungry, lip-smacking look in his eyes. Or the next time grandma and grandpa come to visit, think up some slapstick routine involving the family that you can capture on film.

The second type of humor photography requires more spontaneity on your part because most often the action is in front of you almost before you know it. And unless you're ready, you may miss the shot.

At the completion of a recent workshop I taught at Michigan's DoubleJJ Ranch with photographers Jill Enfield and Rick Sammon, the ranch owner thought it would be a great photo op if we three posed atop his prized bull, Sir George. This wasn't just any bull, but a 2200 pound one with all the trimmings! We weren't up there very long but friend and photographer Jim Jurewicz was ready with his camera and captured this humorous and fun-filled picture.

Always try to be on the lookout for humor both with and without your camera. After all, lightening up is a real “snap”!