The Big Timber Pioneer (Big Timber, Mont.) 1983-current, December 19, 2003, Image 23

Page 24 — BIG TIMBER (MT) PIONEER — Week of December 19-25, 2003 Simplicity is key to taking perfect photo In the next few weeks, thousands of Montana families will chess the kids in their best and seek a creative setting, and dust off the family camera in quest of the perfect family holtday photograph. For many families, this will he one of the most unpleasant family tasks of the year. However. Nikki Nason. Montana State University’s official photographer, said that simplicity is the key to a successful photograph, especially if i! involves children or pets. Nason spent many years processing photos for a large discount department store She said she learned a lot from family photographs that were flawed by a decision or two. When it comes to a good holiday photograph, less may he more \Keep it simple.\ Nason advises. \The more things that you have to control, the harder it a ill be to get a good photograph.\ Here are some of Nason's ups for a great holiday photograph: * Kids and pets need a squeaky toy or a noisemaker abmc the camera The sound will make them look up with attention. * Keep the camera steady This is particularly challenging if the photograph is timed and the photographer will also be in the photo. Professional photographers use tripods to keep their cameras steady If you don't have one. Nason advises placing the camera on a stable surface, such as a table A car will work if the photo is being taken outside. * Use 100-spced film. This is the best all-around film speed. Nason says, especially if you plan to enlarge the photo to give as a gift. * Have a toy or stuffed animal on hand to divert a youngster who might be making a fuss It also can serve as an interesting prop for the photo. * Coordinate clothing colors, if possible, among the persons in the photograph Nason says bright colors work best. \Holiday colors are especially good.\ Nason says also be aware of shedding qualities of clothing For instance, placing a person wearing a fluffy sweater that sheds next to a person wearing velvet can cause unexpected problems * If you choose to take your photo outside, don't place your subjects facing the sun. That will guarantee squints. A well-lit. shady place is the best. If you shoot indoors, steady the camera. * Avoid red eyes, which arc caused by the flash bouncing off the eyes of the subject. Nason recommends using the red eye reduction on your camera if you have it. if not. there are pens that can he bought at photography stores and specialty departments that will eliminate red eyes from photographs. lie aware of your surroundings Nason said she's seen many a snapshot that \would have been great, but the person taking the photograph wasn't aware of the background.\ she said. Power lines, branches and poles \n the background have spoiled many a holiday photograph Nason said one of the worst examples she has seen was when a family member stood in front of a mounted deer in the photograph, rendering him to have antlers in the final image. Also, avoid exotic locations. Kids and pets find them distracting. * Bring your film in early to be developed. Nason recommends bringing your film in for processing early in the middle of the week for m a x i m u m t u r n - a r o u n d o f processing. * Be prepared and quick Nason said the longer the session lasts, the more restless and cranky subjects can become. Have a plan, be ready and take your photos quickly. * Many photo processors are now processing paper snapshots taken with digital cameras. Digital cameras are also now simplified so that any one can use them. Nason urges that photographers read instructions and set the camera for optimum resolution if planning to print the photo. Photos posted on the Web do not require as high of a resolution. Digital photos otherwise i require the same guidelines as traditional photos. gOS£3?»&'a -. V- ■ 5 Y y i»: £ .V í H a v e a s a f e H o l i d a y S e a s o n L When decorating your home or tree with lights, don’t overload plugs, outlets or extension cords. Be sure to replace all frayed o r cracked light strings, and use only approved outdoor lights for outdoor use. Louie says \Play it safe around electricity.” N t l l S f e t a r i Enogy A momtoar of MESC .www.narttwMtariwnargy.com S p o r t s B r i e f s H erder Sports The Big Timber varsity basket­ ball teams played four games last weekend The Herder boys lost to Gardiner Friday night. Dee 12 71- 62. The Big Timber squad led at the end of the first period but (railed after that at each quarter stop. David Foster led the scoring that niglu with 26 points. Foster also took top honors the next evening when the Herders heat Absarokec 59-52. Big Timber was slow coming out of the gate in the first eight min­ utes of the out of town game, trail­ ing 9 to 19. and also lagged in quar­ ter three when they were outscored by the Huskies 21-14. However, the other two periods made up for the slag and clinched the victory for the Herders. The Herder girls had a weekend of wins, viefcating Gardiner on Friday. December 12. 53-39. and Absaiokee Saturday. 45-26 Kavia Ry.in was die top pomt- getler lor Big 'I imher in both games 24 points the l u s t night anil 13 the second In the game w i t h Gardiner. Big Timbei pulled ahead m quarter two to lead by five at the half 20-15. In the fourth quarter the girls outscored die Huskies by 10 points to secure the w i n . Hosting Absarokec Saturday, n was Big Timber's hallgamc all the w ay through The Herders outscored their opponents in the first three periods by five, six and ten points to take the contest Pintle Sports The Reed Point Pirates hosted the Kyegate Lady Blue Demons Dcccmhci 13 m the gills' l u s t eon- fere nee game. The Pnates came away w i t h a 53-27 victory The Reed Point gills led at the end of die first quarter 24-8. Fiom that point the game was even Lilly Bruursema led the Pirates' scoring with 24 points Sophomore Kristin Ballhach yanked down nine rebounds for Reed Point, and Kory Kroh led the team in assists and steals with live each. Custom Picti Framing For Christmas Giving ¿Christmas? jf Sale I j& 5 % to 50 % o ff^ I i Framed Pictures Framed Mirrors Antiques Prints & Posters Quilts Leather Furniture Fenton Glass Picture Frames ^Upholstered Benches I f Matboard 1 F Stuffed Bears A Jewelry iS Books A Cards wf C R A 7 Y MOUNTAIN ART & y ANTIQUES 14 Andaraon Straal Monday thru Saturday •32-4797 t Ì f ? C O U N W C R O S S I I C A D S A n t iq u e s ! G if t s O P E N H O U S E FHday& Saturday, December 194 20 10 a.m. • 5p.m. • 406E1at St., BigTimber D o o r P r i z e s • NewiVintogeGifts idKOFF ^ P* LOWEST RKEDflml S T O R E W I D E A m q m t t t l i n t e n t » ! S omething F ok E vekione ! ______ • V J p % T U r e , is s t i i i t im e / Cinnabar Creek is open... Sunday Dec. 22 from 11 ajn. to 4 pjn Monday and Tuesday Dec. 22-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve until 4:00 pjn. ¿ e r t / j f r b a f c ? • / t e e f i j f t / / n f i p / k f Ca^oriaunr 219 McLeod Street 932-537 2 C o m e I n t o T H E C O L O R S H O P a n a L e t ' s M a k e a D e a l ! J u s t F o r C h r i s t m a s : O m t u m r t a x . - c . 2 0 fr— S t t a n 3» m Join Us for our OPEN HOUSE Friday, Doc. 19 A Saturday, Dac. 20 Enjoy Coffee 6 Cookies & Holiday Cheer! Please Note: We Will Be Closed January 2nd ____ 16 McLeod Street • Big Timber, MT • 406-932-4954 America’s Fastest Independent Renewable Energy Source C O R N As our forests, oil and other energy sources decrease, CORN is replenished annually, and is a never ending energy source. CORN is friendly to the environment. It contributes oxygen to the atmosphere while growing, and it poses no safety or pollution hazards. CORN is in abundant supply and is universally available. 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