Photo Myth #1 - Subject Must Look at Camera
Tuesday March 25, 2008
Its something I hear far too often when I see people taking pictures of their children or friends..."look at the camera," "smile," "oh don't squint," and "smile for real." Forcing a subject to look at the camera ruins more good photographs than you would think possible. Parents spend so much time trying to coax a "real" smile out of their children that the end result is often tears from the children and yelling from the adults. Photographs are meant to be records of life. Do you want your photographs to record anger and sorrow? Stop believing there is one "right" way to take photographs of your children, family, and friends. Make photography a happy (or at least relaxed) event instead of a traumatic confrontation that might require years of therapy to recover from.
Make sure you plan for plenty of time when taking family portraits so that no one feels rushed. Make sure there are toys to keep children entertained. Light snacks and water are also a good idea if you will be outside for a fairly long time. And above all else, remember that it is Photo Myth #1 that a subject must look at the camera.
Make sure you plan for plenty of time when taking family portraits so that no one feels rushed. Make sure there are toys to keep children entertained. Light snacks and water are also a good idea if you will be outside for a fairly long time. And above all else, remember that it is Photo Myth #1 that a subject must look at the camera.
Comments
I am the kind that likes to take pictures when you least expect it! I like the expontanious (sp) kind of pictures, real life shots I called them.
I have a hard time w/my neice because she doesnt ever look at the camera so I just go crazy taking pictures and then delete the ones that are not so good.
On the rare occassions I do actually point my camera a person, I rarely, if ever, take a photo of someone looking at the camera.
looking to the left, right, up down, profile shots, what ever, just never straight on looking into the lens!
On my portraits sessions. I do a combinations of both posed looking at the camera as well as natural photos not looking at teh camera to cover all bases and meet all expectations.
Thanks,3
Rich
http://www.richfryephotography.com
http://www.elegantcaliforniaweddings.com
On my portrait sessions I do a combiation of both, the subject looking at the camera as well as natual looking photos with them not. Both styles serve their purose.
Thanks,
Rich
If I wait for someone to look at the camera or for a pose, there would be hundreds great photos I would have missed out on. I actually find it a lot more fun to take what I call Cameo shots – totally spontaneous. Lots more fun and much better shots.
I completely agree. I work in a studio, and it makes me ill almost to hear the word cheese. Some of the most beautiful images are candid shots that not only display the child, but the child’s personality, thoughts, emotions. I’m so tired of parents specifying the desire for images ‘only if he/she’s looking right in the camera..’
or ‘that’s not her normal smile’ despite its natural beauty. What is wrong with people?! :p