What makes a Great Portrait?
A Great Shot of Great Neighbors
Lots of things really. Most it has to do with how a photograph or painting makes you feel when you look at it, because if you are truly serious about turning out great shots as a photographer, you want to make people feel specific emotions EVERY TIME they look at your images.
Take the picture the to left; it is called an "Environmental Portrait". Usually, when shooting portraits, you want to get in nice and close because the person or group you are shooting is THE most important part of the image, right? Well, in an Environmental Portrait, I make the person or group 'part of the whole', but a large part of the whole because I still need to place emphasis on the faces because people will want to get up on this image and see them, but then they will be content just to see the shot from a distance because the background is so dramatic.
Take the picture the to left; it is called an "Environmental Portrait". Usually, when shooting portraits, you want to get in nice and close because the person or group you are shooting is THE most important part of the image, right? Well, in an Environmental Portrait, I make the person or group 'part of the whole', but a large part of the whole because I still need to place emphasis on the faces because people will want to get up on this image and see them, but then they will be content just to see the shot from a distance because the background is so dramatic.
Working with "The Angels"
Classic Dean
If you want to make a photo session difficult, just add kids and/or animals (no, they are not quite the same) to the mix. This kind of Photography is a study in Split-Second Timing, Meditative Patience and Personality Management. And, of course this must all be accomplished WITHOUT the help of Pharmaceuticals or other Reality Distorting aids.
Kids run the range of shy/well-behaved to rambunctious/Wild Indian personalities. These can change on a whim and for those of you who are "Incredibles" fans, especially the parts dealing with "Jack Jack", you know what I am talking about.
I've found that applying the KISS method to Child Photography is the best way to get Great shots. I don't need crates and props and other peripherals to try and make the kids cute and usually they just get in the way and make it hard to get the child's attention. I know that a lot of mothers love and want those cute 'staged' shots of their kids in a coke box or other things, but that falls in to the "Everybody-Has-One-Of-Those-Pictures-On-Thier-Wall" shots and I prefer not to do that kind of work. I spent several years of my life working in a factory where I did the same thing over and over again for money. Thanks, but No Thanks. I can always refer you to someone.
Like I said, I subscribe to the KISS method which, for those of you who don't know, stands for "Keep It Simple Stupid". Why complicate the shoot? Why give speedy little creatures like kids a whole bunch of things for their attention to flit back and forth between? Why give sibling rivals something to fight over?
I tend to keep my lighting simple too. Judge for yourself, I think you'll agree.
Kids run the range of shy/well-behaved to rambunctious/Wild Indian personalities. These can change on a whim and for those of you who are "Incredibles" fans, especially the parts dealing with "Jack Jack", you know what I am talking about.
I've found that applying the KISS method to Child Photography is the best way to get Great shots. I don't need crates and props and other peripherals to try and make the kids cute and usually they just get in the way and make it hard to get the child's attention. I know that a lot of mothers love and want those cute 'staged' shots of their kids in a coke box or other things, but that falls in to the "Everybody-Has-One-Of-Those-Pictures-On-Thier-Wall" shots and I prefer not to do that kind of work. I spent several years of my life working in a factory where I did the same thing over and over again for money. Thanks, but No Thanks. I can always refer you to someone.
Like I said, I subscribe to the KISS method which, for those of you who don't know, stands for "Keep It Simple Stupid". Why complicate the shoot? Why give speedy little creatures like kids a whole bunch of things for their attention to flit back and forth between? Why give sibling rivals something to fight over?
I tend to keep my lighting simple too. Judge for yourself, I think you'll agree.
The Individual Shot
Aspin Purcell
This is where a True Professional makes use of multiple light sources to capture that Spectacular image that makes people do a double take.
By using the setting sun as a back light, I separated this young woman from the background AND added life to her dark hair on the right. Then using a flash, I lit up her face to brighten the eyes and smooth the skin. There are other details in the application of these techniques that I won't go in to at this time, But it will suffice to say that those details, as with ANY Profession, are what separate the TRUE Professional from the Amateur.
I don't do a lot of manipulation for portraits that someone is planning to display in their home. I don't do body-sculpting or other 'alterations' to make you in to something or someone else. Your friends and family seem to like who you are and the way you look, THAT is the person I want to photograph and THAT is the person I want to show in their best light.
A Note of Admission: I did have a little fun with this image, but only in so far the young woman's eye-color is concerned. There was a little bit of what I call "Scratch & Dent" work that I did, but that is just the normal skin smoothing and sharpening I used to do when I shot film years ago. We can all use that kind of work, some (like me) need more than others.
By using the setting sun as a back light, I separated this young woman from the background AND added life to her dark hair on the right. Then using a flash, I lit up her face to brighten the eyes and smooth the skin. There are other details in the application of these techniques that I won't go in to at this time, But it will suffice to say that those details, as with ANY Profession, are what separate the TRUE Professional from the Amateur.
I don't do a lot of manipulation for portraits that someone is planning to display in their home. I don't do body-sculpting or other 'alterations' to make you in to something or someone else. Your friends and family seem to like who you are and the way you look, THAT is the person I want to photograph and THAT is the person I want to show in their best light.
A Note of Admission: I did have a little fun with this image, but only in so far the young woman's eye-color is concerned. There was a little bit of what I call "Scratch & Dent" work that I did, but that is just the normal skin smoothing and sharpening I used to do when I shot film years ago. We can all use that kind of work, some (like me) need more than others.
In The Studio, at Weddings or On Location
Kaitlin Yardley
Yes, I do have the skills and equipment to turn out GREAT STUDIO SHOTS (you know, flash work?). I put that last part in because if you want to scare the Holy Crap out of the new breed of "Instant Photographers" ask them to use a flash that DOES NOT pop up from their camera. I can be very funny.
