From: Walt
Yeah, that would be a good example, Bruce.
I guess my philosophy is that people can pay you to take photos of their
kids smiling and being cute, but they can't stop you from creating the
images you want to create in the process. They can pick the ones they
like and I'll be happy to keep the ones I like. And the fact that a more
doleful-looking image was captured in the context of a turn-and-smile
portrait session doesn't make it somehow illegitimate.
Obviously, no one was suggesting that at all. I'm just spouting off
here. But, in my admittedly limited experience as a photographer (not
just as a portrait session photographer, which is extremely limited), it
seems as though some of my favorite images are the ones that are stolen
moments. I could be in the middle of a party where everyone is laughing
and smiling and otherwise having a great time, but the shot I'm really
looking for is the pensive wallflower.
Pensive, wistful are fine, but a quiet smile sells photos. You develop
your own style. The people who like your style will hire you.
A couple of problems I see sometimes is people trying too hard to
capture a smile resulting in a grimace. One technique I've found (stolen
from a Gary Fong video) to result in a more natural smile is to have
the model say "yes" and take the photo just as their face relaxes afterward.
The other problem is I'm not a fan of posing teen-age girls with
guitars. It's the whole "hands in a natural position" thing. If she
plays guitar, let her play it & the hands will take care of themselves.
Otherwise, it's not a good prop choice.
And pensive ain't a problem with teen-age girls. It's pretty much their
natural condition. But tell 'em enough elephant jokes and eventually you
can get 'em to laugh and their natural smile will come through.
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