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04/23/2008 12:27:26 PM · #1 |
I've just finished shooting some portraits with a friend of mine and I've decided that they are the greatest thing ever. Getting inside someone's character is so rewarding.
That is all, happy snapping!
J
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04/23/2008 02:09:17 PM · #2 |
| me too! I just finished putting together a book of portraits and about the process of taking portraits. So much fun sharing your creativity with another person as the subject, lots of great opportunities open up. |
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04/23/2008 03:15:55 PM · #3 |
Me too. My only problem is lack of subjects and lack of backbone. My main subject (not a photographer) interprets portraiture differently, and, patient though he is, always asks, "Why do you like closeups so much?"
[thumb]672313[/thumb] [thumb]672312[/thumb] |
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04/23/2008 07:39:12 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Louis:
Me too. My only problem is lack of subjects and lack of backbone. My main subject (not a photographer) interprets portraiture differently, and, patient though he is, always asks, "Why do you like closeups so much?" |
You might enjoy the book I put together then. It is mostly closeups and mostly people I didn't know until I asked if I could take their picture, over the last 3 weeks. There is a link to the book here.
I like the backgrounds of your two portraits, a lot, gives great texture and compliments the warmer colours in the subject really well. Helps bring him out of the frame. That warm/cool pairing is really effective to give depth. The backbone can be tough to find but the huge explosion in subjects that become available, along with a lot of other benefits, can make it really rewarding.
Message edited by author 2008-04-23 23:58:33. |
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04/23/2008 10:04:29 PM · #5 |
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04/23/2008 10:49:18 PM · #6 |
I decided to shoot people and never looked back. Every one so different... its a wonderful challenge. :)
Keep shooting and show us what 'cha get!
Message edited by author 2008-04-23 22:49:40.
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04/23/2008 10:52:24 PM · #7 |
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04/23/2008 11:35:04 PM · #8 |
24 of my last 30 entries at DPC have been portrait type images. We are slowly working our way to a portrait studio in home (and having people other than my usual m"models" rocks!). I am losing any desire to shoot other stuff - still life, landscapes etc. I want to shoot people (15 years ago that would have meant something completely different).
I have been in a similar boat as [user]Louis[/user] (same models and no guts). Though recently I have been getting up the nerve to ask people. There was one guy who I have seen at the grocery store three times. The third time I was with Aimee and I told her how much I woudl love to take pics of him but that I hadn't had the guts to go up and ask. She talked me into asking, I went up, handed him my business card and told him who I was and what I did, what i was interested in and he politely said no thank you and we went our separate ways. I was bummed that he said no - but it really went well. I didn't puke on him in nervousness and he didnt yell at me or punch me or anything. Even though I didn't get what I had hoped for I walked away more empowered to ask the next time. I am now looking forward to the Tuesday night Harley rallys and my new found spine. ;)
Until then - I give you another shot of Aidan.
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04/23/2008 11:54:22 PM · #9 |
Heh.. this hesitation is univeral I'm sure. Even Keith Carter has it. If you haven't already done so, check out  Gordon's blog for his take on getting portraits. Not sure if it's here or another one and it may take some time but it's worth going through. |
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04/24/2008 12:00:29 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Louis:
Heh.. this hesitation is univeral I'm sure. Even Keith Carter has it. If you haven't already done so, check out Gordon's blog for his take on getting portraits. Not sure if it's here or another one and it may take some time but it's worth going through. |
That's the right link. Lots of rambling about approaching strangers and getting up the courage to get rejected occasionally. Went from never photographing strangers and hardly ever photographing people a year ago, to shooting about 100 complete strangers in a weekend last September and taking 400 portraits this month.
It is somewhat addicting...
Message edited by author 2008-04-24 00:00:51. |
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04/24/2008 12:09:31 AM · #11 |
Just mess'n around with the new Canon 10-22.
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04/24/2008 12:12:28 AM · #12 |
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04/24/2008 12:20:02 AM · #13 |
Thanks man.
Still working on getting close to your studio level. |
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04/24/2008 02:25:26 AM · #14 |
| I begun photography here shooting landscapes and other scenic shots, a bit nervous to shoot people. Once I did, it quickly became favorite type of work. There is something special about the colaberation between the photographer and the subject. I particularly enjoy when they get to the see the final product and they fully understand the idea, and why I directed them one way or another. Not to mention, I find there are many more interesting people to photograph than landscapes. |
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04/24/2008 10:05:42 AM · #15 |
| I had the same experience. I felt a bit silly at first directing my model, but when he saw the results, he was pretty happy. He said to me the other day that I'm free to take his picture and direct him anytime and any way I like. This from somebody who absolutely could not tolerate having a camera pointed in his direction just a few years ago. |
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04/24/2008 10:09:20 AM · #16 |
Call me crazy, but most of my portraits Ive shot with me 100-400 Telephoto.
here are a few:
I used to be mainly landscapes and architecture, but I am finding a new love to photographing people and animals. They tend to be a bit more rewarding for me. |
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04/24/2008 02:37:44 PM · #17 |
Yeh the majoirty of the portraits I take are with my 55-200mm lens, less background detail!
