Category: Photography Page 21 of 24

Have you heard of the Internet of Things? Even if you haven’t, you probably have heard of some of the technology included under this new category – thermostats you can set remotely, home security cameras you can monitor online, even digital WiFi cloud frames you can send photos to in an instant. All of these things fall under the new moniker of the Internet of Things – basically, it’s just another name for any WiFi connected devices other than the standard computers, phones, and tablets.

Tech gurus are raving about the changes the Internet of Things will bring to every aspect of modern life, from work to school to home. But since we’re all about the family here at Nixplay, we decided to share our take on how these connected devices will affect your family life. It just might surprise you!

More Control

It’s not hard to see how connected devices will give you more control over the experiences your family has, and the environment they live in. From being able to make sure the temperature is right when you all get home from work and school each evening, to having the ability to keep an eye on security if your older kids are home alone, remote access to important home systems gives you significantly more control over your family life.

More Freedom

The fact that most tech included in the Internet of Things can be controlled remotely means that you’re no longer tethered to a certain location or time when you want to get certain things done. You’re free to take care of whatever you need to do at any time, and in any place. This frees you from worries, as well, giving you the peace of mind that yes, you can lock the front door from your workplace, even if you forgot on your way out, or no, you don’t have to worry about that new babysitter, since you can keep an eye on her from your tablet the whole time you’re out.

More Focus on Family

Finally, all of this new technology allows families to renew their focus on – each other. When you’ve got a million worries and to-dos running through your head, even if they’re insignificant on their own, they add up, and take away from your focus. But when you know all your bases are covered, you can relax and devote your full attention to your family. Some Internet of Things tech even makes a focus on the family its main goal – like Nixplay’s WiFi photo frames. Our digital photo frames not only make precious family memories the centerpiece of any room, with the slideshow of your favorite pictures playing on a loop, they also allow families to connect, no matter how far apart they live, by allowing users to upload photos to family members’ frames remotely for instant display.

Giving families more control, more freedom, and more room in their lives to connect with each other, the Internet of Things is definitely a big step in the right direction. We hear so much about how technology can pull family members apart – it’s refreshing to know that there is a movement to use tech to bring people closer together, too. And we’re proud to be on the forefront of that movement. Check out our selection of WiFi Cloud Frames  to choose which ones you’ll give to family and friends.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.

We’ve all seen the standard family photo. The kids are well-behaved, the parents look polished, and the dog shines beneath the glow of a camera flash. But, are these the moments you want to display in your digital frame? Here are 6 family activities that can produce a memorable family photo op for your digital frame display.

1. Hike at Dawn
   We admit, the entire house may not be up for a hike at dawn, but it’s worth it. Fill up the coffee container, wear your best hiking clothes, and head to the park or nearby mountain range. Use the light from the morning sun to capture the perfect shot during your travels.
2. Outdoor Games
   Gather the family for a friendly game outside. Hit the soccer green, go up to bat on the baseball field, or suit up for flag football. You can assemble at the pitcher’s mound, or celebrate a victory in the end-zone. Either way, you’ll be ready for a fun-filled photo.
3. A Family 5K
   If your family likes to run, lace up for a photo you’ll want to go straight into your digital frame. Take pictures of your family at the starting line, or capture the victory you share when you cross the finish. Have any medals? Some props can make for an even better shot.
4. Snow Day
   Next time snow falls, be sure to grab the camera! You and your family can build a snowman together, taste the snowflakes, or hit the slopes for some snow day memories. Snow can be an elegant backdrop for your family photos. Whether your family plays outside the front door, skates on the local pond, or thrashes downhill on their sleds, be sure to capture every moment. Upload your favorite pictures to the cloud, so you can share your snow-filled shots with the ones you love.
5. Kitchen Fun
   Of all the rooms in your home, the kitchen reigns supreme when it comes to bringing family together. It is a place where family members gather, eat, do homework, play games, and pass on priceless culinary traditions. The kitchen is an ideal family activity photo op. Bring the family together to make Nana’s cookie recipe, trash the kitchen in style, or sit around the dining table for a family board game. You’re bound to make memories you can treasure for ages.
6. Museum Moments
   Wonderment makes for awe-inspiring photos. Take the family to a museum or art gallery. Snap photos near large creatures, and colorful creations. While your loved ones admire fascinating exhibits, eat beside wooly mammoths, or walk like the mummies, have your camera in-hand to capture every fun and quirky pose.

