Practice, practice, practice |
This is my friend Rene. He’s a Kitchener wedding photographer. 
Rene and I meet regularly to practice together.
We delve into the deep, arcane secrets of location photography:
- seeing and finding light
- scouting locations
- developing an eye for interest and beauty
- operating the camera effortlessly
This can all be learned. Even developing an eye for interest and beauty can be learned (and having ‘taste’), though that is a longer, harder lesson that might take months or years for some.
If you told your photographer,
Wow, your pictures are beautiful, you must have a nice camera.
… it would be like saying to the cook,
Mmmm, that pad thai was delicious, you must have great pots and pans.
… or to the musician,
That performance was wonderful, you must have a nice piano.
The musician probably does have a nice piano. The nice piano did play an important part in the wonderful performance.
But what was more important?
- their ‘ear’ for great music
- their dedicated study of music
- the guidance and teaching from instructors
- the inspiration from other musicians
…. and most of all, continual practice and improvement of their craft.
Professional lenses, camera bodies and lights are only a small part of capturing interesting, attractive images. Practice is very important for photographing people.
With enough practice,
- camera controls become 2nd nature
- correct exposure and sharp focus become 2nd nature
- avoiding composition mistakes becomes habit
- seeing and recognizing beautiful lighting and locations becomes a fast habit.
That frees a large part of your attention for the most important things you can do when capturing people; observing and interacting with them.
Rene practices like a one-legged man at a kick-butt contest! He puts in more practice in a week than most photographers manage in a month. He is always ready with his camera. When he was shooting professional motorsports, he developed a quickness and a sense of timing that are more useful to wedding photography than you might guess. Capturing candid moments and real interactions at a wedding requires keen observation and fast reflexes.
You can see samples of Rene’s work at his new website; rskrodzkiphotography.ca
…… and his blog; rskrodzkiphotography.ca/blog
Last minute brides who haven’t booked a photographer for their wedding this summer might want to keep an eye on Rene’s blog for a special announcement coming soon.
For people looking to improve their people photography, here’s my 1st tip:
Put the camera down and speak with them. The comfort level of your subject and how at ease they feel around you will contribute more to good images than all the technical camera mastery you could gain from months of study.
OK, I know, that’s a really short tip. …..but it’s very important –> read it 2 or 3 times; that will make it seem longer.
Would my loyal readers (either of you) like me to continue with posting tips on improving your photography? Leave me a comment or shoot me an email if you like that idea.
Wow Jay, that is some nice words about me there. Thank you very much for the kind words and build up, after reading that I wanna hire me
The site is really looking great. Looking forward to more good things from you in the near future.
Rene
July 5th, 2008Hey, thanks for the comments Rene. I’m glad you like the site. That night practice yesterday was cool!
July 5th, 2008Always fun to get together and share your knowledge. Looks like you guys had a great time. Awesome job on your webpage too Jay. See you online!
Dorothy
July 5th, 2008Hey Jay. I’ve seen a few of your other photos on NoBS. Awesome stuff! Maybe one day we’ll meet up and get that cup of coffee we briefly spoke of a while back. Take care.
July 5th, 2008Jay – it’s really cool what you have done with your site. Sweet work as well.
- Rob
July 6th, 2008Dorothy, it has been fun and we always learn something new. I’m finding it helpful to be spending time on the other side of the camera too. Thanks for your thumbs up on my site!
July 6th, 2008James, a get together would be cool! … either when I’m in Windsor or when you come back to K town.
Rob, a pat on my back from you on the new site means a lot. Your SEO services and ideas have had a big influence on me. I’m excited about having something ready soon for your video submission service!
Great post….very insightful.
July 6th, 2008You have some beautiful work as well!
Hi Tracy! I appreciate your kind words. I just got to thinking that if someone had handed me a $12000 camera with a $2500 lens on it years ago, I would have produced snapshots no better than shots from a pocket digicam. People often focus on the gear and I think that’s a mistake.
July 7th, 2008Jay it is so nice of you to post about our fellow photog, Rene.
Rene is right about making your client more comfortable in order to take a great portrait of them. Can’t say that enough myself.
Hope to get you both down here one day to Harrisburg, pa to enjoy a day around Harrisburg.
Maryland Bar Mitzvah Photographer
July 7th, 2008Hey, thanks Josh! You know, we might just take you up on that. The traveling photographers’ road show! Those were my thoughts on making clients comfortable but I know that Rene agrees with this whole heartedly.
July 8th, 2008