People - Why only 2 decent shots out of 200?

[Radtech1]

I find that people are the hardest to photograph. Objects don't say "Would you take it already!" But I think I did OK on a trip to the park the other day

http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/MarciaS.jpg (http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/Marcia.jpg)

And

http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/MandBaS.jpg (http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/MandBa.jpg)

Any thoughts, comments or critiques please.

Radtech

[eland]

Hi Radtech

People have become conditioned by folk with cameras
taking forever to take a snap.

You will have to start "re-programming" the thinking of people
who are important to you.

Be efficient and quick.
Don't keep subjects hanging around for ages while you do
the settings on the camera and the pose.

It is vitally important to take the first shot almost straight away..........
even if you know it is not right.
The subject must know that the first one is already in the box.
They'll think "Gee that wasn't so bad." and they'll relax a bit.

Say Thank You. If they are still restless, let them go.
Otherwise say "That was really good. Just what I wanted.
You are so great to work with.
Do you mind if I take a few more just for fun ?"


If you keep it seeming easy and fun, they'll likely co-operate.

These days you can work faster as you see the result almost straight away.
Also with some proficiency with an editing program
it is simple to correct faults in the backgrounds etc.
This means that you don't have to spend so much time
placing the subject....... especially while you are still trying
to win their confidence.

Once they know that you are quick and efficient,
family members and friends will come asking for portraits.

**** even if you don't feel efficient, be quick

Watch the light. That is less easy to fix.
Open shade is good. Window light not in direct sunshine is excellent.

Remember to use fill flash if the light
is contrasty.

The ratio of successes to failures will improve quite quickly.
Become familiar working with an editing program.
It can be a life-saver. Or at least a photo-saver
and thus a reputation saver.

Kind regards
eland

[carnagex2000]

I always use the sneak attack. Keep the camera handy and on standby, you dont always want just portraits, try getting a picture of them doing something. Usually they act more natural when they dont know your taking a picture of them.

[carnagex2000]

also youll want to edit the pictures a bit, take out the noise in the photos. Nice shots though

[carnagex2000]

Here is your picture side by side, with a little less noise (and a tweak in the curves)

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=973

[GPR1]

It's true that your success ratio will improve with practice, but don't be afraid to take chances or make mistakes.

A professional nature photographer wrote that he takes 50,000 pictures a year, only a fraction of which ever were sold for stock or as prints. Most went in the wastebasket, and many sat in his files unused. This was a few years ago, and he was shooting slides. Let's be grateful for digital!