Taking pictures of the non-photogenic subject

[johnnyrod]

Here's a question for you. How do you get a good picture of someone who doesn't seem to be photogenic? I struggle with both my wife and daughter, who are good looking but I can't seem to get decent pictures of them. My daughter is 7 years old, so gaining compliance is still a bit of an issue I admit, screwed up faces and so on as if I can change it after I've taken the picture. My wife doesn't like having her picture taken, though I've almost got her out of the habit of trying to bend out of a picture like Neo in the Matrix. I'm not much of a portrait-taker and I think I rush things a bit perhaps. With my daughter, even if I've got the camera ready (I mostly shoot film), I sometimes fiddle with it to get her to relax a bit. With my wife, the shots just don't seem very flattering, or look much like her, it's not easy to put into words.

Anyway, there is a tremendous body of experience in RFF, I would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[raydm6]

I had a friend who wasn't very photogenic or exited when looking into the camera so taking photo's in a more candid/unexpected fashion when she wasn't aware or looking at the camera, captured more natural/expressive results.


Karsh had some interesting techniques to bring out the emotive in his subjects (see #6 "7 Things Yousuf Karsh Can Teach You About Photography")

 

[retinax]

Something I struggle with myself. Keeping at it has yielded a few decent photos eventually, might have s.t. to do with the person getting used to it, not tensing up any more...

I suspect that with people close to us, we're used to seeing them from close up. Pictures from further away will look different (perspective), and so will pictures from close up if viewed from further away because foreshortening will be more painfully obvious.
Don't listen to the portrayed person's judgement, they're used to seeing themselves in the mirror, and a face looks different if the sides are flipped, and are often overly critical anyway.

Curious what experienced portrait photographers have to say.

 

[giulio stucchi]

Hey Johnny,
I would suggest not to think to much about it, just take the picture(s), look at the results and keep doing it till you find your way / approach and till they get confident with you taking the pic.
Most of time the subjects of my photos are my wife and my daugther.
My wife doesn't like me taking picture of her and most of the time she assume a "fake pose" trying to escape the pic but in the right situation the result could be fully rewarding.
My daughter will be 6 end of the year and more and more she wants to pose, in that case I just don't shoot and wait for the right moment to grab the shot.
I only use fully manual film camera (mainly a leica m2) so pretty much the same scenario as yours.
Relax and enjoy those keeper frames for the years to come, it will work out more naturally than you might think


if you like to have a look, you could find samples here :


https://www.flickr.com/photos/atelierdelvizio


cheers
giulio




PS: My daughter helped me out with devoloping film for her very first time yesterday, she was responsible for the tank inversions, good fun!

 

[charjohncarter]

I agree with raydm6, candid shots. Also seven year olds make it hard:

Kodak Gold 100 by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[B-9]

Keep at it!

No kids of my own, but I know all about reluctant wife’s!

I’ve got my oldest niece and nephew trained pretty well around the camera.
I just have to pull out the camera and point it their way and bam I’ve got a quick pose until they hear the shutter click then back to play.

I’m working on the youngest niece now. Almost a year old. It’s gonna take some time!

Best of Luck!

 

[David Hughes]

I hope they don't read the opening post...

 

[Guy Pinhas]

Personally I think it has to do with comfort level with the camera. I have a friend of mine who is gorgeous on film, because she just loves the camera (exhibitionism?) and some that are gorgeous in real life but are so camera shy that it's hard to get a good shot out of them. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I am convinced that it has everything to do with the subject's perception of themselves being photographed. Some have convinced themselves that are not "photogenic" and create a self fulfilling prophecy. I have a sister who hates being photographed because she deems herself not photogenic. Otherwise, a confident person with high self esteem. As a result, we have almost no good photos of her. On the other side, my wife is a very confident public speaker and believes she photographs well. She looks good but actually better in photos than real life. (she is Cuban, never uses internet, so will never read this)


So I believe there is little you can do using photo techniques to improve the situation. The best you can do is to include them in group photos while working quickly and confidently.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Non-photogenic subjects are the best subjects for photography.

