Photographing people is an art form in and of itself. It takes a lot of practice, humor, and flexibility on the part of the photographer. So I'm breaking up my tips into a series of posts for the rest of the month. Get ready to shoot your friends, family, and kids in a whole new way this summer!
1) Have a running shot list in your mind, even if it's rudimentary. Think close up, medium and more of an environmental portrait. Looking away at camera, towards camera. shooting the person inside and outside- the more variety you have, the better selection.
2) Getting the subject to be themselves, that's the million dollar question. As a photographer it's your job to be engaged, social, interesting and interested. This is a lifetime effort and it's a huge part of this work; I'd argue the most wonderful aspect of being a photographer is all the colorful characters one meets along the way, so enjoy! The more comfortable you are the more comfortable your subject will be.
3) Women can be more difficult to photograph than men (not always!). Shoot them from slightly above and never while they're eating - that's been a real dead end for me. People look funny mid chew!
4) Giving directions is a learned/practiced skill. Watch how other photographers do it if you can, listen to how they direct — I was in Italy with a fashion photographer who commanded his subjects, "Look at me, slowly, now look at me again. Look at me." it worked for him. I try to be as clear as I can in my mind before I start photographing someone of what I'm going to say to them to help me get the shot.
5) When in doubt, try to get a little goofy. This is my fallback approach, getting someone to laugh then photographing them. The photographs look natural, the person isn't 'posing' and it appears effortless. Think of your stupidest joke, tell it to them and get ready to trigger that shutter when they erupt into giggles!
Do you have any techniques you think about when photographing people? If so please share! And I'll be back next week with more tips and tricks on this same subject.
xoxo,
Leela the Photo Magician
(Images: Leela Cyd Ross; kennymatic)
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Another thing, if you can, is to put your camera on a tripod, set aperture, shooting mode (if you use a flash, set it up). Then set your camera into remote and start engaging with your subject. Then hit the remote at good times. Getting my hands away from the camera makes me focus more on the person. Just another tool in the quiver. (of course it would be harder to change perspectives in that mode)
For me, it's all about practice, practice, practice. Seeing the person through the lens in a totally different way. I find it hardest to photograph my family because I think I know what they look like already. Seeing them in a fresh new way, is the challenge...
Be sensitive to the background. Make sure there is no pole that will look like it's sticking up from uncle's head. While it's convenient to pose groups together in front of a wall, that shot can end up looking like the junior high class photo or a group mug shot. Likewise, don't make people stand in front of a well lit window because the camera will compensate and the faces will be dark.
Finally, warn the child who inevitably rolls up his eyes and tugs at their corners alien-style that if he does it in this photo, you'll skin him when you get home! (That goes for the guy who does the donkey ears on every picture, too!)
I remember way back when I was taking a photography course and I picked photographing people as my final project for the class. The teacher told me he didn't think I should pick that subject because it was so difficult. What an ass! I love photographing people. Sad to say, because of his negativity, I dropped the class and never got my photography certificate; but I do have a great number of outstanding photos of folks.
This is so timely and so helpful! I'm about to shoot my first wedding in two weeks and need all the tips on working with people that I can get.
I'd love some tips about specifically photographing kids. I'm desperate to get some good shots of my nephews (2 and 3) before they grow up much more, but...eh. Talk about hard to work with!
My best kid shots are taken when I'm laying on the floor, looking up at them. And its more fun.