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What sets a good picture apart from the rest? One might say that all the difference lies in the camera you use, but a more experienced photographer would immediately prove you wrong. In photography lighting was and still remains one of the most impor..... Read the rest of this entry »
Photography Forums
A very good way for professional photographers to promote their online photography business is using a photography forum. A photography forum is also very useful for amateur photographers, because they can be given there professional advice from more..... Read the rest of this entry »
Photography Forum
Photography has become for many people not only a pleasant hobby, but also a way of earning a lot of money. Many photographers have become professionals by getting the best cameras and by learning the latest techniques in the field. Learning them is..... Read the rest of this entry »
Photography Forum Tips And Advices
There are many professional photographers who are constantly looking for new ways of promoting their online photography business. A new way to help for more exposure for websites to be created is being represented by the use of photography forums, th..... Read the rest of this entry »
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Any individual aspiring to become a noted photographer should permanently look for a way to improve the overall skills in taking photos. Under these circumstances, attending a photography course appears to be a most inspired option. There is no doubt..... Read the rest of this entry »
Photography Articles Why Use Black And White In The Digital Age
Why should we still use black and white? Going through some photography articles the example of the controversial movie 'Schindler's List' (1993) by Steven Spielberg pops out as it was presented in the screens in black and white color. The critics ex..... Read the rest of this entry »
“Where’d you find this guy!”
“Where’d you find this guy!”
Executive portrait were always traditional and predictable…. boring! But they don’t have
to be. Whenever I shoot an exec session, I ask a lot of questions and dig deeper into what the
person is all about. I’m looking for a creative angle, something that we help me create an image
that is unique and in tune with what the client is all about.
to be. Whenever I shoot an exec session, I ask a lot of questions and dig deeper into what the
person is all about. I’m looking for a creative angle, something that we help me create an image
that is unique and in tune with what the client is all about.
Of course, this involves their work and station in life. What do they do? How do they
perceive themselves? Where are they using the image? Are they willing to take a more artistic
approach and consider something different? blah blah blah…..keep digging! You’ll find gold
eventually.
Most folks are willing, and to varying degrees, depending on their comfort level and the nature of
their work, I will include some unique content for them. I like to push, prod and stretch them.
A few days ago, I was on location to shoot the new director of the new school
or architecture, for a cover shoot of our university’s alumni magazine. I never met the guy
before the shoot. It was cold, windy and he was late. I was cold, tired. I had very little
idea, if any, of what the creative folks who run and edit and create the magazine want. Dang!
or architecture, for a cover shoot of our university’s alumni magazine. I never met the guy
before the shoot. It was cold, windy and he was late. I was cold, tired. I had very little
idea, if any, of what the creative folks who run and edit and create the magazine want. Dang!
They tell me nothing, most of the time. It’s a rare situation when I am given directives, ideas
and a specific vision of what they are trying to achieve.
and a specific vision of what they are trying to achieve.
I’m not bitchin here. This is so much the status quo, I simply learned to accept it, and move on
from there. They do give some direction, but most of the time it’s amateur level
guesswork from office staff and other non qualified folks involved. Fun.
from there. They do give some direction, but most of the time it’s amateur level
guesswork from office staff and other non qualified folks involved. Fun.
So, as mentioned, I ask a lot of questions, both of them and of the the person
I am shooting. Looking for gold.
I am shooting. Looking for gold.
Now this guy’s kind cool. Older, long flowing grey hair. Laid back, easy going
and not your typical exec-professor type.
and not your typical exec-professor type.
This is good. I can quickly establish myself. This is important. For him to connect
and get on board with me, it’s key that he not view me as a robot, someone who
merely has some technical knowledge, assigned to capture images under the
boring directives of those who hired me.
and get on board with me, it’s key that he not view me as a robot, someone who
merely has some technical knowledge, assigned to capture images under the
boring directives of those who hired me.
Boring. And fall into that trap and your doomed. Besides, I’m an artist dammit!
I gotta make em see that. And I’m not shy.
