My Wife Taught Me to Shoot People -- Part 1

[SJH Foto]

Actually, reading over your threads, the one thing that I think we haven't seen and are curious about is what you look like! Perhaps you can "con"vince your wife into sitting for more shoots if you let her have the camera once!

[RussHeath]

Originally Posted by SJH Foto

For shots like the one of your father & wife, do you have a typical focal length that you usually use? For face shots, I like using my 100mm f/2, but for shots that have a bit more than the head, I use a 70mm f/4. Does that sound about right to you?

I use my 105mm f/2.8 for head shots and my 50mm for just about everything else. I have Tokina's 11-16mm f/2.8 ordered which I intend to try and use as a very atypical portrait lens (it might be a disaster).

Originally Posted by SJH Foto

Actually, reading over your threads, the one thing that I think we haven't seen and are curious about is what you look like! Perhaps you can "con"vince your wife into sitting for more shoots if you let her have the camera once!

A point she has made on multiple occasions. I don't like being on the "wrong" end of the camera! Maybe one of these days . . .

[SJH Foto]

On my forum thread about getting people to relax, someone mentioned to me again to give my subjects the camera awhile. That reminds me of my suggestion to give your wife the camera so we can see what you look like! How about it? She might be more apt to pose for you then!

It's ok, another suggestion they gave me was to give my clients some spirits. I told him that a lot of my clients are minors (senior pictures) and if I did that I'd be taking pictures in jail! LOL!

[RussHeath]

Well, I certainly agree with the other poster that a little drink during a photo shoot can be a great thing, but it sounds like something to avoid in your volleyball shots.

As far as giving my wife the camera, I'm sure she would be game, but I don't think the shots would be quite as popular . . .

There are a few shots from the trip to Utah with me in them, maybe I'll post some on flickr when I get around to processing them all.

[RussHeath]

Thanks to Sime for transferring these threads over to the new tutorial section! I know there hasn't been recent activity, but if new questions come up feel free to post and I will help where I can.

[Glayva]

What a lovely photograph of your father. There is something just lovely about this photo. As a retired pro portrait photographer it's very rewarding to see a picture this good. I know what it is!! He's your dad and he is relaxed and comfortable with you taking this shot. And yes, I love it!!
A tip for others - being a spectacle wearer and having broken many in the past as well as needing different lenses, etc., keep these glasses and take the lenses out. They're great for people to wear who normally wear glasses. When photographing under any lighting, you get no unwanted reflections.

[Glayva]

My sincere appologies Russ - I totally forgot to say how gorgeous your wife looks and what a great pose. Like your dad - she was obviously comfortable with the shooting. It just shows it.

[RussHeath]

Originally Posted by Glayva

What a lovely photograph of your father. There is something just lovely about this photo. As a retired pro portrait photographer it's very rewarding to see a picture this good. I know what it is!! He's your dad and he is relaxed and comfortable with you taking this shot. And yes, I love it!!
A tip for others - being a spectacle wearer and having broken many in the past as well as needing different lenses, etc., keep these glasses and take the lenses out. They're great for people to wear who normally wear glasses. When photographing under any lighting, you get no unwanted reflections.

Originally Posted by Glayva

My sincere appologies Russ - I totally forgot to say how gorgeous your wife looks and what a great pose. Like your dad - she was obviously comfortable with the shooting. It just shows it.

Glayva -- Thanks so much! Portraits are certainly my favorite type of photography, it's just about finding the time now . . . and thanks for the tip about empty glass frames.