The next step…….
I was reading Scott Kelby’s blog a few days ago and found a wonderful article by Chris Orwig. Chris is a professor of photography at Brooks Institute, one of the most prestigous photography schools in America. His article was on Authentic Portraits and it really struck a cord with me.
I don’t know how you are, but I need cosntant challenges, new things to study and attempt to master. I love people, my family, freinds and perfect strangers I meet in the couse of just living! I’ve alwasy wanted to be able to captutre them in truly authentic ways, this article and the purchase of his wonderful book Authentic Portraits has lit a fire under me.
As a photographer I want to always learn more and get better at the craft and this is an area I really want to work on. As a Christian, I want to share God’s love and be a blessing to others for his glory. I’ve mad some portraits that I think really reveal the person, but I want ot get a lot better at connecting with people, being more authentic myself and find the authenticity in others, and hopefuly capture it!
I’m sharing this because I may approach you someday and ask you to let me try to make an authentic portrait of you!!! I will with my family and, well you’re my friends!
Here are a few of my favorite efforts over the years, I hope, I can add your portrait to this collection.
Catherine and B.J.
Catherine in Ballet performance.
Catherine on a outing with dad.
David Middleton
Unknown fiddle player in Smokies.
Mike Ellison
Bill Pekala
Wes and Abigail
Scott and Wes their last photograph together.
Len Jr and his father Len Rue III
Scott and Ben.
The late great Hugh Morton and friend.
Legendary nature photographer John Shaw
Catherine and B.J. again.
Jack in the field at Five Guys!
Sherelene and my 50th anniversary shot (self portrait)
Well, I’m going to work on doing a lot more, you may be next!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at 9:50 pm
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Your portraits are wonderful. You have captured not only the subject but something that tells us of the subject.
Thanks David, I plan to really get serious about this project!
“The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.” Henri Cartier-Bresson
Photos of People are Important. Over the last few years I’ve been scanning and storing a few thousand old family photographs. Old pictures of people, whether generations ago, or just a few years ago, are a treasure. The old pictures of places we visited or things that were seen are not very meaningful anymore. But the photos of people we love doing ordinary things and just enjoying life together; those are the true precious treasures.
Amen, who needs another shot of Mesa Arch anyway!
Well, for those of us who have never been there, watch what you say! 😀
Your choice of challenge is a good one – one I should try to emulate! The only “real” portraits I seem to shoot are of my grandkids. Great subjects that I dearly love to photograph, but I need to expand my portrait-taking ability to other subjects. Something to work on in the coming year!
I know these kinds of images are the only ones that will endure!
Half-empty or half-full? Not sure. I understand your point but, at the same time, remind people that the lenses I use that can record condensation on the nose hair of an elk will not do wonders for human skin! There are considerable differences but, for those willing to undertake them, some wonderful possibilities.
That said, you are spot on about the artistic value of portraiture. 20 years ago I met a young photographer — soccer mom — in Boulder. She had the most amazing photos of people from bishops to kids and none of them looked like plastic bride/groom figurines on top of a wedding cake. They had setting and personality. Kids don’t look like the Wal-Mart photo studios photos. They have chocolate on their face and shirt, scraped knees, theatrical grins, etc. Anyone who can master lighting can take a good staged portrait (and I am not one of them as far as that goes) but it takes an artist to record an image that makes the person come alive. Good luck!
Thanks, I will need it!
I am going to do more of this too…for the challenge and the memories..
We will enjoy the adventure together!