OK here’s something different from me for a change. I have come across many photographers who learn the basics of photography and kind of just wing it from then on. Now this isn’t a bad thing at all as winging it involves a lot of experimenting, resulting in learning things you probably wouldn’t have found in a photography book. I was one of them photographers I picked up a camera and learnt the basics, I then spent the next 4 years just winging it until I reached a stage where I felt like something was missing or maybe my thirst for knowledge got the best of me.
I think I was struck with disappointment at first, I remember clearly standing in an art gallery staring at a black and white photograph by Martin Parr and thinking WTF is happening. The photograph looked like it had been snapped on a disposable camera and the negative had been rushed through by the intern while eating a sandwich or maybe Jessops washed the negatives for him who knows. Nonetheless this image was in an art gallery and I couldn’t work out why. So I went on a hunt for knowledge, I ended up studying semiotics at university, which was interesting I felt like I had left University not really learning much just a bunch of theory about signs and symbols. Then one day a few years later I woke up and it kind of just clicked it really did happen like that. I know knew what Martin Parr was showing, it was realism he was showing the ugly, nasty truth that we all seek for and he did it so well. A dollop of ice cream dripping down someone’s face this is what he wanted to show not a pretty face smiling. This sent me on a spiral of researching and reading books on anything and everything to do with the psychology of imagery and human emotion to an extent.
So what did I learn? The truth is I’m still learning and I don’t think I’ll ever stop however I now appreciate realism a lot more than I did. I ended up becoming a fashion and portrait photographer so taking countless photographs of models and headshots was were it was at until recently where I try and bring out a hint of realism even if it is just through the way the models looks back at me, now I don’t look just for the light or the right pose but rather moments where human emotion slips through and that my friends is when I click that shutter.
This isn’t to say that’s all I learnt, composition, lighting, tone and even audience play a huge part in all of this. But here are a few photographs I took at a make up academy, I had a few minutes with each model so couldn’t really spend as long as I wanted with each person but here is me attempting to capture something more than just a person staring back at me dead faced. A lot of these girls weren't pro models and probably their first time attempting posing in front of a camera.
Absolutely stunning portraits! Absolute top quality job on these. You're right too its a very familiar story. A lot of photographers make pretty fast progress initially and then plateau. It can be frustrating and disappointing but I do believe hard work always pays off. The stunning quality of your work is proof of that.
Thank you dude, its unreal how many photographers i come across like this especially after they've completed a few 3 days workshops and i'm in it for the long run and i'm sure you are too judging from your photography also :)
Very beautiful portraits. Good work at the contrast management you achieved in them.
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Thank you very much 😊
So stunning portraits!!
Thank you so much :)
Always hard moments in life also have a good impact on ourselves. It's just that in those moments it's hard to realize that, but by time you won't regret a damn thing and will see that everything was for your own good :)
Very well said and so true we never know whats meant for good or bad usually by the time we realise its long gone and just a memory
Indeed :)
What a solid set, beautiful tones. The simplicity avoids that sensory overload we get too often these days and allows you to appreciate the craft behind these. Great write up too. I feel I need more disappointment in my life now :)
cheers man :) i just happen to find myself in situations with a small bag that just has a camera, lens and one light a lot of the times. You'll be fine without the disappointment, just go out and shoot!
I'm a perfectionist so it made me improve pretty much everything in my life, but its also a curse that could hold you back in life because you're afraid to move on. Your work here looks amazing regardless!
Thank you and yes you have to know when enough is enough sometimes
Beauty! I subscribed to your blog!
Come and visit me!
Thank you!
thank you very much and i will check out your blog :)
Wow, what awesome article ohhh and the shots too ;-) Its fun to use models. I took a class about 6-8 months ago and we had some models in it. I gave some love to this article :-) Have a look at what I posted today. https://steemit.com/photography/@boyerobert/reflection
Classes are a great place to learn also they're fun and i will check it out now :)
i dont know much about photography but as a common person your clicks made me impressed AWESOME i can just say and i cant stop myself from upvoting :)
Thank you very much and i dont think any one is common we all have our own ways of expressing our creativity :) thanks again