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04/24/2008 03:12:39 PM · #18 |
I take almost all of mine at 85mm around f2-f2.8
I'm thinking of switching to 24mm soon. Or 200mm. Haven't quite decided. |
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04/24/2008 03:18:45 PM · #19 |
| I switched to that 85mm prime Nikkor many months ago and have been using little else, having previously strictly used the 17-55mm. I keep it opened to f/1.8 mostly because I really like the creamy backgrounds, and the quick drop-off of focus. I'm probably doing something objectionable, but I like the slightly out of focus elements on a tight portrait: ears, neck, clothes, some of the hair and so on. |
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04/24/2008 03:25:36 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Louis:
I switched to that 85mm prime Nikkor many months ago and have been using little else, having previously strictly used the 17-55mm. I keep it opened to f/1.8 mostly because I really like the creamy backgrounds, and the quick drop-off of focus. I'm probably doing something objectionable, but I like the slightly out of focus elements on a tight portrait: ears, neck, clothes, some of the hair and so on. |
I'm similar. Most of the photos in that book above, struggle to have both eyes in focus. Some people are 'distracted' by that, others not so much. I typically work hard on getting the close eye in focus and leave it at that. Often I'm shooting fairly straight on so both eyes are in focus that way, too, or close enough. |
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04/24/2008 03:33:59 PM · #21 |
I don't know, it seems even the customers who pay me don't really cooperate when it comes to facial expressions and posing directions. I did just agree to more portraits for a non paying customer though, so how do you get them to cooperate? What tricks did you use Louis for your uncooperative model? This next one is in good physical shape, young and good looking so I'm thinking it might be easier.
 This lady was the most uncooperative person I've ever worked with. All the facials expressions are forced through Portrait Professional. |
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04/24/2008 03:36:56 PM · #22 |
| I dont know the general rule, but for most I talk to them a little get them comfortable with me if I am doing a shoot. If its someone off the street and I want to take their shot, I think having the big telephoto helps. Most think Im some sort of magazine professional. Getting the lense noticed has helped me out on the streets and in the model shoots. somehow I think the subjects feel that they are dealing with some sort of pro lol |
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04/24/2008 03:40:52 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Kelli:
I don't know, it seems even the customers who pay me don't really cooperate when it comes to facial expressions and posing directions. I did just agree to more portraits for a non paying customer though, so how do you get them to cooperate? |
I talk to them. I wrote a four page essay in that book about how I try to get expressions and my general approach, so if you are interested, I'd take a look.
Most of the people were total strangers to me and I only had a few seconds for each shoot. I think the longest was 5 minutes. Talking constantly seems to work well. When I teach people that seems to be the single biggest mistake most people make when making portraits. They spend more time paying attention to the lights or the camera and don't talk much to the subject.
You can also do it by saying nothing at all, but then you still have to communicate a lot or even more, with your body language, that can be a lot of fun to try too. Street shooting, a few feet from people, getting their permission, eliciting an expression or a response, all without saying anything at all. I find a big lens intimidates people so I use about the smallest that I can find.
Message edited by author 2008-04-24 15:42:29. |
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04/24/2008 05:10:52 PM · #24 |
As Jaime and Gordon do, I also talk to them. I've had only a few shoots with total strangers, many with acquaintences, and hundreds with Alex. You can imagine that it's a simple matter to engage Alex in conversation about something domestic or work related, or about current affairs, or what's that piece of cat hair on the couch or anything at all, or direct him to the pose and facial expression I need. Best model ever. I have many hundreds of pictures of him (thousands?), most in the studio.
For this guy and this guy, I talked about their work. Their portraits look guarded, but I think it suits their personalities, and they were very friendly with me. For this guy, we talked a bit about photography, but mostly I just waited until he was doing something interesting -- took about five seconds of waiting. Later he saw the image and said he was surprised it came out as it did, since I didn't seem to be trying to get a "pose" at all. And I think that is as it should be.
The bottom line is to find something your model would like to talk about, is interested in, or has immediate knowledge of (their hair or their kids or the book they brought with them). Try directing them less, and getting images of them that reflect more of an engagement with you. Probably would have worked wonders with your uncooperative model. (I'd stay clear of Portrait Professional personally.) |
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04/24/2008 05:14:54 PM · #25 |
| Another thing I do alot when shooting female models, is that I compliment them and crack jokes to make them smile alot. you can get great expressions that way if happy is what you are looking for. :) |
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