Low-Key Theatre
This surprise photoshoot went better than I thought it would, but not as well as I had hoped it would. I am definitely lacking in the area of low-key portrait photography. The results here don't look too bad I suppose, but the clarity of the images is nowhere near where I would have wanted it to be. I think I am going to have to study up a lot more if I am to get better at it.
We were in a theatre using some of the theatre spotlights as the light source. I tried some with a flash, but they mostly came out to harsh for my liking, even on the lowest setting. I was not sure what settings to use on the camera either. I don't mean the refined settings - I just mean the basic settings. I felt like a complete beginner with a camera I have never used before, just randomly turning dials and changing numbers in the hope that I was turning them into the right direction and I'd get a passable result.
Passable
Friend
The first group you will see here are ones I have selected of my friend that don't really show her face. She is hard to shoot for me because she is always moving, always dancing, always has her arms and fingers and hips going this way and that. I like that she is always dancing, especially after all the challenges she has faced over the last decade in her cancer fight. Of course, this was also the point of the shoot, so I just let her dance and tried to get some usable shots.
I had to take many just to get a handful.
These were not quite what she said she was after, however she has now seen the first round of edits and is happy with the results. She is also surprised that some of the ones I tried were actually pretty good. Her friend was there also who worked in some photography place or something, and she was pretty skeptical of my directions and choices to the point that she said in Finnish something like,
"Just do what he suggests, then after we can do it the proper way."
Family
We were there in this weird theatre in an industrial area for over three hours and most of the time we were shooting my friend, but when she was resting between sessions, Smallsteps and my wife came to play and dance about to the music too. I would like to take more family photos like this, as I think they could be great memories, if I was better at taking the photos.
but at least it looks like they enjoyed themselves.
My friend is already talking about doing this again sometime and I think I am up for it. I would want to go in a little more prepared though and at least have those basic settings down for my camera, so I can be "pretty sure" I am turning the dials and numbers in the right direction to get better quality and clarity in the images.
So. Are any of these passable?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Olympus Em-1
12-40mm 2.8
It’s great to hear that your friend is pleased with the results despite the challenges. Practice will definitely help you improve brother. It's perfect photos brother
Good shoots mate! Will they be used for ads about fighting againts cancer?
By the way, as if they staged a play in the theatre :)
I don't know yet! My friend's project is a video thing and because it isn't finished yet, she won't show us :D
I think the last one of the friend is totally passable... I could actually see something like that in a gallery. It's not super clear but it's clear enough to be interesting.
The first one with your wife is excellent... the next 4 are just a touch too dark but the handstand is super, super good and honestly print worthy. The last one is lit nicely but I think her pose is a little confusing. Overall I think these are great, you all did really well!
I could have recovered them a bit in lightroom to make them passable here, but they wouldn't have been passable for me :D
You know I like weird and awkward framing :) She is dancing - not sure how to get good pictures of people dancing without taking heaps of photos, because pretty much everyone looks weird dancing when frozen in a frame.
Do you find it strange that perhaps fifty years ago, some of these would have been considered pretty good? I think the quality of equipment in digital means that resolution rather than subject has become more important. There are of course great photographers around doing brilliant work, but the "anyone can take a photo" has reduced the value of photography a lot in my opinion.
Oh absolutely... even within my lifetime photography has gone from pretty exclusive (decent cameras and printing was expensive) to literally everyone has a camera with them at all times, with lots of those being good enough to blur backgrounds... but, because everything is complicated always, social media seems insatiable for "good" photos... so more supply and more demand.
If anything I think that the trillions and trillions of photos out there really highlight just how more important lighting and composition is than the actual camera equipment.
I think it says definitely something if your friend asked you to do the photoshoot instead of the "actual photographer" friend XP
Well, the friend didn't have a camera - she had just worked in a studio. The poses she chose were a little bit 90s in my opinion :)
Beautiful photos I would say you are missing just a little more, lighting apparently you have the love and passion for photography and that is the most important thing, the rest gets better with more preparation and time.
Lighting was an issue. The flash I had was too bright, the overhead lights too dark :D
These look good. Some were a bit too dark, but I like the one where your friend was lying down. The bright reflection of the light on her dress gave a really nice contrast and effect. For something last minute and you were barely prepared for, you should be proud of these.
That was one of the ones she was surprised she likes a lot :D
The shooting results are quite good.
Would you believe that the shots are so beautiful?
I really like them
I can’t even do this so thumbs up to you!
Dear @tarazkp !
I am always amazed by your photography skills!
I wonder why you didn't reveal your friend's face!
Her appearance in the dark gives off a mystery.
Your wife's face is as beautiful as a sculpture!
she looks happy with Small Steps!
The sight of people emerging from the darkness is very fun and impressive!
I don't think I'll ever forget your photos!
I’m sure your friend will be satisfied with those shots
They look very good
Nice one!
Ooh your photos came out so good! I love the shots of your friend lying on her back, also the last one of your friend is a favorite, but....my overall favorite shot is the first photo of your wife. Also love the second shot of Smallsteps and her mom...a very personal moment. Great job, and you'll be ready for next time, I've no doubt!
Came out very nice. I like the contrast in the shading and mysterious outlines. Good stuff!