How to Add Fireflies to A Photo

Fireflies, lightning bugs, bioluminescent creatures of the night, (whatever you call them): they are fascinating creatures to catch and watch. Not to mention it is a staple of childhood! I remember staying up late and catching them as a child, and I love to watch my kids as they chase them all over the yard.  We used a pickle jar, and punched holes in the top of the lid.  It is easiest to catch them when they land on the ground!  They are hard to see, which is also part of the fun of catching them.  If you live in the Midwest, this is a MUST!  

Firefly catching, Columbus, Indiana, child photographer

However, in pictures they just don’t show up so well.  Not to mention it is not that easy to snap a shot when they are all lighting up.  In order to make that picture as magical as it is for your child you will need an overlay! That is how I have created these pictures. I used an overlay in photoshop and set the layer to SCREEN.

Columbus, IN photographer tutorial example

Then I hit ctrl/j to duplicate the layer as much as I want.  I use the shortcut ctrl/t to transform and adjust the size. Then I place them in varying areas and sizes to add depth and atmosphere. The closer they are to your camera the bigger and blurrier you will need to make them.  I have created my own shortcut in photoshop to add a Gaussian blur.  But you can get there by going to filter>blur> Gaussian blur, and then blur to your taste.  I also lowered the opacity on some to make them blend better.

Columbus, IN photographer, example for Gaussian Blur

Remember the rule of odds if you place them close together or in the jar. To read more about the rule of odds, go here. This adds visual interest and helps to move your eyes throughout the picture. 

Fireflies in the pickle jar, Columbus, Indiana, Midwest picture ideas

I have made this overlay available for download for free! I added some noise to the overlay, because chances are if you are out catching lightning bugs it is going to be very low light. I had to increase my ISO to a very high number in order to capture anything and keep my shutter speed reasonable. Make sure to set the overlay to SCREEN. I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know if you do! Please share your pictures with me!  I would love to see what everyone comes up with!

 

Download the Firefly overlay here.

Lightning bugs, Columbus, Indiana Family Photographer

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Your Vacation Guide to the Smokey Mountains

If you have not been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee you need to go!  The smokey mountains are beautiful and there is so much to do! My husband and I took a short getaway recently without the kids, but there are plenty of family friendly things to do.  The cabins are always reasonably priced, and they are located with beautiful views and minutes away from downtown things to do. The drive through the park alone is worth it! There are tons of places to pull off and admire the view.  

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Travel Photography, Landscape photography,

We went to Clingman’s dome.  The hike is a paved way to an amazing view! It is somewhat steep but very doable! There is a tower at the top and the view is beautiful.

Clingmans dome, travel photo, Gatlinburg, TN
Clingman’s dome, Travel Photography, landscape photography, Gatlinburg, TN

We stopped by Elkmont ghost town. I found it to be a photographer’s dream! Full of interesting angles and textures. I could’ve spent hours there exploring. We visited midday so the sun didn’t give the pictures the atmosphere it deserves.  Maybe this spot deserves a revisit sometime in our future, but maybe that’s just me.

We went up the Gatlinburg Skylift park, where you ride a ski lift up the mountain.  There is a suspension bridge at the top which has glass floor panels in the middle.  It is not for the faint of heart if you are afraid of heights.  I didn’t have my big camera up there, which was unfortunate.  I was terrified of dropping it!

We drove on the Tail of the Dragon! Which is 318 curves in 11 miles.  Let me tell you, I never want to do that again! I was so carsick afterwards! If you get motion sick this one is not for you. But it was a once in a lifetime experience that was worth it.  However, NEVER AGAIN!!!

Panning Car, Gatlinburg, TN Travel Photography,

On the way home we went by Cumberland falls.  This was a worthwhile stop! The falls are beautiful, and it was a good break from driving.

The weather was absolutely perfect the whole time we were there! However, on the way back we were hit hard with rain. I took pictures out the window the whole time. They turned out to be some of my favorite landscapes. The sky was rolling! I loved every minute.

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Self portrait, Columbus, Indiana Photographer

5 Must Have Photos for Summertime!

1.       Icecream!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICECREAM! This is one that just screams childhood. Homemade popsicles work great as well. Keep in mind what your child’s favorite icecream is, and then try to dress them in a color that would complement it! For instance, if you know your kid loves mint chocolate chip, dress her in pink and go with pastels! Or Red for a complimentary color.   Does your child love rainbow sprinkles? Dress him or her in bright colors to make them pop! Then hand them that cone and make sure to capture all that sticky goodness as it melts down their arms!

Summer time photo ideas Columbus Indiana family photographer

2.     Kite Flying!

As the winds change and the weather gets hotter, it’s a perfect time to capture Kite flying! Use the kites in creative ways to frame your subject. You can get a low perspective to show just how high that kite is flying.  Use a quick shutter speed and make sure not to blow any highlights if you shoot in midday. Keep the storytelling in mind as well as composition.

Callihan photography, Columbus, IN 47201 family photographer

3.       Strawberries, and other summer fruit!

Watermelon, strawberries, oranges, cherries, blueberries, and peaches! Go to your local u-pick farmers market and make sure to capture the fun!  This is the perfect time of year to think about seasonal food. If you garden- even better!! Capture all the details involved with picking, washing, eating, and drooling! Yum!

Columbus, Indiana photographer, strawberries summer photo ideas

4.       Parks!

Whether it’s national parks or just your local playground, summer is a perfect time to freeze all those moments.  Get brave and take your camera out in public!  (I’m encouraging that as much for you as I am for myself!) Slides and swings provide a nostalgic scene or childhood you will not want to forget.  Consider thoughtfully how high those monkey bars are, or how fast they jump out of the swing. There are so many great story telling opportunities.

Family photographer, Columbus, Indiana, parks and rec photo ideas

5.     Flowers!

This one is so simple, but there are flowers everywhere in the summer! My favorite are phlox and cosmos for photos. But you can use any you see fit! Put your subject against a beautiful backdrop of flowers or get a photo of your child picking those weeds.  Set up those flowers for your own still life or try your hand at some macro photography.  Whether it’s your child making a wish on a dandelion or picking a handful of those beautiful flowers you just planted this spring, you will want to remember it! Don’t let life just slip by, slow it down with photography!

Flower photography, Columbus, Indiana family photographer, child photographer, details, ideas for summer

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