What is the Key to a Good Family Photo?

To take great family photography, consider these useful photography tips:

• Use natural light.
• Capture the unplanned moments.
• Use the vibrant colors around you to make faces pop.
• Use a tripod to capture the group.
• Allow your family to have fun, and be themselves.

Which family activities do you want in your digital photo frame? Nixplay WiFi Digital Frames let you create playlists of your favorite photos, access social media files, and connect frames to your smartphone. NIX Digital Frames (Non-WiFi) make great gifts, and they can accent the rooms in your home. Whatever activity you choose, you’ll be displaying them in style.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.

Are you tired of the same old family photos, featuring you and your little ones in white shirts, and an ocean backdrop? While these shots of your family’s perfect smiles and matching outfits may be the current trend, you should feel free to go against the grain. Why not take a different route, and create a family photo that is both amusing and original? Here are a few photography tips for family photographs, to make your pictures fun, and memorable:

Involve your Kids

Children are extremely creative, and have a natural ability to think outside the box. Let your little ones go into your closet, and see what they pull out first. How adorable and entertaining would it be to let your son wear Daddy’s tie and glasses, even though he’s still in diapers? Maybe your daughter would look darling in Mommy’s pearls, while still wearing her onesie. Your kids are bound to come up with some ideas worth sharing, and you’ll be able to spread the fun instantly with the Nixplay Mobile App.

Let Your Children Run Wild

Another option, also involving the kids, is to let them run free for a few minutes on their own. If you let your son run wild, he might do something hilarious that would look great on camera, like climbing a tree in the backyard, or giving his little sister a piggy-back ride. Shooting at the beach? A face plant in the sand could make for a comical shot. The same goes for a snowy scene, as well. Are you near a playground? Give your children free reign of the park’s equipment, and join them for some fun shots, and huge smiles on the slide.

Use Props to Build Your Own Scene

Parents can be very imaginative when building their own scene, and it doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, the simpler the props, the funnier the tone. If you have a newborn who is not yet capable of any major poses, why not wait until she is sound asleep, and create a scene around her. Use bed sheets and stuffed animals to make it look like she is in a jungle. Put an empty gallon of ice cream next to the baby so it looks like they’re in a food coma from too much Ben & Jerry’s. The possibilities are endless, and you can tap into your own sense of humor.

Photoshop for Laughs

If you want to be especially humorous, take a few shots of the family, and then work your Photoshop skills. You don’t have to be that tech savvy, either. Cut out parts of one photo, and paste them into another for a funny scene. For example, how funny would a traditional shot of your family look if it was placed alongside the Royal Family, or another famous face?  Maybe you could plant your family right in front of the Hollywood sign, or put them next to some flamingos at the zoo. The possibilities are endless, especially when you can use your Nixplay Edge to share the finished product.

Our entire line of NIX Digital Frames is ideal for displaying family photography, and then work your Photoshop skills. We also offer Nixplay WiFi Cloud Frames for those who want to instantly view photos without a memory card or stick. Visit our website, and find the frame that is right for you.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.

Photographs give us a valuable glimpse into the past. Even when our memories begin to fade, photographs give us a visual that can last a lifetime. Given their importance, it makes sense that everyone wants to look their best when a camera peeks around the corner. After all, photos don’t sit in dusty albums on the bookshelf anymore. They are shared with friends and family near and far, both on social media, and on digital WiFi cloud frames.With such innovation, you’ll want more than a few family photos to share. Here are some useful photography tips to help you take great family photography this winter season:

Avoid Posing and Forced Smiles

The best family photos are candid. They capture the quirky personality of your family members, as well as their natural interactions. To give your photos an authentic flair, let your family members interact with one another while you snap photos. Remind them to look at the camera every now and then, but avoid positioning them too much or forcing any smiles.

Declutter the Staging Area

Wherever you choose to take your family photos, make sure to declutter the area first. Remove items that may distract from the people in your photographs, and make sure to adjust the lighting for optimal photo taking. Once the area is ready, you can bring in the family, and start snapping photos right away!

