Any tricks for getting people to look at the camera?

[photagraph]

Especially kids. I was thinking of bringing a sock puppet or something with me to my next event where there will be group portraits.

Any strategies?

[photagraph]

No ideas???

[DStanic]

:D


http://photo.net/casual-conversations-forum/00CSnG
364441

[photagraph]

Good suggestion.

[Picture North Carolina]

Pass wind (with the Pooter (http://thepooter.com/), of course). Not only will it get them to look toward you (and the camera), but also smile / laugh at the same time. Makes moms and dads laugh, too... (most, anyway). Unusual styles often get unusual and unique results.

[TomMessenger:Photo]

Doesn't the popup muppet come as standard with Nikon kit?

[hollis_f]

Doesn't the popup muppet come as standard with Nikon kit?

Only the Pro models.

[wbm]

Only the Pro models.
Yeah, unlike Canon who force you to buy an expensive external muppet with their pro and semi-pro models, even if it's only for fill-muppet duties. :D

Ewan

[[Hyuni]]

I teach 1st graders in Sunday school (5-7 years old).
Most are eager to take pictures and I find that it's better when I take candid shots rather than taking portraits.

But when I do take portraits of them, they suddenly become uncomfortable and don't smile and look nervous. I just talk to them, ask them what they learned that day and what they are going to do when they go home. They start to feel more comfortable and laugh and smile a lot more.

[hooookup]

i took a small blinking LED light and taped it to the bottom of my camera and use it on the red carpets in hollywood. so far its been great success. very nice. i like.

[stathunter]

i took a small blinking LED light and taped it to the bottom of my camera and use it on the red carpets in hollywood. so far its been great success. very nice. i like.

I would love to see a photo of that--- nifty idea.

[cosworth]

With a flash on the DOF preview button seems to attract like moths to a flame...

[Wilt]

TALK to them, ask them about their favorite friend, favorite sport, favorite dollie, favorite relative, favorite food...and be at the location where you want their eyes to be directed as the photo is taken.

[12345Michael54321]

Here's a bit of advice -

The old wisdom in taking pictures of people outdoors is to keep the sun over your shoulder.

There's some value in this, but it should not be regarded as a law carved in stone, never to be questioned or violated.

Nevertheless, some people were taught to always keep the sun behind them, and they'd sooner die than disobey this Holy Rule of Photography. As a result, their subjects tend not to look at the camera, since most people prefer not to stare into the sun. Even if they can be enticed to look at the camera, they'll often squint (which generally isn't the most flattering of expressions).

So if you're going to be photographing people (children or adults), and it's outdoors on a sunny day, consider going for side lighting. It can be extremely effective in certain situations, and it doesn't require that your subject stare into the sun if you want to see his eyes.

Oh, and I agree with the advice to talk to your subject. People are more inclined to relax, look at you, and generally open up to you, if you're talking with them, than if you're either silent, or communicating only to order them into a pose or position. This is true for children, adults, even most pets. You don't have to engage your subject in deep, profound conversation; it's more about the fact of communication, than about the precise content of the conversation. If you're photographing a landscape or a bowl of fruit, feel free to keep the chatter to a minimum.

And if you're photographing children, consider getting down to their eye level. That may mean setting up the tripod so your camera's down low, or even getting down on your knees. And again, if you're photographing a dog or cat, the best portraits will usually be taken at the animal's eye level, and not looking down at the pet from above.
--
Michael

[photagraph]

Opps sort of forgot about this thread, didn't think id get anymore responses. :) Thanks for all who made suggestions. I usually always strike up some conversation when it comes to small groups of people. I was mostly thinking for large group shots were there's 4-5 kids along with the adults. Blinking lights always seem to catch peoples attentions, only for a split second though it seems. I liked the pooter idea. Maybe I'll combine it with the puppets and have farting puppets. hehehe.