Taking a Great Halloween Pictures

Pope Gregory III started it all in 739 A.D. when he officially designated All Saints Day, but he wouldn't recognize Halloween as we celebrate it today. It's become a night of fantasy for children of all ages, and with its pumpkins, costumes, and trick-or-treating it's also a great opportunity for you to capture the spirit(s) with your camera.


"It's easy to turn this night of fantasy into permanent picture memories," says Chuck DeLaney, Dean of the New York Institute of Photography, "but you have to follow two simple guidelines or, excuse the pun, you won't have a ghost of a chance."

"The most important guideline," says DeLaney, "is to know exactly what you want to be the subject of your picture. Then, when you look through the viewfinder of your camera, make your subject the most important thing in the frame and try not to show anything that distracts from it. The second guideline is to try to capture the 'feeling' of the occasion too."

For example, if you are shooting a jack-o-lantern, it's your subject. Make that clear by moving in close and almost filling the frame with the pumpkin. Keep the background simple so it doesn't distract from your subject. Hint: To make this picture even more interesting, include the faces of the kids or Dad or Mom hovering over it. Get down low so that you see their faces looming over the top of the pumpkin. Careful now, you don't want to cut any heads off, even on Halloween.

Now the second guideline. To capture the eerie "feeling" of Halloween, shoot at night using "ghoul" lighting. Rule One is to turn off your strobe! You don't want pictures with its cold, clear light. Rather, you're looking for eerie lighting that captures the "spirit" of Halloween.

Hint: To capture the glow of a jack-o-lantern, don't light just one candle inside the pumpkin. Two or three lit candles will produce a far better picture.

When you take a picture of your favorite goblin in costume, have a helper shine a flashlight from off to one side or from below, the way we all did as kids. This is "ghoul" lighting and it will produce wonderfully scary lighting in your pictures. The biggest mistake amateurs make is to shoot from too far back. So get in close and fill the frame. You don't have to shoot from head-to-toe. Rather, you're usually better off if you fill the frame with just the head and shoulders. And bend down low to kid's-eye level. Don't shoot from adult-level.

Hint: If your kids wears a mask, take two shots - one with the mask on and one without so that in future years you'll be able to identify the little devil behind the mask (and you may be able to use the picture for your Xmas card). And don't forget fido. Put a mask or silly hat on the family pet, and shoot - but fast. Fido or Cleo will be too embarrassed to suffer this indignity for more than a few seconds.

"The key to good Halloween pictures," concludes DeLaney, "is to capture the spirit - the feeling - of the occasion. The spirit of Halloween is ghoulish fun and silliness. So for great Halloween pictures, know what you want the subject of each of your pictures to be, and make it important in the frame. Then add 'mood' that captures the spirit of Halloween by the ghoulish way you light your pictures or the silly way you pose your subjects."

Fog Machines

Nothing's spookier than an eerie, dense, cut-with-a-knife fog on Halloween night. Fog makes a perfect prop to enhance your Halloween decorations and set the atmosphere for some spine-tingling fun. Most of the time, we're not fortunate enough to have low-lying, natural fog, so we need to use other means to produce it.

You don't need homemade fog or dry ice anymore for simulated fog. Just a couple of years ago, most people wouldn't consider buying a fog machine because they were too expensive. Dry ice aside, these machines are now cheap and practical.

The most common types of fog machines are water based, producing fog with a glycol and water solution called "fog fluid." The fluid is poured into the machine and when the machine warms up, the fluid is pumped out of the machine, producing thick clouds of fog. Most (cheaper) machines cycle, meaning they fog - stop - and begin fogging again after reheating.

How to Buy a Fog Machine

When buying a fog machine, look for one that comes with a timer that you can set to turn the machine off. Operating a machine that's out of fog fluid can harm your machine, so this is one way to save your machine - and your time. Better yet, some machines come with a remote control that comes in handy at busy parties.

Not all fog machines are recommended for both outdoor and indoor use. Rain, mist and dew can damage an indoor machine so you may want to consider paying a little more and buying one that can be used for both. For larger areas, you may need a larger machine. Or, you can set up two or more mini foggers to cover the area.

Don't buy a "fly-by-night" brand or you may not be able to find the right fog fluid the following year. Fog fluid is not interchangeable and most machines require fluid of the same brand. Buying a popular brand insures that you'll be able to find replacement "juice" very easily, whether it's at your local store or online. Shop early because stores sell out quickly.

Ideal Conditions

For outdoor use, a still night is ideal. Wind, or even a light breeze will have an adverse affect on your fog, putting a damper on your Halloween party. It's best to place your machine underneath an overhang, or somewhere to help block rain and wind. The machine will get hot, so make sure you set it on a sturdy, fire-resistant surface. Experiment with lighting to create surroundings that are sure to give anyone a second thought about entering.

You can use a fog machine indoors, in fact that is what most of the mini machines are for. Keep in mind that you're likely to find a residue on everything it comes into contact with, so you may want to cover any antiques, expensive furniture or electronics. Keep your rooms well ventilated to allow air to flow freely. If you're anticipating any guests with asthma or breathing problems, fake fog can aggravate the problem. In that case, it's a good idea to play it safe and run the machine outdoors.

Why Not Dry Ice?

Dry ice is now the less popular option as it is costly and is more "high maintenance." It needs to be handled very carefully because exposure to skin can damage the tissue. Up until a few years ago, dry ice was a good choice as fog machines were expensive. Still, it may be the best thing for commercial displays, haunted houses and large "graveyard" areas.

How to Make a Scarecrow

Traditionally, scarecrows were set up in gardens and fields to keep unwanted birds -- particularly crows, away from the crop. Now people are making scarecrows for their annual autumn Halloween decorations. Instructions are easy!

Homemade scarecrows can be quite fashionable and eye-catching. Choose bold colors and set up a display with corn stalks and bales of hay. Get creative, get the kids involved, use your imagination and make a scary scarecrow! The more menacing he looks, the more of a conversation piece he will be.

Supplies for Your Homemade Scarecrow

* Long-sleeved shirt
* Old pair of pants or jeans - preferably with patches
* Old pair of socks or boots
* Gardening gloves
* Straw hat
* Plenty of baling twine or string
* Safety pins
* A pillowcase or pumpkin for the head
* Fiberfill, newspapers, rags, or straw for stuffing
* Pencil, paint and markers for face
* Stakes (optional)

Assembly

To assemble your scarecrow, firmly tie the ends of the pants and sleeves on the shirt and stuff them with your choice of stuffing. Stuff the socks and gloves and tie on the ends. Fasten the socks (or boots) and gloves to the pants and shirt on the inside with safety pins (or bent paper clips.) Tuck the shirt into the pants.

If you're using a pumpkin for the head, it's best to carve it into a jack-o-lantern to take off some of the weight. It will take some wire to fasten it. A pillowcase works better and is far easier to attach to the body. Use a pencil and draw on the face. Follow up with the paint and markers to give him facial features. Then stuff the pillowcase and fasten it to the body with safety pins.

Top off your scarecrow with a hat. A straw hat gives it a classic look. Fasten the hat firmly so it doesn't blow off on windy days.

You can sit your scarecrow on the bales, or prop him up against them. Consider attaching him to some stakes with a hammer and nails to have him in an upright position.

Now, give your scarecrow decoration a name and enjoy. When the season is over, store him in a dry place for next Fall.