My point here is to let them see who YOU ARE. That way, you garner respect,
respect for your vision, your ideas, your goals. If you site back and wait for them.
again, your doomed.
respect for your vision, your ideas, your goals. If you site back and wait for them.
again, your doomed.
This guy, eventually, says to the office lady-admin person who was tagging along:
“Where’d you find this guy?”
“Where’d you find this guy?”
You see, he didn’t know me from Adams Apple….until then.
He likes me. Likes my weirdness. My sense of humour. This is important.
That way, I get better shots from him, and possibly now have him
as a long term client (he and his wife just had twin babies- as soon as
she moves into town to join him, guess who’s gonna open em into
coming out to the studio?)
as a long term client (he and his wife just had twin babies- as soon as
she moves into town to join him, guess who’s gonna open em into
coming out to the studio?)
Anyhoo, here’s my first shot of him. Off camera flash. One SB800 off to my
right. The building is part of the story, since this is where they are building,
transforming the new school at. I did take several poses, him looking at camera,
some smiling etc etc etc…meantime fighting frostbite…seriously…it was cold!
Below, Nikon D700, 14-24MM
right. The building is part of the story, since this is where they are building,
transforming the new school at. I did take several poses, him looking at camera,
some smiling etc etc etc…meantime fighting frostbite…seriously…it was cold!
Below, Nikon D700, 14-24MM
An hour and a half later, after walking around, stopping and shooting
more angles, areas, more downtown looks….which is what they wanted, stopped
for one last shot, 70-200MM…….
more angles, areas, more downtown looks….which is what they wanted, stopped
for one last shot, 70-200MM…….
My main point here, besides sharing with you some thoughts, plans and background
on this one session, is that there can and ought to be some room for creative output in these
sessions so you can bring images that make a statement, impress the clients, and, well
get the job done so you can get paid, go home, do it again another day….soon….
on this one session, is that there can and ought to be some room for creative output in these
sessions so you can bring images that make a statement, impress the clients, and, well
get the job done so you can get paid, go home, do it again another day….soon….
Some more ramblings…..
In the image below, this man is an engineer who is upper management, manages a large group ofengineers, and the image to be used internally, for the most part. He’s your stereotypical left brain
smart dude, but we decided to go more relaxed, coat open, hand in pocket. Not too edgy, given
the nature and constraints of his position.
This lady is a real estate agent who has a very pleasant and approachable personality, and I
tried to capture that. Hands at face can look very bad and hokey, so it has to be done carefully
so it looks natural.
tried to capture that. Hands at face can look very bad and hokey, so it has to be done carefully
so it looks natural.
This lady is a caterer and we decided to add more story, so we incorporated a prop and some
action, of sorts, into what became her favorite and most used image…
All studio shots are with my 24-70 at 70mm, f8 Nikon D700.
A completely natural light image in a lawyers office, no suit jacket, casual, approachable yet
authoritative…..
authoritative…..
In the image below, a federal level politician who represents a local area wanted something that
showed where he was from. His image stood out from all the other politicians he works
alongside with these local landmarks. This image taken with the 20-70 but wider, at about f11,
with off camera flash.
Sometimes all they want is a straight ahead studio shot. I try to pose these relaxed and genuine.
Never stiff and formal.
In this image the lady was shot at an office, light pouring in from a skylight, bounced light back
into her face using a silver reflector. This one shot with the 70-200, at 2.8 for compression and
instant fall off of the background.
In these example below, this lady is a well known event planner. I suggested something totally
offbeat, and she loved it! These images make a statement!
And finally, this is a shot of the owner of a yoga studio. After shooting some regular natural light
stuff in her studio, I said we had to get out and shoot this idea I had. Her studio name is based
on this street name. But it’s so unique it works. She loved it and uses this one all this time.
As you can see, shooting these types of images are open to creativity. And, your personality
plays a key role. Also, you have to master the fine art of discretion, depending on the situation.
And know when to let it all lose and go nuts….so they say: “Where`d you find this guy?”
plays a key role. Also, you have to master the fine art of discretion, depending on the situation.
And know when to let it all lose and go nuts….so they say: “Where`d you find this guy?”
Yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
Details HERE