Leica III, Elmar 50mm f/3.5 uncoated, 400-2TMY, printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

I think it has to do with the relatedness of subject and photographer. Getting them to relax and be comfortable. To be themselves. I'm not very good at it, but I have seen photographers who are.

 

[johnnyrod]

Hmm interesting thoughts, many thanks.
David - she'd agree with my opening statement, and would be happy with a good picture but then never gives me the chance to take it!
Retinax - interesting thoughts, we are also used to seeing people in 3D which is quite noticeable close up.
Bob - dead on I think. Maybe I do just need to point the camera at them a lot more until they take less notice of it? I have some nice candid shots but I think (with respect) we can all take those, given the necessary luck, it's the ones where they notice me that are the problem.
I would love to hear from others - for example I remember seeing some of Keith's pics, to single out just one person, mainly because I can't remember any of the names from the many good ones I've seen on here!

 

[Bill Clark]

I had a couple, making engagement photographs, that were self-conscious of how they would look in the photos.

A glass of wine and some getting to know each conversation changed the mood and atmosphere! I didn’t do this very often. It’s the getting to know them time that helped me. I sometimes would grill burgers and visit before the engagement session. I viewed this rime spent with them as if they were my friends.

I couldn’t believe comments I’d receive on other photographers and how they treated people, usually at the event.

Kids usually pretty easy. Teenagers can be a real pita.

That’s the job of the photographer, getting beautiful photographs. If you can’t do it, then figure out why. People skills, some have it, others don’t. Simple.

Smiles.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

This issue isn't whether or not the person is photogenic but whether the person perceives himself or herself as photogenic. My wife is the most photogenic person I've ever met (she looks awesome even in her driver's license picture), but she never likes the way she looks in pictures.



I find the best thing to do is try to photograph my wife doing things she likes or interacting with our daughter. She's a lot less critical of these types of pictures than posed portraits.

 

[Greyscale]

It is sometimes difficult to be subjective about those close to you. Would you think that they were non-photogenic if they were complete strangers?

 

[Greyscale]

I recently took this photograph of Jo, who was reticent about being photographed because she thought that she was "not photogenic". She was wrong. My advice is to continue photographing your family, because if you do not, you will regret it in twenty years.


Nikkor 85/1.8 pre Ai, Sony A7ii by Mike Novak, on Flickr

 

[Steve M.]

My specialty is portraits, and I never use a tripod or pose anyone. Helps to have a camera w/ motorized film advance, but you can do it w/ a camera that doesn't have one. I also use a long lens, at least an 85, but presently I use a 135, which enables me to stand well out of people's personal space. Figure on two rolls at least to get a couple pf keepers, and that's fine. Keep talking w/ the sitter(s), joke around, make it fun. It IS fun. When people enjoy something, it lights up their eyes and smiles. Works every time. An SLR is far better than anything else because you can see exactly what is happening in the frame.

Note: there are no un-photogenic people, there is only bad light and bad settings. Light is very important w/ portraits. Fix that, have fun, and it will work. I always work outdoors if possible, and down by the Rio Grande's bosque if I can. Makes it more natural and casual. I see these "pros", or soccer moms and dads pretending to be pros, lugging big DSLR's and a light on a stand here in Albuquerque's Old Town every day, taking their victims over to bad light, firing their flash, making commands! to their sitter. I shudder to see those photos.

 

[retinax]

Come to think of it, the best casual "portraits" I've done in a while were of friends when we were all pretty drunk. They have some technical deficiencies but the relaxed mood really shows 😉

 

[Guy Pinhas]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no?

 

[mpaniagua]

Thats the struggle I face. I won't say she is non-photogenic but rather elusive. She doesn't like her portrair taken. And when she comply, she pourposely put a rather weird face 🙂.


My solution is to always have a camera with a tele ready. Usually 80-135. I've managed to get some pretty great pictures of her, in the sense it reflect her nature not in a technical way.


Keep trying and eventually the will get tired and comply 🙂


Regards


Marcelo