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Take better photos: Halloween

Scare up terrific Halloween photos with our tips for lighting, shots, and more.
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Content starts here
» Get uncluttered shots
» Add extra light inside pumpkins
» Take photos at twilight
» Terrific trick-or-treat shots
» Halloween photo party favors
» Learn more



Get uncluttered shots


A young woman with costume makeup

Get in close and focus on one aspect of a costume—in this case, the makeup.
  • Whether photographing costumes, decorations, parties or Halloween parades, pick the most important facet and zero in on it by moving in close. By doing this, you'll avoid a common photography error: cluttered pictures with no discernable subject or not enough detail.

  • You can also narrow the focus of your photos with color. Try snapping a field of orange pumpkins, for example.

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Add extra light inside pumpkins


A Halloween Jack O' Lantern To take pumpkin pictures that really shine, you need to let the light through-and add extra wattage. Try these tips:

  • Cut extra-large openings for eyes and big, jagged smiles.

  • Use two or three candles inside the pumpkin. Or, place a flashlight in the pumpkin.

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Take photos at twilight


A gargoyle statue under a dark, cloudy sky

Use available light at dusk for dramatic effects.
Plan to take pictures in the hour leading up to sundown. This time of day is ideal because there's still some light in the sky, which means you can take pictures without a flash. Ideally, use a tripod during twilight hours.

Other ways to deal with low-light conditions include:

  • Turn off auto-flash: Your camera's automatic flash will come on at night, but for better results, turn it off and use a flashlight to illuminate spooky subjects from the side or below.

  • Use the Night Portrait setting on your HP camera, which uses flash and a long exposure to avoid blurry results. Set your camera on a tripod for best results.

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Terrific trick or treat shots


Children in Halloween costumes at the front door If you're welcoming children to your door, work with a partner: Have one person open the door and greet the kids while the other snaps away. When taking your kids trick-or-treating, position yourself so that you can photograph them as they receive treats.

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Halloween photo party favors


A portable HP printer printing Halloween photos Photos make excellent party favors. Whether you're hosting the Halloween party or attending one, have your digital camera and a compact photo printer on hand. Get people to pose in costume or with props, and send them home with instant photo memories of all the fun.

With the HP Photosmart A636 compact photo printer, you can add creative elements like clip art, frames, and borders, for even more flair.

Compare the features of HP's line of portable printers to see all the benefits.

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Learn more


A compact photo printer is perfect for any occasion or get-together. You get instant results! To learn more about printing great photos, check out Quick tips for perfect prints.

Then, take your festive photos and create an HP photo book for an easy, precious compilation of photos you can cherish right away.

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