Help. A friend's request, now mine: Urban portraits

[scottwallick]

Quick background: A good friend recently got married (by a court offician) and will be having a tiny wedding in April 2011. He and his wife work overseas and they're coming to NYC next month.

He's asked if I would take some portraits of him and his wife. This is not a how much do I charge him thread, but a how to shoot it thread.

I make nice photos here and there, but portraits are something I know little about. So I started doing some research online and will be practicing with the wife.

But he's asked for, and I quote, "We're looking for an urban cool that many of your recent shots capture."

I'm puzzled. I think he may have seen this, which isn't really a portrait, it's a candid. I've always thought portraits as being a collaboration between the photographer and the subject(s). Any photo I have ever made of a person is a candid. So this feels very different to me.

Help would be appreciated with these issues.

1. Suggestions on locations around NYC for said 'urban cool.' Most of my photos are taken around Queens, 80% during the daily commute to/from work. I have my own ideas but would love to hear yours. Please.

2. What to use. I'll be using my Leica M9. I have ordered a Summilux 50 ASPH, but don't have it yet (and probably won't until June/July). I have a Summarit 75/2.5, which I love, so that would suffice for some stuff. I prefer 50mm but have only a Elmar 50/2.8 at the moment. I love this lens for my usual stuff—but appropriate for this use? I also have a SF 24D flash for fill and that's as much lighting as I'll be comfortable with. Suggestions, please.

3. How to work with them to shoot it. Difficult, I know. Books have been written on the subject, but if you have any tips to share, please do. I'll be practicing and trying things, but will take help wherever I can get it.

This fellow is a good friend from my Peace Corps days. I want to make great photographs for them. So I do appreciate your constructive help. Cheers.

 

[dcsang]

Hey Scott,

Urban cool is what a lot of young (and even not so young) couples want nowadays.
I don't know much of the area around Queens but you're in NYC man.. there's a plethora of areas you can use in the "Urban Cool" setting; bridges, graffiti, the subway, the street itself etc. etc. etc.

WRT what to use; dance with the one that brung ya - use what you have and what you're comfortable with. The Elmar would be fine imho (the Summarit is good for head/shoulders "in tight" photos) - remember you're shooting two people so, unless they're going to be in the same plane of focus, shooting @ f2 or f1.4 may be risky if they like themselves all in focus (if you catch my drift).

Regarding how to work with them; this is a couple that has just recently been married. One would hope that the flame/spark of romance and the heat of love is still between them and burning hot - get them close to each other. Touching each other. Hands on each other's faces, holding hands, back to front, front to front, nuzzling, smooshing, and all the good stuff that makes them feel like they're in love and they don't care what anyone else sees.

Of course, all that totally depends on how comfortable they are in front of a camera (that's your job... ) and how comfortable they are displaying affection for each other in public. You may also go the route of the "American Gothic" style if they are uncomfortable with affection - but those aren't usually "romantic" photos but can be quite cool.... blank stares, some distance to create tension, etc.

Most of all, don't stress, have fun and that will definitely be brought out in your photos.

Lastly... There are no rules...

Cheers,
Dave

 

[kxl]

This is a very common request from brides and grooms to be, although your friend is obvoiusly doing it after the fact.

In your case, I'd first look at the iconic images (street/documentary/etc..) of NYC, and shoot them in my own way.

You WILL need something wider than a 50mm.

Good luck!

 

[matt352]

Maybe for fun, tell them to go on a walk or 'date' together in an attractive neighbourhood and follow them, walk with them, and make candids as you go. You could take them on a walking tour of a part of NYC they've never been to before and do the same thing.

 

[finguanzo]

Im with matt352, I think thats a great idea..

 

[payasam]

I see nothing wrong with the Elmar 50 for "this stuff". Matt and Fidel have told you what may be the best thing you can do.

 

[easyrider]

Some years back I shot an engaged couple who wanted to visit places where they met and hung out while dating. It was all around Toronto's Yorkville district. They were in love and it showed. Someone even suggested that I offer one of the pix to DeBeers diamonds. Unfortunately, I gave them all the negs and don't have any copies but the pix were great. You might want to approach it ithe same way -- take them where they hang out.

BTW: There is a member of this board, Ricis Valladares, whose work I admire very much. He shoots stuff like that.

