I have had customers that only wanted only five photos of themselves for various reasons whether it is to post on facebook or to build a portfolio for acting or modeling.
If you only need a handful of photos, I can do that for you but it still requires at least 60 photos so that you will have a choice.
However to build a proper portfolio of 10 to 20 photos with different change of clothing for variation, it takes hundreds or even a thousand photos just to get it right. The general rule of thumb is to expect one great photo from twenty to forty similar photos.
The quantity of photos is not the fault of composition but rather a problem of the subject as I have observed throuh countless session, such as a single expression that prevades through all the photos that creates a very monotonous portfolio. As with one subject she had a fixed smile and she kept her angle of her head the same in all the photos no matter the pose. My solution was to keep her distracted while I walk around her rather then having her move, I did the moving.
A good portfolio must capture the subject naturally without the feeling of awkwardness or trite.
Although a good subject will inspire the photographer, it is also the job of the photographer to inspire the subject to be themselves during the session; it is a synergistic relationship. Keeping them distracted or even laughing during a casual conversation is essential to a good candid photo session.
In this day and age of photography where a single memory card can hold up to several thousands of photos, there is no reason why a photographer should only take a handful of photos.
If a photographer quotes quality over quantity then they are missing out on a lot of beautiful candid photos of you as you relax between grimaces. It is the natural "you" after the un-said count of 4 that you want, not the photo of "you" at the count of 3.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
No Checklist!!
Anyone who has hired me has always marveled at the paparazzi type of photography that I do. All you hear is the constant clicking of the shutter before, during and after the ceremony; I do this without blocking anyone's view or stepping on anyone's toes.
I am passion driven, constantly searching for the right angles, the flirting moments such as your dad with tears down his cheeks; photography has never been a list of things to shoot.
I've been asked on many occasion whether I use a check list as well as I've been given a check list, by many, on what photos they would like. Although I'll accept your checklist and make a mental note on the shots that you would like, to an old verteran photographer all of this is second nature like photos of the church, ring fingers, bride peeking out with anticipation, groom wiping his forehead and so much more; it is a given that these photos are takened whenever possible.
Recently I had the opportunity to view a check list created by another photographer on what photos the family would like him to take; it had more then a hundred photo items. I cannot even fanthom how this would work. Does the photographer take a photo then pauses to check off the photo from the list? I've heard horror stories that a photographer had walked past the grandma on a swing while she was waiting for the reception to start and didn't bother to take a photo since it wasn't on his list. What kind of photographer would miss this kind of photo moment?
If you riffle through my thousands of shots, it almost become an animated movie of your wedding. Every expression from the time I start shooting until you relax at the completion of the ceremony are all captured forever as photo snapshots; even candid shots of your grandma on a swing included.
Even with family group shots, I never use the 1,2,3 method where everyone grimaces at the prospect of being shot or holds their breath before the flash. From the time the family gathers for the group photo and organizes themselves, at least several photos have already been takened; the expression just before the grimace and the moment of relaxing are usually the best photos.
It is a passion as well as hard work as I shoot at the oddest angles above your head and sometimes at floor level for spur of the moment creativity. I take shots that no list can ever imagine and if it is on the list you can be sure that I will have at least six variations of that photo and if it is not on the list, you can be sure that I have it too...
I am passion driven, constantly searching for the right angles, the flirting moments such as your dad with tears down his cheeks; photography has never been a list of things to shoot.
I've been asked on many occasion whether I use a check list as well as I've been given a check list, by many, on what photos they would like. Although I'll accept your checklist and make a mental note on the shots that you would like, to an old verteran photographer all of this is second nature like photos of the church, ring fingers, bride peeking out with anticipation, groom wiping his forehead and so much more; it is a given that these photos are takened whenever possible.
Recently I had the opportunity to view a check list created by another photographer on what photos the family would like him to take; it had more then a hundred photo items. I cannot even fanthom how this would work. Does the photographer take a photo then pauses to check off the photo from the list? I've heard horror stories that a photographer had walked past the grandma on a swing while she was waiting for the reception to start and didn't bother to take a photo since it wasn't on his list. What kind of photographer would miss this kind of photo moment?
If you riffle through my thousands of shots, it almost become an animated movie of your wedding. Every expression from the time I start shooting until you relax at the completion of the ceremony are all captured forever as photo snapshots; even candid shots of your grandma on a swing included.
Even with family group shots, I never use the 1,2,3 method where everyone grimaces at the prospect of being shot or holds their breath before the flash. From the time the family gathers for the group photo and organizes themselves, at least several photos have already been takened; the expression just before the grimace and the moment of relaxing are usually the best photos.
It is a passion as well as hard work as I shoot at the oddest angles above your head and sometimes at floor level for spur of the moment creativity. I take shots that no list can ever imagine and if it is on the list you can be sure that I will have at least six variations of that photo and if it is not on the list, you can be sure that I have it too...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)