I had a most enjoyable evening yesterday. Lots of really nice folk about.
I don’t usually enjoy taking pictures of people but it went pretty well. The hit rate is not very high as getting several people to all have a nice expression at the same time is more luck than skill.
The weather is superb and looks as if it will be for a day or so. I was going up the gorge today but have a few jobs to do so will see how I get on.
Looks like a grand bunch Adrian, and something different.
ReplyDeleteCan't help thinking the last shot has a well rehearsed 'smiles' from the wee Warwicks.
Keith, I find it a very intrusive and pressurised business. It also takes a long time to work the room chatting till they get used to me.
DeleteThe whole family are pros and are a delight to photograph.
What happy photos, Adrian. Photos of scenery and plants are lovely, of course, but these seem really joyful.
ReplyDeleteFrances the little black girl stole the show. Her mother wasn't keen but she was determined to have her picture taken. Her big sister had to be there as well.
DeleteWarwick Davis always comes across as such an upbeat, happy kind of bloke. He seems to be sending an unspoken message out to us all - which is don't moan about your "issues" - just get on with things and make the most of life. Great pictures Adrian. You should snap more people pictures. You could get a job with "Hello".
ReplyDeleteYP, he looked tired, we all were but he remained cheerful and was not a bit up his own bum. Signing autographs for children and adults but very wary of phone cameras. There were a couple of girls keepng them well back or standing in front of them. A slick job that they managed without causing offence.
DeletePS. I have never seen him on TV but found him an inspirational bloke and I was really frightened it would be 'Freak Show' Victorian type thing. It was more the Ozzy Osborne but with more taste....I was impressed by him and his wife. The children seem fine if a bit small but then I have always struggled to like children. Didn't like them much when I was one.
Delete"Didn't like them much when I was one" - You should have avoided looking in mirrors Adrian.
DeleteYP, I still try to avoid looking in mirrors. I frighten myself sometimes.
DeleteYou did have some nice folk around. It's very different for you to just photograph something and not try to make it complicated by setting rules and challenges for yourself.
ReplyDeleteRed, this isn't as easy as it looks. I can't use strobes when the video cameras are running. I find it much harder than anything else I do.
DeleteGreat Ruben they still ask Horticultural photographing
ReplyDeleteThanks Bas.
DeleteFor someone who doesn't enjoy taking people images, you sure did well. All of them are so vivid and full of life.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, I feel a sense of a job well done but though I have to try and relax the subjects I too have to appear comfortable. I like using a strobe and soft box but it isn't always possible when they are filming. The director was very laid back and most of these were taken to prove my competence.
DeleteThere's some lovely smiles there Adrian, or maybe they were laughing...can't imagine at what though...Oh, hang on...wait a minute...maybe I can?
ReplyDeleteJoking aside, that's a lovely set of 'happy' images, nice to see people enjoying themselves...[;o)
Trevor, it was my impression of the white eared elephant that broke the ice.
DeleteI had no idea who Warwick Davis was last week. He is a great performer as are the family. They made the job easy as given a seconds warning they drop into photogenic mode straight away. Bloody impressed and very few lines seem to be fluffed. A few re-takes but not many. I was pumping the sound man for tips and he was really helpful. He said wear headphones always and do as many levels checks as you have time for. He has been working with Warwick for twenty five days and he was impressed by his professionalism. He says his timing is so good that even if he fluffs a line then he can still sync just a re-record to the video. I like working amongst these people. They have forgotten more than I know and never seem under pressure.
I remember one school photographer who used get his subjects to say sausages. Gave better results than cheese. I used to hate posed photos. Much preferred taking candid shots but if you have a group then there's not much else you can do. They turned out well.
ReplyDeleteJohn, about half and half. Two people are fine as I'm talking to them as I shoot. The German lasses were far from photogenic but I staged the shot. Then have to catch them having fun. That's the hard bit. I like the challenge but it is hard work.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a good time with your show biz mates and great photos to remember it with too.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter yes it was an enjoyable evening.
DeleteSimpáticas fotostodos pasasteis un buen día!! Estás muy bien en la foto de perfíl:))
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
Laura, la gente hizo fácil.
