Don’t worry I’ve not gone over the edge just yet. By shooting people I mean taking photographs of human beings. I’ve read the numerous books about it. I’ve bought the magazine specifically on the subject and I’ve watched countless numbers of web videos. So why do I still hold back on actually doing more portraits?
As a photographer I tend to shoot a lot of landscapes as I have no need to pose them and you can more or less always get a perfect picture. I also have a tendency to photograph pets and wildlife, my skills in this still need improving but I enjoy it immensely. I think this is because they can’t comment or criticize if the photographs don’t come out as planned. I can alway use the knowledge learnt on depth of field from my plant life pictures. I have had a chance to photograph my baby and a friend of mine who is a mother of two little girls and they came out alright. My is too shy to let me photograph her “professionally” all my photographs of her are candid ones.
So what would I need to start photographing people. I don’t have a home studio so most of my shots will be outside or by a window. I do have a reflector so would need an assistant to hold it, but mainly I would need people to photograph who I feel easy with. Some of my friends have volunteered to be practice models which I will be a great help, but would I find it more nerve wrecking to tell my friends how to sit or stand. I would love to work with someone who has done modeling before as they will have more idea on what poses would work best, but I wouldn’t be comfortable with this, at least I don’t think I would.
My next step will be to think up some projects, poses and looking at each person that will be willing to be my test subjects and see what props will be needed and locations to shoot in.
Any advice on this subject feel free to post a comment or send a message.
Many thanks
Rob
