Zachary Welch Loc: Minneapolis

With some good suggestions from Ed and others I went back to work on shooting people. Instead of thinking too hard on the technical aspects of lighting (those can come later) I have started shootings guests for various social events we have hosted this month. I am slowly understanding how to “loosen” people up in front of the camera, though I could use a good reference to some basic posing tips.

mcmama

I pretty much do the same thing. If I see someone I think would be an interesting subject, I say hello and ask if I can take some photos of them. As I’m shooting, I’m talking to them, asking them to just interact with me in conversation or with each other if there are more than one. All the time we’re talking, I’m shooting quietly away. I do ask them to smile at the camera at times, but mostly I just have them act naturally and there’s very little posing.

I rarely know the people, but I’ve never had anyone say know. I also make sure to get their information so they can see the photos.

Here are just a few examples.

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Zachary Welch Loc: Minneapolis

I think yours is a good idea as well. I tend to shoot with strobes, but working to get people comfortable in front of the camera is a public setting is also good practice.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Zach! Good project and nice work!

This, obviously is not formal portraiture shot under studio or studio-like conditions. There are some "posing" and compositional issues to discuss but you would need time and perhaps more gear that was probably not at your disposal under casual circumstances.

The good part is that you are "SHOOTING FACES" in that you have good views of each face and have a good likeness of each of your subject. In some cases, the lighting ratio or contrast is a bit harsh but some of this is correctable in a few simple post-processing steps.

You caught nice expression, and I am guessing that you characterized the personality of each of your subjects.

Closer and slightly tighter and vertical composition would improve the impact of each portrait and that can be addressed in cropping.

You need to get more light into the eyes but, of course, this entails control over the lighting. The guy with the shades is OK!

In your "hug" shot of two people, there is a bright large bright area of skin tone on the person in the foreground which tends to compete with the face of the main subject but I really like the expression and the "relationship". It tells a nice story.

In formal portraiture, you can still concentrate and relaxing folks and capturing good expressions but you must take control and direct each subject as to posture, angles and positions of their heads, shoulders and bodies in relation to the camera and the lights you must either place your lights or, with existing light, you need to find the light and bring the subject into the lighting pattern that is flattering to their facial structure, illuminates the eyes and set the mood as to key and contrast.

You are on the right track in working with folks, capturing expression and personality. Try a few more controlled portrait sessions- post them and we can get into the technicalities.

I edited your images to illustrate how the composition and contrasts can be improved.

Zachary Welch Loc: Minneapolis

Ed,

Thanks as always for the feed back!! I am making it a required rule that all house guests get in front of the lens, I’m in a rather tight space constraint, but work with what you have, right? 😄 The next time I have someone that can sit for more than a few minutes I’ll work on adding fill lighting as you suggested to me previously. I suspect this will pull some of the harsher contrast out. As for the tighter composition, I see what you mean in terms of straightforward portraiture, but I do like how the negative space can look when printing.