ReplyDeleteI am not into people pics much either. Oh, I take snapshots, but that's about it.But sometimes I think that's the most important thing that I do with my camera. It's what I and others will want to look at in times to come.
ReplyDeleteJohn, the main reason I shy away from portraits is that I'm frightened of fouling up.
DeleteGrand pics of what was obviously a good day with interesting people. What more could a man want? (There's an opening for you if ever there was one).
ReplyDeleteGraham, I am getting more comfortable chatting to people and getting them to relax. I trust the strobe now and know what it can do and can't.
DeleteI have charged but usually for publicity shots I just ask for a weeks free camping.
Were it a business then I would have to have at least one more person and there is work for three folk on a simple job.
It's good fun.
PS. The lass with the blond hair was really encouraging. I just did as I was told she said strobe off, then Okay go for it, I put the camera down and did. Apparently she meant take the pictures. I'll get to grips with the technical terms one day. I wish I'd thought to do the job ages ago but I've had lots of jobs I have enjoyed and few that I couldn't stand.
DeleteWhat a great collection of portraits, Adrian. I'm guessing that the Warwicks star in a local reality show and are probably rather used to folks snapping their photos. My favourite photos of the lot were of the young chefs and the cuties in the image below it.
ReplyDeleteHilary, Warwick Davis was in Hogwarts and works constantly on British TV.
DeleteYes they are professional but switch faces so fast. I had to tell them to hold for a burst of four clicks. Warwick said I know....I said; I know you know but you are posing with the great unwashed. That's when I get the picture. Everyone laughs. I never stop talking whilst I'm shooting, I ask names before I start. The first picture here, his PR folk wanted deleting cos I suddenly looked sideways and said who's farted. He let me keep it. He is okay.
The middle two pictures were the directors test. She said do you have to use flash. I said it helps in both bad light and harsh light. I use the strobe on an old flash bracket with a dirty soft box on. I try to use ETTL but I usually end up settling for 1/4 power and dial in a wider aperture on manual. I could get used to this as a job. It is hard work.
The German girls the director pointed me towards, get a good picture of those and I'll let you roam. That I took as a challenge, I asked if they needed anything the one on the right said they had no salt. Away I went and produced salt and asked if I could take a picture. They were not the most prepossessing of girls. I said to the directoress you are upsetting them. Just bugger off and let me get the picture. Two minutes later the girls laughed naturally when I said smile and watch your friend doesn't burn her fingers. It is a nice shot of two folk that are ugly ducklings. I'm an ugly drake. Warwick is a dwarf. The wee Black girls are black. The director was so far up her arse that were it not for her perfume she would have smelt of shite. Just snap away is my motto. I took seventy two and got forty accepted so not a bad days work for an inside and outside shoot.
That's a whole bunch of people!
ReplyDeleteMaria, it is.
DeleteAnd for those in the UK you can see Warwick and family on Saturday afternoon on BBC2 I wonder if they'll be a cameo from Adrian
ReplyDeleteDouglas, you may see my belly casting a shadow.
DeleteTu última entrada no se vé :( te trae aquí .
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Laura, que elimina las dos últimas. No eran buenos mensajes me enojé con el mundo. No, me enojé con otro blogger.
DeleteI was going to say that the short guy in the kilt looks familiar, is he an actor? - now I've read the rest of the comments to this post and I know the answer :) Besides the Potter films he was also in Narnia, and long before any of those I also remember him from a film called Willow. (And I bet he was in plenty of others as well.) Come to think of it, I also think I've seen some TV documentary about him as himself!
ReplyDeleteMonica, he is famous in England but i had only a vague recollection of him.
DeleteLovely shots. Maybe nearly as hard to capture as the birds? Hope you are OK? Jean
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean, I am fine. I am just over sensitive and have trouble tolerating idiots.
DeleteCool. Looks like an amazing shot. You really got some amazing shots in. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLady L, it was fine as a shoot. Over half accepted so that is good. As always It could have been better.
DeleteGreat cast Adrian.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Bob.
Delete