Anyway, I have developed a way to transport my studio to any place with enough space. Obviously. I cannot shoot family portraits in a closet, but for those of you who wish to have formal or casual portraits made in the comfort of your own home, I can make it happen. I've invested in the equipment needed to produce Professional Quality images ANYWHERE. If my Studio Strobe can't be used (because of weather, terrain or lack of an outlet) I have high-powered, portable flash units that can definitely do the job.
When I do a wedding, I do it the 'Old fashioned Way'. I bring REAL Studio Strobes or Portable Flash Guns and whatever Light Modifiers(umbrellas, softboxes, PLM's, etc) I need to get great shots. You will never find me using the little crappy flash that pops up out of the camera UNLESS it is in an EXTREME EMERGENCY and I have NO OTHER OPTIONS. Period. I believe in the right tool for the job.
If you are in the market for this kind of Photography just click the button below.
Anyway, I have developed a way to transport my studio to any place with enough space. Obviously. I cannot shoot family portraits in a closet, but for those of you who wish to have formal or casual portraits made in the comfort of your own home, I can make it happen. I've invested in the equipment needed to produce Professional Quality images ANYWHERE. If my Studio Strobe can't be used (because of weather, terrain or lack of an outlet) I have high-powered, portable flash units that can definitely do the job.
When I do a wedding, I do it the 'Old fashioned Way'. I bring REAL Studio Strobes or Portable Flash Guns and whatever Light Modifiers(umbrellas, softboxes, PLM's, etc) I need to get great shots. You will never find me using the little crappy flash that pops up out of the camera UNLESS it is in an EXTREME EMERGENCY and I have NO OTHER OPTIONS. Period. I believe in the right tool for the job.
If you are in the market for this kind of Photography just click the button below.
Helping a Model FEEL Glamorous/Handsome
A Sunbaby in Her Element
Lots of the "Instant Photographers" out there don't know the difference between a Glamorous look and a trampy one. I'm not talking the definition that is influenced by a woman's catty response or a guys pervy one.
What I am talking about is making images of someone that gets them the response they want, either from themselves or from someone else. Much of it has to do with wardrobe, location and pose, but all of this can be done tastefully and THAT is the ONLY way I work. If you want the other stuff, use your cellphone camera and a mirror.
Still, I continue to see pictures of different people posed in the same poses, location and clothing styles and most of them look like Ads for Pinterest. I've even seen pictures of men posed like women and vise versa, and that is just plain wrong; THERE ARE NO UNISEX POSES and unless the guy wants to look feminine he shouldn't be posed like a woman.
What these 'photographers' are NOT DOING is really looking at their subjects or really trying to make images that speak to who that person truly is. Not everybody looks good in the middle of the road or on train tracks with a suit case or guitar. The client is Paying to look their best and that requires a photographer to do more than pick up their digital camera (and one lens but no flash) a suitcase or a stool and go out in to the weeds or to the nearest 'old barn' and fire off a few frames.Locations should be chosen to help the subject look their best, not for the convenience of the photographer.
Once in a while (usually when working with Professional Models) I get to make photographs of a person who can look great in ANY circumstance...but that is because THEY have the ability to mold themselves to be what they need to be. But making creative, imaginative photographs that the average client will love and other people will admire is hard work. It's not supposed to be easy, if it was easy, everyone would be able to do it. It is the HARD that makes it Great!
What I am talking about is making images of someone that gets them the response they want, either from themselves or from someone else. Much of it has to do with wardrobe, location and pose, but all of this can be done tastefully and THAT is the ONLY way I work. If you want the other stuff, use your cellphone camera and a mirror.
Still, I continue to see pictures of different people posed in the same poses, location and clothing styles and most of them look like Ads for Pinterest. I've even seen pictures of men posed like women and vise versa, and that is just plain wrong; THERE ARE NO UNISEX POSES and unless the guy wants to look feminine he shouldn't be posed like a woman.
What these 'photographers' are NOT DOING is really looking at their subjects or really trying to make images that speak to who that person truly is. Not everybody looks good in the middle of the road or on train tracks with a suit case or guitar. The client is Paying to look their best and that requires a photographer to do more than pick up their digital camera (and one lens but no flash) a suitcase or a stool and go out in to the weeds or to the nearest 'old barn' and fire off a few frames.Locations should be chosen to help the subject look their best, not for the convenience of the photographer.
Once in a while (usually when working with Professional Models) I get to make photographs of a person who can look great in ANY circumstance...but that is because THEY have the ability to mold themselves to be what they need to be. But making creative, imaginative photographs that the average client will love and other people will admire is hard work. It's not supposed to be easy, if it was easy, everyone would be able to do it. It is the HARD that makes it Great!
A Taste of My People Shots
I am honored when people ask me to make photographs of their families and even more so when they entrust me to make images of their children. You will, no doubt recognize some of the people photographed below. There are several samples of some of the Special Effects work that I do. I'm NOT a big believer in OVER-PHOTOSHOPPING but it does have its place. I will never have to use Digital Manipulation because I lack the skill, knowledge or equipment to do the job and do it right. My definition of Art is easy to explain: a beautifully executed Photograph; created from Start to Finish
In My Mind
In My Camera
and to a much lesser extent
In My Computer.
Judge For Yourself, After ALl It Is You Who Must be Satisfied With The End Product. But I Will Bet My Reputation on You Agreeing that
My Photographs do not "Look Like Art, They Are Art".
In My Mind
In My Camera
and to a much lesser extent
In My Computer.
Judge For Yourself, After ALl It Is You Who Must be Satisfied With The End Product. But I Will Bet My Reputation on You Agreeing that
My Photographs do not "Look Like Art, They Are Art".
