henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

I believe that a portrait should have a display of emotion. In order to achieve this the photographer and the subject must attain a mutual (mental, psychological) openness. It is imperative that both are in the most relaxed state possible during the shoot.
I am going to delve more deeply than usual into this process because I believe that it has affected my personal imaging to a great degree.
Briefly, the brain consists of literally billions of neuron cells of different sizes and shapes.
Every time you think, move, taste, smell, hear or touch a neuron chain is formed and stored in your brain. Neurons of similar shape and size join together as chains that control responses. These chains of neurons are known as ganglia. Chains of ganglia are known as ganglionic chains.
Since every time the brain is told to take or not take action these chains are reinforced soon these chains react to an outside stimulus virtually automatically. So, for example, when you see a lemon being squeezed your mouth puckers from the sour image. This is called a response repertory.
So how does this affect photography? If the session is perceived to be a stressful time then the response repertory tells the muscles and emotions to tense up. This is not beneficial to the session. So what to do about it?
Well let’s look at these neuron things a little further.
During the time that a neuron is a link in an active neuron chain, it continues to generate electricity alternating between negative and positive frequencies varying from .5 cycles per second up to 30 cycles per second. This range of firing frequency of neuron cells is divided onto four sectors which are defined as brain rhythms. They are Delta (below 4 BPS), Theta (4 to 7 BPS) Alpha (8 to 14 BPS) , and Beta (15 and up BPS).It appears that the slower the brain wave the more powerful it is
It has been shown that positioning oneself in one or the other of these levels on purpose is possible. It has also been demonstrated that the brain is highly receptive to suggestions of calm, openness, and relaxation.
So the first thing that we need to do is “Everybody RELAX”. Take the time to talk to the subject and even tell yourself to relax and have some fun with what you are doing. Explain what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Have the subject sit or stand in a few different positions and talk about how this can enhance the shoot.
Once everybody is relaxed and the customer is calm and in a relaxed and open mood, set lights, adjust the camera and make images.
Now back to the brain wave thing. As the customer relaxes the brain slows down and becomes closer to the Alpha wave level the customer becomes more receptive to your suggestions. A cooperating customer who is in tune with you is a joy to work with.
There are many who discount this brain wave thing as BS but I have used this methodology and I can tell you it works. It sets up an emotional bond that greatly enhances the creativity potential of the shot.
An image without emotion is like a soup without salt.

rebride

Interesting neurological explanation on what differentiates great portrait photographers from ordinary.
Relaxation, comfort, making the camera/equipment disappear (figuratively).
CaptainC does portrait photography in one of the most stressful environments you could find. Sure he has great techniques.

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

There are exceptions to every rule. I was generalizing. There are some people who work extremely well under pressure.

T Loc: New York State

Henry,

Essentially, your observation of the subliminal morphing a subject is capable of is both an exciting concept to realize, and an inescapable condition.

Dealing with it is fraught with risks and rewards like any other intrusive encounter with another individuals actual personality traits.

The question is, what range of encounter are you prepared to explore and "exploit"? ONLY that within the "relaxed" and un-focused levels of energy that are likely the least commonly expressed? Those within the normal, daily, personality expression, or those that occur under stresses that have been frequently encountered before? Those within moments when the personality is choosing what it wishes to be? Or those when the spirit comes to dine?

Long ago there was an insight written by Hemingway, Churchill, J.P. Morgan...or someone such. Who ever, or each: They recount asking a person whose personality had an instant, powerful and incredibly distinct impact within seconds of meeting, how they came to have such an outstanding ability to impress others? The reply was: "Because I used an entire life to build this face."

In recent years, since finally falling prey to the addiction of infinite digital film, I've begun to take a growing interest in "Hunting Portraits". A state of mind depending less on photography then on seeing and proximity.

One, bagged with only 4 frames fired, and one, with just a single frame fired, ended up on covers. That's being said only to hone an edge on two aspects a studio shooter might not fully appreciate. First, the great power of some faces at some moments, and secondly, the fleeting rarity of moments when they are exposed...or put to use.

Relaxed? Far too over-rated for something not a natural state of active nature.

Best wishes for your hunt.

T

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

I can accept that you feel that way. I posted my perceptions and yours are also valid. A forum is so that we can discuss things opely and without rancor.

T Loc: New York State

And discussion was the purpose...

We all would like to have a "spirit come to dine".

And Lincoln for a sitting.



T

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's why it's called a forum.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Interesting discussion. I know very little about photography. I am learning it now, thanks to UHH. I do know a little about people and business. In any profession, a relaxed client is always more receptive to the suggestions of the pro. A relaxed happy client is the one most likely to come back and recommend others.
For most, photography is a difficult profession to be successful at as a business, regardless of the skills and equipment of the photographer, especially now in the digital age, and more so in the current economy.
Any technique, such as that of the OP that proves effective for that pro is a technique worth pursuing. Thanks for posting it.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I can see there are people here that are a lot smarter than I am. I guess for me it depends upon what you are wanting out of the subject or what the subject is wanting. If you want a family portrait where you are wanting to project an image of civility, then you definately want everyone relaxed, calm and mellow. You know, the results you expect from the ingestion of massive quantities of valium. Conversely, if you are photographing two boxing opponents, the last thing you want is a friendly, happy atmosphere in beat with the song, "Why Can't We Be Friends?" In that situation, you'd want frowns, facial lines, bulging veins on the forehead, boiling anger and all the other signs of an angry, disgruntled housewife (I'm speaking from experience here.)

But yes, I figure a good photo should evoke some sort of emotional response from the viewer be it pleasure, happiness, pity, anger, dismay, disgust or whatever. And for unknown reasons, the emotional responses I usually got from my ex included anger, dismay, disgust and most of all, seething hatred. And that was before the kids started coming along, she wasn't nearly as nice after that!

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

At last, I have the lightbulb moment as to why I love shooting architecture and not portraiture. Thank you guys.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

nice to have scientific research to back up what one otherwise gathers from paying attention to self and others. PS this is not limited to people portraits. See Miksang photography for another pov.