E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated. Anytime you are in Ottawa, you are welcome to visit me. One day soon, before I leave this world, I'll have to take a trip through my old "hood" in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
I try NOT to get up on a "high horse" or becoming snobbish about portrait photography, however, after a lifetime in the photography business- mostly nowadays in the commercial end of the industry, FINE PORTRAITURE is still my first love. It was my entry-level into the business as an apprentice and I was fortunate enough to have had GREAT mentors and a through formal education it that specialty.
So here's my gripe: There are many photographers on this site that really know what the are doing technically as to cameras, lenses, digital technology, and also many who are great wildlife, bird and nature shooters and top landscape photographers. The study, argue endlessly about pixel counts, format differentials, optics, and all the science, math and even the artistic elements of their fields. Many do a fine job! When it comes to portraiture- truly good stuff, however, as we used to say in Brooklyn, except for a few like CaptainC (Cliff), there is "BUGGER ALL" and that's a polite way of putting it. Perhaps there is little interest in this field around here. I think many folks have a serious misconception of what it is all about.
I think the best bird photographers are enthralled with the beauty of their favorite subjects. Perhaps many are into ornithology- the know the migratory and nesting habits, they know the best ways to render their color and plumage, they know exactly how and where the fly. Ansel Adams was probably the worlds foremost landscape photographer because he had a deep love and respect for the environment and the natural beauty of the landscape. To be a great portrait photographer you gotta love people! If you think they are a vain bunch of fusspots and pains in the rear end- find another specialty. If you think that folks are too fussy, that brides are "bridezillas" and the active kids are little "rug-rats" you will not be successful in portraiture no matter how to good a technician you are or how great your gear is. Believe it on not- your attitude and approach show up in your pictures!
Technically and artistically speaking, you CAN NOT learn FINE portraiture overnight, by looking at magazines, online tutorials, or taking in a one-time class. Many, otherwise good photographers have absolutely no knowledge of the very BASICS, let alone sophisticated methodologies. Most will attempt to "run before the can walk" and plunge into all kinds of psychological and aesthetic approaches without a good foundation in the basics. Many reject "rules" or procedures in art but all I can say is that some of the best improvisational jazz musicians started off with classical backgrounds and training!
The dynamics of lighting in portraiture can fill a small encyclopedia, however, there is little or no literature that is easily accessible. If I had the incentive, time and addition energy to write a book on the subject, there would be 4 chapters on the angle of incidence theory. I'll bet at most casual portrait shooter don't actually know how to use an umbrella modifier.
Posing can not learn from a "posing guide" by copycatting pictures. it knowing about human body mechanics, weight distribution, line, and facial and body types and aesthetics. Some of the word's gratis photographic portraits were carefully posed and directed but they seem entirely natural. Many of the portraits I see around are badly "distorted", not in an optical way because of the wrong distance of focal length usage, but because they are no a true likeness of the subject, there are awkward places of limbs, facial features misrepresented and unnatural.
There is a serious misconception that classical portraits are stiff, cookie-cutter, overly retouched and boring. Wel- birts, nature, flowers, antique cars, wildlife can be all beautiful. Spots activities are exciting- all great grist for the photographer's mill! To my mind, however, there is nothing more beautiful, interesting, exciting, alluring and something downright glamorous and sexy than our fellow human beings. When they come to sit or stand before our cameras we have a kind of obligation to create something of beauty, texture, personability, memorability, and character to give them. It's not a job or even a hobby for the impatient, sloppy, lazy or reclusive photographer.
When you really get to know your onions and get all of the basics down pat you can certainly develop your own style. You will do many of the technical function as almost second nature so you can concentrate on the aesthetics, relating to your subjects and capturing characteristic expressions. moods and themes.
The business? Well- all I can say is we are all consumers of goods and services. Nowadays, when you are in the market for any kind of personalized service, custom made a product, or the work of a skilled crafts-persons trades-person, professional or artisan, what are you gonna get for a $25. gift card some pocket change. There is absolutely nothing wrong with amateurs doing work for friends and low or no cost or ever professions donating there work to good causes or good folks in need, or doing some pro bono stuff.
If you want to start a business, however, do this in a profitable and business-like manner. If you need some incentive just have a peek at your last plumbing, electricians, auto mechanics, dental, or accountants bill. Been to an art-gallery lately? - SCARRY! $
Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciate... (
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