Can't Smile and Open my Eyes at the same time

donald

donald

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let me think....Donald
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Well that what my wife said tonight as I tried to take some pictures of her. Either nice smile but eyes closed or eyes open and "odd" lips". Any suggestions how I can teach her to multitask?

Donald
 
Never ask a model to smile, this will only give a false smile and not look good. Build up a rapport with your model, tell a joke or two, ask them to think about something that they like, their favourite thing, their favourite day!
 
EdBray said:
Never ask a model to smile, this will only give a false smile and not look good. Build up a rapport with your model, tell a joke or two, ask them to think about something that they like, their favourite thing, their favourite day!
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+1 for this. Also don't let there be suspense waiting for the photo. ie hold it.....hold it..... snap. It's best as above to be natural and take shots at appropriate times, like just after saying something that will provoke an appropriate respone, such as a small joke will just make a happy look, or a funny joke will create a laugh. Getting them to reminisce - a thoughtful look etc
 
Get a picture of a naked Mr Clooney stuck on your forehead, it never fails.
 
tiler65 said:
Get a picture of a naked Mr Clooney stuck on your forehead, it never fails.
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do I have to - thanks for the replies. Engagement is what I am learning here, keep the talking going and get here to smile naturally. You would have thought after 24 years of marriage we were past that:love:. Seriously though quite pleased with some of the photo's. I think the lighting was good, just need to get her face sorted now:)
 
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OMG - I hadn't thought of that, better not let her see this thread. Fair play to her in our second session she was much more relaxed and it shows in the pictures, you never know she may even let me post some on here one day.
 
As said before rapport is everything when it comes to shooting people. Dont ask them to smile it will look horrible and for gods sake dont say cheese :lol:

Make her laugh, or think back to a happy time in her life. Another trick is to frame the shot in the viewfinder and when you are happy hold the camera still and move your head back from the eyepiece so you are looking at her and then talk to her. People relax immediately when you have eye contact and are not looking at them through a huge lens. When she then smiles or hits that moment you have been waiting for just fire the trigger as you should still have you finger on it and it should still be focused and framed.

I hope that makes sense :D
 
EdBray said:
Never ask a model to smile, this will only give a false smile and not look good. Build up a rapport with your model, tell a joke or two, ask them to think about something that they like, their favourite thing, their favourite day!
Click to expand...

Married? I can think of little to make my wife smile, certainly not a request, or a joke (she'll have heard them before) perhaps you should wave your cash card. :):D:)
 
'Well Smile!' with a big grin just as you click the shutter normally gets an involuntary genuine smile. I have to admit this has worked every time.
 
Originally Posted by donald
"just need to get her face sorted now"

Let her see the post, you could always go for a moody portrait look.
 
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