Ever since picking up my first box Brownie, many years ago, I have had the urge to take pictures of people. Problem is that you need to interact with them in a guiding kind of way.
It's easier to shoot landscapes and still life's because you don't have to direct them, you can just go with the flow.
I had the same feeling as you (and still do, truth be told) and it held me back for many years. It's only in the last little while that I decided to just go for it.
Like every thing in life it gets better with practice, the more I do it the easier it gets to gently interact with my subject and get them to do what I want.
What really helped was to start with my wife, then the kids and then I shot a wedding. Big move! But the bug bit, and now I actually look forward to shooting portraits. I just need to find more subjects.
My next big step is going to be to do what you do so well, John, and shoot people on the street in their natural environment. It scares me stiff and I have not been able to get over that hurdle, but I am sure it will come.
I look at work by street photographers and it just seems right to photograph people so naturally. Ah well, one day!
You're right, the lighting adds mood. Some are against harsh light for portraits, I think in the right circumstance it adds to the portrait as this does. It creates a portrait of not only the subject, but of light and dark and emotion. Nice.
Looks like you are really getting into portraits; I've never tried, I think it takes a rapport with the subject that I'm not sure I would have.
ReplyDeleteEver since picking up my first box Brownie, many years ago, I have had the urge to take pictures of people. Problem is that you need to interact with them in a guiding kind of way.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to shoot landscapes and still life's because you don't have to direct them, you can just go with the flow.
I had the same feeling as you (and still do, truth be told) and it held me back for many years. It's only in the last little while that I decided to just go for it.
Like every thing in life it gets better with practice, the more I do it the easier it gets to gently interact with my subject and get them to do what I want.
What really helped was to start with my wife, then the kids and then I shot a wedding. Big move! But the bug bit, and now I actually look forward to shooting portraits. I just need to find more subjects.
My next big step is going to be to do what you do so well, John, and shoot people on the street in their natural environment. It scares me stiff and I have not been able to get over that hurdle, but I am sure it will come.
I look at work by street photographers and it just seems right to photograph people so naturally. Ah well, one day!
You're right, the lighting adds mood. Some are against harsh light for portraits, I think in the right circumstance it adds to the portrait as this does. It creates a portrait of not only the subject, but of light and dark and emotion. Nice.
ReplyDeletebeautifull light..makes the face very interesting..I like it. Rgds.A.
ReplyDeletetres reussie on l entends presque pense ;O)
ReplyDeleteInteresting subject, beauiful photography!
ReplyDeletewonderful portrait..profile...
ReplyDelete