smiling, eyes, and relationships

[sirius]

Hi, I'm new here. I really enjoyed reading this forum. Thanks for all the great examples and techniques!

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13781&highlight=eye+contact

I love how a photograph is document of a relationship that a photographer builds with their subjects. Permission is given with a look or a smile; or refused with body language. Shots of backsides and grab shots so often communicate a feeling of timidness rather than the warmth of a relationship shared. It is not important whether is a brief glance that is shared or a photo of someone you have known all your life. Geez, I would so much rather be relaxed when I am taking a photo and thinking about how to catch a moment rather than being self-conscious and sneaky. How can you feelings not come out in your art?

Can there be any rules beyond respecting yourself and your subject? I guess I'm talking about truthfulness and honesty. I love Edward Steichen's "Family of Man Exhibit" because of its truthfulness and honesty about what it means to be a human being. So many of the Magnum photographers captured this as well, and they caught it with such artistry.

Here is a wonderful article about smiles. So many times when you actually ask people if you can take their picture everything you wanted to photograph dissolves as they line-up, turn towards you, and put on a smile! Hey, where did the moment go . . .

http://www.acdsystems.com/community/articles/phototips/article?id=2005-09-01

Above all, of course, a great photo stands on its own merits regardless of how it was taken. I always wonder about what qualities the great photographers had (beyond a mysterious talent) that allowed them to produce so many great pictures. Hence, this posting.

Since I'm a visual person, I have attached a photo that I like and enjoyed making. I would love to see people post their pics.

Cheers

A creperie in Toronto. Been there?

 

[sirius]

...in the same place. I like the dissolving waitress. 🙂

 

[JoshRoot]

I love how a photograph is document of a relationship that a photographer builds with their subjects. Permission is given with a look or a smile; or refused with body language. Shots of backsides and grab shots so often communicate a feeling of timidness rather than the warmth of a relationship shared. It is not important whether is a brief glance that is shared or a photo of someone you have known all your life. Geez, I would so much rather be relaxed when I am taking a photo and thinking about how to catch a moment rather than being self-conscious and sneaky. How can you feelings not come out in your art?

EXCELLENT POST!

That is exactly how I feel every time I see a thread full of photos that were taken "on the sly". I guess I feel that anyone who is sneaky enough can take photos without the subjects knowing. But with few exceptions, I really dislike that kind of work. It takes a rare photographer to pull it off. Most of the rest that I see just end up looking (to ME) like they stole the image, rather than saw and captured it.

Hmmm, that doesn't really seem to be a good way of describing my feelings, it sounds like I have a negative opinion of "on the sly" photographers, which I do not. How about this:

Photography is many things to many people, and other photographers should shoot whatever style and subjects that makes them happy. However, I would rather work on creating images that can only come from my connection to the subject. Be it a person, a place, or an object.

 

[StuartR]

"I guess I feel that anyone who is sneaky enough can take photos without the subjects knowing."

I sort of feel the same way about taking pictures of people you know. I think it is much easier to take photos of your family and friends than it is to get a good shot of someone you don't know. Anyway, I like both genres and I think it is really up to the photographer. And certainly there are times on the street where if you stop and ask for permission you will lose the shot. Here are two...one from each genre:

 

[JoshRoot]

I sort of feel the same way about taking pictures of people you know. I think it is much easier to take photos of your family and friends than it is to get a good shot of someone you don't know.

Oh absolutely. I completely agree.

That is why, while some of my images of friends/family might be technically & artistically very good images, they aren't the ones that I am most proud of in a 'photographic' sense. Though obviously I may be proud of them 'emotionally'.

But I see shooting photos of family & friends as a way to practice/rehearse my skills for times when I am with people who don't know me as well (or at all).

 

[StuartR]

Amen brother.

 

[Luz]

Shooting people you know can be painful and often quite dull...like shooting a band or pets. I'll take strangers in strange places any day.

 

[wintoid]

Hi Sirius, I enjoyed your post. I just wanted to make 1 comment...

I love Edward Steichen's "Family of Man Exhibit" because of its truthfulness and honesty about what it means to be a human being.

Family of children, the followup, is probably what originally got me into photography in the first place (aged about 8 when I first encountered the book). I find it even better than the family of man.

 

[RML]

Shooting people you know can be painful and often quite dull...like shooting a band or pets. I'll take strangers in strange places any day.

Still, I'm glad I took this shot ( http://shardsofphotography2.blogspot.com/2006/01/paw-2-2006.html ). Grandma is moving house in a week and my sis and I visited her in her old house last week. Grandma doesn't like to be shot as she feels very self-conscious. IMO she looked good, especially for an 85 year old who had just been ill.

Painful or dull, some things just have to be done. Now, say AAAAA.... 🙂

 

[simplicity]

"Shooting people you know can be painful..."

That is brilliant.... could also lead to a prison sentence.... sorry just couldn't help but to comment on that 🙂

 

[JoshRoot]

Shooting people you know can be painful and often quite dull

Sounds like you need friends who do more interesting stuff. I find plenty to shoot with the people I know.