See their souls......
By Kurt Jones
17 Feb 2009
Is it the lighting ? Yes.
Is it the Lens ? Yes
Is it the Exposure? Yes.
BUT..........
We all stress the technical part of photography.
The camera bodies, lenses, meters, lights, reflectors, etc.....
Cars, sports, still life's, you just shoot what's there.
It's collaborating with a person, another human being, to create works that showcase you and them in the best light possible (Yes, pun intended !) that separates the good from the great.
We should all be striving for the 'Great'.
Making a connection is the MOST important part of photographing a person.
Talk to your subject. Get a good idea of their personality and play off it. Talk to them during the shoot and keep it light.
Don't be outgoing and flamboyant if your subject is not.
Don't be quiet and reserved if you subject is not.
In the end, you end up being yourself, we all do.
Just keep in mind, it's about THEM.
You HAVE to have that connection with the subject to bring out the most in them.
If there is nervousness or tension, you are both wasting your time.
Once you make that connection, then it's up to you to make sure the background is appropriate.
Don't let the background be the subject matter and over power your true subject. This is a very common mistake, not looking at your entire frame !
Crop in camera. Get in there, don't be afraid to shoot TIGHT.
Flatter your subject with the best lens choice.
I use a 35 1.4, 85 1.2 and 135 2.0.
Use the Bokeh of the lens to accentuate the image.
You don't need the trees 40' away in focus !
Utilize the focal and aperture to make your subjects POP !
Nice soft light? Hard, directional light ?
All depends on the mood desired and the subject matter.
Now, it's all in your hands !
Make the connection.
Light the subject appropriately.
Make the best lens choice and expose it right, in camera.
Shoot, shoot and shoot some more !!
It's all in the eyes !!! The gateway to their soul.
1 response
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Karen Lynch said (6 Mar 2009):
Great shots! The light is beautiful. I just recently started working with young girls for their Senior photos. The first thing I do is ask them likes, hobbies, what they want the photos to be and work from there. Like you I tell my model the photo should please them not me then I try to shoot them at ease to match their personality. My last two subjects were very shy and didn't like to smile. The beginning shots were straight, serious shots that eventually became natural smiles when they were ready and at ease with me.
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