I Can See the Light!

I am so excited. I've been shooting for a little over three years now and it's been mostly just learning. Well, I think my brain may have actually learned something.

I needed to created these images for an ad for work. I was given a sample image and magically I created the lighting. I knew exactly in my head before I got to the studio where I wanted all the lights. And once I set them up, I barely moved them at all.

I know it doesn't sound amazing, but to me it is. I don't have a photographic memory. I don't see pictures in my head. I don't really "see" anything, my brain is full of words and ideas. Very rarely do I have an exact image in my head of what I want to create, it's an idea of an image. It's hard to explain. But it is the reason I love photography, because it puts my ideas into a concrete reality. 

This time, I saw the picture and I envisioned the lighting. Ah, success. All the years have not been for naught. I am actually learning something. I can see the light!

Eye Contact

I don't know why some models can do it and some can't, but great eye contact makes me go weak in the knees. I've been shooting for about three years now and only a handful of people have made me stare back at the screen. It amazes me every time. It's a rare gift and I am lucky to be able to capture it.

I think the ones that do it best, rest their eyes between shots. They look away or look down. They refocus every frame. As a photographer, it is important to capture that fresh look, the strong eyes—to know when the model has "the look" and snap the shot. It's important to keep the flow and be prepared. Although I must say, I am guilty of capturing just as many shots of the the model preparing for the shot as I am getting the shot. But that's a skill I'm working on.

I know that when I was the model (see below), I tried refocusing with each frame. And I kept thinking of Tyra saying "Smile with your eyes." I didn't really get it until I was trying to do it myself. You really can smile with the eyes. It's a matter of putting that spark or sparkle in your eyes—telling the viewer that you are more than just a picture, you are alive and you are living in that moment. Some say you capture the soul when you take a picture, I think when you get a picture with good eye contact, you have indeed gotten a glimpse of the soul, but it is a soul that can't be captured because it is off living in the next moment.

   

I've Taken Up Modeling

I think every photographer should try their hand at modeling, especially outside in public with everybody staring at  you. Robin, my friend and extremely talented hair and makeup artist, took photos of me today. We did some studio shots and then some shots in a park outside. Modeling is hard. Apparently I have tense lips and eyes because Robin's only instructions were "Relax your lips, lower your eyebrows, relax your eyes." 

While we were outside, I had to wave and smile at all kinds of people. One small boy, around 3 years old, thought I needed rescuing. I guess I did look a little like a damsel in distress and I was standing awfully close to the lake. I told him if he brought a white horse, I'd happily be rescued. He ran away, isn't that just like my prince?

I learned a lot about photography today. For one, I probably should communicate more while I'm taking pictures - I know I spend way to much time concentrating on lights and things. Models need confirmation and a little conversation, I know I appreciated it.

I'm grateful to Robin for giving me the chance to bring out my inner diva. I've packed her back up and I think she'll be happy in hiding for another 10 years or so.