My portrait hang ups...

[Deleted member 21335]

Hopefully writing this down and getting some opinions on it will help a today I have been thinking about what I want to do with my photography and why I am not doing it. Firstly, this is not about the wedding side of things. I am happy with how that seems to be progressing and I have a direction and long plan. This is about portraits. I love people. I would love to create portraits of real people. Now this is where people tell me ask my family and friends or acquaintances and hoot them.

Well, I get ideas to the people I would like to shoot. Most recently, an athlete from a particular discipline. So I put a few feelers and messages out there and got some response of people who would like to help and let me shoot them. All well and good until I start to think about it. I seem to get lost for ideas of location, light and pose. This then develops into, 'what if I go ahead and shoot these people and the results are no good'?! They will want to see the results, as will the people they have told about the shoot, but I won't want to show them. It seems I will never get to where I want to be or do what I would like to do because of the barriers I put up before I even get out of the blocks.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[helloimkev]

Gareth, I apologise if my advice is simplistic and if I somehow miss the point, but... how about asking models to pose as these specific people you envisage shooting. Arrange as per a 'TF' agreement if said model is willing to accept something you are comfortable shooting tagged onto the shoot (I usually offer a guaranteed headshot or similar when doing test shoots). On that condition you'll have no obligation to show the more experimental images unless you're happy. Alternatively hire a few models to try different shoots, you can be pickier then and won't need to produce any images.

Just a suggestion, and like I say... sorry if I've over simplified what you were actually asking.

Kev

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Thanks Kev. Not over simplistic at all. You make some valid points. I. Have worked with models before, both paid and free and had some pleasing results. I have also read many books from some of the best photographers who do that sort of thing. Particularly McNally, Zack Arias and most recently, Gregory Heisler, as well as watching countless videos on how to light etc. yet I still can't bring myself to actually get out there and do for fear of failure.

 

[treeman]

There is a saying, I'm sure, about if you don't make mistakes, you'll never move forward, or at least something that effect.

This is totally you're own insecurities holding you back, and I'm not sure what the answer is, other than facing them.

I just had a quick look at your Flickr stream, and you're clearly a very competent photographer, you have no need to feel insecure about this.......you just gotta do it

 

[helloimkev]

Thanks Kev. Not over simplistic at all. You make some valid points. I. Have worked with models before, both paid and free and had some pleasing results. I have also read many books from some of the best photographers who do that sort of thing. Particularly McNally, Zack Arias and most recently, Gregory Heisler, as well as watching countless videos on how to light etc. yet I still can't bring myself to actually get out there and do for fear of failure.

A valid point, I find myself in the same boat sometimes. What I try to remember and appreciate is how I will feel if I don't push myself and don't get that shot I had envisioned, usually the thought of how badly I'll kick myself is enough of a boot up the backside. But each to their own I guess, I'd say keep plugging away and push yourself a little further on each time you shoot, you'll get there eventually.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

There is a saying, I'm sure, about if you don't make mistakes, you'll never move forward, or at least something that effect.

This is totally you're own insecurities holding you back, and I'm not sure what the answer is, other than facing them.

I just had a quick look at your Flickr stream, and you're clearly a very competent photographer, you have no need to feel insecure about this.......you just gotta do it

Thanks for commenting and taking a look at my Flickr. I absolutely agree that I'm held back by my own securities, I'm just struggling with a way to get over that.

 

[JennyGW]

Gareth, great photography on your stream, I mean really, awesome stuff. You are clearly skilled at what you do, have a clear vision about what you want to capture and you're developing your own style.

I do know how you feel. I'm fixing up to do my first TFP shots and I'm very anxious about it all, but the only way is to do it.

I'm thinking of ways I can guarantee, as much as possible, a successful shoot. I've taken images from the models existing portfolios and printed them at a decent size, now I'm imagining how they'll look in front of my camera. What do I see in these faces someone else didn't, how can I make these photos MY photos and not a copy or a snap?

One thing I will not be doing on my first shoots is going outside a studio style environment, so I stay very much in control of the light, etc. Practising and planning helps my confidence more than anything, and if I wasn't a little nervous then I'd really worry!

Very best of luck, can't wait to see your photos!

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Gareth, great photography on your stream, I mean really, awesome stuff. You are clearly skilled at what you do, have a clear vision about what you want to capture and you're developing your own style.

I do know how you feel. I'm fixing up to do my first TFP shots and I'm very anxious about it all, but the only way is to do it.

I'm thinking of ways I can guarantee, as much as possible, a successful shoot. I've taken images from the models existing portfolios and printed them at a decent size, now I'm imagining how they'll look in front of my camera. What do I see in these faces someone else didn't, how can I make these photos MY photos and not a copy or a snap?

One thing I will not be doing on my first shoots is going outside a studio style environment, so I stay very much in control of the light, etc. Practising and planning helps my confidence more than anything, and if I wasn't a little nervous then I'd really worry!

Very best of luck, can't wait to see your photos!

Thanks Jenny for your kind words and some of your suggestions.