You might look at his web page for inspiration:

http://www.riccisvalladares.com/#mi=2&pt=1π=10000&s=5&p=0&a=0&at=0

 

[scottwallick]

Thanks for everyone for sharing their suggestions/advice/thoughts so far. I do appreciate it. And as a way of paying everyone back, I'll be sure to share my experience and the photos afterwards.

Most of all, don't stress, have fun and that will definitely be brought out in your photos.

Thanks for this bit of encouragement, Dave. I'll take all your advice to heart.

Here's a great thread on another forum I'm on that has a lot of good ideas, called Engagement Sessions: Tips and Tricks or "How To". Should give you some insight as to posing, etc.

Thanks for sharing this, a great resource for my situation. I'm going to review this again and make a list of 'shots' that I want to make/accomplish. Excellent.

Maybe for fun, tell them to go on a walk or 'date' together in an attractive neighbourhood and follow them, walk with them, and make candids as you go.

As Fidel and others recommended this, I might very well do this. I want to make sure this'll match up with what they're hoping to get, but it would be a fun experiment all the same.

A few of us are going out for dinner one evening, so I may take an hour or so of their time beforehand to have them explore the neighborhood we'll be having dinner in and make photos, i.e., candids, along the way. A great suggestion, much appreciated.

BTW: There is a member of this board, Ricis Valladares, whose work I admire very much. He shoots stuff like that.

Riccis stuff is great and very likely resembles what my pal is asking for (an assumption on my part). I've visited his site before, but now I'm looking at his shots again with new eyes. Thanks for suggesting this.

 

[scottwallick]

Im with matt352, I think thats a great idea..

Didn't see you at Oxford today. . . .

 

[kzphoto]

Maybe for fun, tell them to go on a walk or 'date' together in an attractive neighbourhood and follow them, walk with them, and make candids as you go ...

One of the greatest suggestions I have seen in a long while.

Get your friends to dress up enough that they will stand out if placed into a crowd. I can envision some great subway photos if they are wearing a tuxedo and wedding gown.

As for the date suggestion -- this will provide you with candids you may not be able to capture otherwise.

 

[finguanzo]

LOL...,. no you didnt scott. I havent had food yet, busy day, and why are you on rff while at work anyway.?

 

[rolleistef]

While traveling in Rotterdam (nice photo playground, btw) with the geography department of my Uni, we were surprised to see about 3 ou 4 freshly married couples being photographed in front of the Erasmus bridge... but maybe you would need something with more people?

May 2009, Rolleiflex T, HP5 pushed to 1600.

 

[scottwallick]

After the advice, the results.

After the advice, the results.

In conclusion, I combined the advice I received. I had my friends, the couple, meet me at a bar in Hell's Kitchen. We had a few drinks, then took a walk around the area from 9th Ave by the Lincoln Tunnel towards the Javits Center. Urban, they requested.

The photos, if interested, are here. A first attempt at this type of stuff, but I'm pleased and so were they.

Thanks for the constructive feedback. Glad I asked here. Cheers.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm not sure I can talk for the couple, but I think you gave them what they wanted.

 

[scottwallick]

Thanks. They were pleased. In the end, what they wanted were straight-forward environmental portraits, not (just) candids.

For better or worse, here are a few choice shots:

 

[jsrockit]

Those look great, Scott. The phone booth set was nice too. They still have those?

Where did you find a phone booth? I've been looking for one.

 

[scottwallick]

Where did you find a phone booth? I've been looking for one.

This one was on the southeast corner of 37th Ave and 9th Ave (if the geotagging I did is correct).

If I could do this series again, I would have used a 28mm and gotten down lower, at chest level or so. Came out well enough. Live and learn.

 

[mike xtreme]

the phone booth picture is really sweet

 

[Haigh]

Maybe for fun, tell them to go on a walk or 'date' together in an attractive neighbourhood and follow them, walk with them, and make candids as you go. You could take them on a walking tour of a part of NYC they've never been to before and do the same thing.

Great idea. You might just get the spontaneity I imagine you are after.

 

[Haigh]

I like matt352's suggestion. Follow them around. Rip off a few just to put yourself in "the zone". Good shots are often just being ready for the unexpected and basically just waiting.