4 H Pictures
How To Get Blue!

Our homeschool club always had a great selection of 4 H pictures at the fair. That's because we had the best 4 H Club leader...Grandma! She was very influential in assisting our members achieve a number of blue, merit, and state awards. I mean that sincerely, not just because she's my mother-in-law but because she loved working with the children and they loved being with her.

Do you have a 4-H project picture that's begging to be on a Web page? You can upload it here!

This is Laura (16) standing next to her photos that she took to the fair. The silhouette has the black ribbon because it was selected to go to State. Emily (15) earned an Award of Merit for her rose close-up.

Grandma covered a number of things. Here are a few tips and ideas to get you started:

• Hold the camera steady for still shots or use a tripod.


• Get in close to your subject without cutting anything off!


• Do not take a picture into the sun.


• Pan the camera along for an action shot so that it blurs the background and not your subject.


• Trick shots are fun. Have someone in the foreground hold their hand out flat while someone in the distance (stands) on that person's hand. That person can also be holding a bottle making it look like they're inside it!
  

• Shoot from different locations.


• Take a lot of pictures, digital cameras make it easy!


• Read the Member's Manuals: "Adventures With Your Camera" and "Exploring Photography". These are available to any member wanting to take some great 4-H pictures.


• Side Note - Be sure to give value to your photos when doing your PFR.

Looking for more helpful ideas? Terry Holliday has great tips and techniques for creating a pleasing composition.

Below are examples of how to mount your 4 H pictures for the fair. Annette (9) received a Merit for her kitty picture.

The children tried to have a variety of entries, but these seemed to be their favorites:

Portraits (Be sure to include silhouettes and siblings!)
Trick (See explanation above.)
Historical (Field trips are great for getting these.)
Buildings (Vacations and the neighborhood give you ample opportunity.)
Collage (Great for using up pictures that don't seem to fit anywhere else.)
Nature (Try to shoot seasonal changes, flowers, and trees.)
People (Get out your hats and have fun!)
Action (Bubble blowing, swinging, jump roping, and bicycling should get you started!)
Still Life (Toys make a great inanimate object.)
Animals (Get photos of your pets or take a trip to a farm.)