 

[Pookeyhead]

Well, I get ideas to the people I would like to shoot. Most recently, an athlete from a particular discipline. So I put a few feelers and messages out there and got some response of people who would like to help and let me shoot them. All well and good until I start to think about it. I seem to get lost for ideas of location, light and pose. This then develops into, 'what if I go ahead and shoot these people and the results are no good'?! They will want to see the results, as will the people they have told about the shoot, but I won't want to show them. It seems I will never get to where I want to be or do what I would like to do because of the barriers I put up before I even get out of the blocks.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

It seems harsh, but who cares what they think? Make sure they know they're doing it as a favour to you, not because you're giving them a portrait. If they don't like it, then they don't like it. Who are you shooting for yourself, or them? If you're shooting social portraiture for a living then you have to please the client all the time (one of the reasons I stopped shooting social portraiture a very long time ago) but if this is personal work, then you shoot what you want to meet YOUR requirements, not theirs.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

It seems harsh, but who cares what they think? Make sure they know they're doing it as a favour to you, not because you're giving them a portrait. If they don't like it, then they don't like it. Who are you shooting for yourself, or them? If you're shooting social portraiture for a living then you have to please the client all the time (one of the reasons I stopped shooting social portraiture a very long time ago) but if this is personal work, then you shoot what you want to meet YOUR requirements, not theirs.

Thanks for your reply. Yes they know they are helping me out I guess due to the nature that I advertised for the people. However they would expect to see the images afterwards and I'd be gutted if they were utter garbage. Not just for them either, but for me. Because I'd be looking to try new things. OCF and such like. I think that's what worries me. Now if I don't go through with it, people will cease to take me seriously because I've asked, they've said yes then I've done nothing about it.

 

[Lyope]

When you arrange a TFP shoot, make sure to tell people that it's for *testing* and that it won't be as smooth or as predictable as if they were shelling out for a practiced pro. Everyone wants something for nothing, but most people will understand that a TF shoot isn't going to be perfect. Do your homework, come armed with the right ideas, the right gear and the know-how to use it. After that, just play.

I look at it like this - I've got ten thousand really s***ty images in me and the sooner I get them out, the better. TF is a great way to do this...

 

[cargo]

Gaz I think were twins somewhere back in time "I could have wrote your thread starter" Good luck you know what your doing, but I know your told that on a regular basis and you can hear yourself saying "really do you think so thats very kind of you to say" but I just shoot what I see and like.

Gaz

 

[Deleted member 21335]

When you arrange a TFP shoot, make sure to tell people that it's for *testing* and that it won't be as smooth or as predictable as if they were shelling out for a practiced pro. Everyone wants something for nothing, but most people will understand that a TF shoot isn't going to be perfect. Do your homework, come armed with the right ideas, the right gear and the know-how to use it. After that, just play.

I look at it like this - I've got ten thousand really tummymudty images in me and the sooner I get them out, the better. TF is a great way to do this...

Thanks for your suggestions.

Gaz I think were twins somewhere back in time "I could have wrote your thread starter" Good luck you know what your doing, but I know your told that on a regular basis and you can hear yourself saying "really do you think so thats very kind of you to say" but I just shoot what I see and like.

Gaz

Ha thanks. Yes, a few people have said that, but honestly, if i thought I knew what I was doing, I am sure things would be easier. At best I am winging it and praying for a decent result!

 

[cargo]

Thats what I mean. Just the same hear.Trouble is we think to much too.

Gaz

 

[Lyope]

Oh s*** - I never noticed the bowdlerisation filter on here...

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Oh tummymud - I never noticed the bowdlerisation filter on here...

On a slight change if topic, I saw in another thread that you've just finished reading Gregory Heislers book. I really want it but I can't decide whether to get the iPad version or proper book. I've never had one on the iPad before but the sample looked great!

 

[Lyope]

FFS get the dead tree! I'm an iPad user, but you can't appreciate work like that on a screen. The book is forty billion times nicer to hold and look at, trust me.

 

[BMG]

Just had a look through your Flickr and I am highly envious, you don't seem to have an issue with taking photos of people on the street, something I cannot bring myself to do. On the confidence front, all I have ever concerned myself is, what is the worse that can happen? As long as no one dies it can't be that bad. If the results are not great, so what learn from why they weren't great and try again! It's the only way I keep myself using my camera and my photos are not that great. Bit waffley but hope it helps.

 

[Tunbridge]

I think you'll be fine and that your lack of confidence doesn't have as much grounding as you think it has.
Just get out there and try it, the chances are it will all slot into place. Even if you think it as disaster it probably won't have been. I've took some photos I thought were terrible that other people have loved!

 

[Deleted member 21335]

FFS get the dead tree! I'm an iPad user, but you can't appreciate work like that on a screen. The book is forty billion times nicer to hold and look at, trust me.

Thanks. Still undecided so have done neither. Would still like it though. The sample looked great on the iPad. I actually enjoyed reading it. Perhaps I will get both eventually.

Just had a look through your Flickr and I am highly envious, you don't seem to have an issue with taking photos of people on the street, something I cannot bring myself to do. On the confidence front, all I have ever concerned myself is, what is the worse that can happen? As long as no one dies it can't be that bad. If the results are not great, so what learn from why they weren't great and try again! It's the only way I keep myself using my camera and my photos are not that great. Bit waffley but hope it helps.

Thanks for the compliments.

I think you'll be fine and that your lack of confidence doesn't have as much grounding as you think it has.
Just get out there and try it, the chances are it will all slot into place. Even if you think it as disaster it probably won't have been. I've took some photos I thought were terrible that other people have loved!

Thanks. i will certainly give it a go.