Take a Lot of Pictures

Have you ever taken a selfie? If so, chances are you retook that selfie several times before you had a photo you liked enough to share on social media, and send to friends. The trick to taking great family photos is to take a lot of them! You’ll likely take many photographs that aren’t too great, but the more you take, the more you increase your chances of taking several exceptional family photos you’ll want to share. One of the best tips for family photographs is to take a lot of them! With today’s modern digital frames, there is no such thing as having too many photographs, either. Simply insert your USB or SD card into the frame, or add the photos to your WiFi Cloud Frame playlist. The frame will display all of your favorite photographs, quick and easy.

Use a Camera Remote

Want to be in the pictures too? Set your camera on a tripod, and use a remote to take each photo. Adjust the height and scope of the camera beforehand, and take a few test shots to make sure everyone fits comfortably into the frame. When taking the photos, remember to hide the remote in your pocket, or keep your hand behind another family member so it doesn’t show.

Family photos can bring your family closer together, while providing a treasured visual for far-away relatives that don’t get to see your family’s smiling faces every day. By using Nixplay WiFi cloud frames, you can display family photos that are sent directly from your smartphone or social media platform, no matter where you are in the world. Sharing your family’s joy and love has never been so easy.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.

Have you ever tried pet photography and wound up with a candid view of their backside?

Getting your pet to cooperate for a photoshoot can be tricky business, but these 6 pet photo ideas will help you get that perfect shot. After all, the family photo isn’t complete without them!

1. Know your pet’s personality

Where does your pet feel most comfortable?

Go to them where they’re comfortable and likely to stay put for a while and find a way to make that context interesting.

Maybe your cat loves napping near the window midday. Try catching a photo of them in the sunlight during the afternoon. If you want a playful shot of your dog, where does your dog like to play? The park? Your backyard? The basement?

Trying to get an action shot of your lazy cat or mellow photo of your hyperactive dog might result in you banging your head against a wall. Plan your shoot and fit it to your pet’s personality.

2. Get in close

One mistake many amateur photographers will make is to keep the context similar to how they might shoot a family member, forgetting that this is an entirely different situation. Your pet is probably smaller than a person and that means they need to be photographed differently.

Get closer. Don’t let the scenery swallow up your pet.

This will also help you figure out the best angles on your pet. It can be tricky. Many beginners struggle knowing where to focus. Pet photographer Josh Norem suggests you focus on the eyes. If they eyes are out of focus, the shot will never look right.

Not only will getting in close help to get the proportions right, you won’t see the emotion and special looks your pet gives if you’re too far away. The emotion on their face can be more difficult to read further out. Get in there!

3. Try a wide-angle lens

Get in close to capture the details and scale of your pet, but try a wide-angle lens. This will allow you to both get in close and create a little more context.

A wide-angle lens may also offer you some opportunities to get creative as you play with it, creating some fun distortion around the edges. Get a close-up of your pet’s face and get a little more of them in with this technique.

4. Get on your pet’s level

Much like the suggestion in step two, taking your pet’s proportions into account is going to help you capture them better.

When you take a picture of a friend you generally get the lens at face level. Do your pet the same favor. Get down on your knees and take a photo at their level. Lay on your stomach if you have to.

It’ll change their proportions and give you a lot more personality in the photo than if you stand above them and shoot down. Shooting from where you stand will make it look like you’re just pointing and clicking and not getting that expressive portrait you’re looking for.

While you’re down there and since you’re already getting in close, why not try experimenting with some different framing. Catch just a piece of your pet’s face. Take a close-up of a paw. Play around and have fun.

5. Mind your lighting

Lighting is always important in photography. You have to have the right lighting to get the right shot. It’s as important as anything else you can think of in photography.

It can be tricky to organize these things with pets. You need the light, but if you use a flash you might scare your pet. Try using natural light from a window or taking the shoot outside. Natural light looks great and most pets love being in the sun.

6. Get creative!

As we said when we talked about family portraits, be creative, be expressive and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Now that you’ve captured that perfect shot, you have to display it right.

Get yourself a Nixplay WiFi Cloud Frame and you can bring in photos straight from your social media or Bluetooth-enabled smartphone. Even better, with all the great shots you got, you won’t have to choose just one with the frame’s playlist feature.

It’s one of the only frames that’s going to come with support to make sure everything goes right when you’re preparing that photographic tribute to your furry friend.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.