40 Minutes in an Alley Changes Everything

"I don't do people shots."   I've said this so often, it has become a mantra for me.  I have never considered myself to have any skill with portrait photography, so I just avoid it altogether.  Well in a span of 40 minutes last week, that all changed.  Here's the story...

On Wednesday, I flew to Toronto to attend (and shoot photos at) the Year of the Monkey 68 CD Release Party, co-produced by my good friend Ron Lopata.  The CD is a compilation of Canadian artists, some well-established and others up-and-coming.  My photos are on the front and back covers of the CD as well as on the website, so there was no way I was going to miss this party. 

A couple of days before flying up, Ron sent me an email asking if I would mind shooting some portraits of one of the up-and-coming artists he is working with.  He said they needed some shots for use on his website and promotional material.  "There will be some time before the show to shoot some shots at the club" he said.   (The Mod Club for anyone who is familiar with Toronto).   I hesitantly agreed, while silently thinking to myself "I don't do people shots." 

At 3pm, Ron and I pulled into the alley behind the club and began unloading his keyboards and other gear.  I  looked around for possible shooting venues, but quickly realized that the bright sunny day was going to work against me for shooting photos outside.  Maybe inside the club, I thought. 

Saying that the club was a bit dark is like calling the Atlantic ocean a "pond."  Even with my fast prime lens there was little chance of getting any well-lit photos inside the club...now what do I do?   I guess I'll have to find something outside in the shade. 

At 5pm, Mike Eastick and I finally meet.  Through his accommodating demeanor and choice of words, I quickly realize that he has a much higher opinion of my potential to shoot portrait photographs than I have myself.  Ron must have told him I'm good at this, because he is treating me like I'm some kind of pro who knows what he's doing.  OK, I thought, I'll play along and see what happens. 

So off to the alley we go.  Over the next 40 minutes I find every sliver of shade in that short alley that I can.  I've previsualized some potential poses and speak confidently as to what I want Mike to do for each shot.  "Can he tell I don't know what the hell I'm doing?" I think to myself.   He couldn't.  In fact, the more we shot, the more he just did what I asked.  At one point, he even stood on a pile of trash in a doorway reeking of urine, only a few feet from a dead rat covered in flies just because I thought it was a good shot (it turns out it's my favorite shot of the afternoon).  What power I have!

Mike came prepared with a change of clothes and neatly primped his own hair in the side mirror of a nearby car.   I wonder if all potential subjects are so prepared?  This was actually easier and more fun than I had expected. 

At the end of the shoot, I felt pretty sure that I could carve out a few usable images.  It was only after I started to post-process them yesterday that I realized that these were better than anything I ever imagined I was capable of.  A professional could easily find things about the images to improve.  But for a guy like me that prefers shooting abandoned wine bottles to people, I feel pretty good with the outcome. 

In fact, I now find myself looking for more opportunities to explore the world of portrait photography.  I even caught myself flipping though some how-to portrait photography books at the bookstore this weekend.  That 40 minute photo shoot in an alley in Toronto has ignited an interest that I have long denied existed.  I guess that's where the saying "never say never" comes from. 

You can see all the photos from this shoot over on my website.  There you will also find the beginnings of the CD release party gallery.   Below is the image from the doorway I described above. 

Comments

[Jeff Seltzer]

Great stuff! I had a similiar experience shooting head shots for a friend (I'm in L.A., you know). I think shooting people in this way allows you to really see how far you've come as a photographer - it's sort of fun. Great shots, by the way! I really like how you played with DOF. Though, I would like to see some shots were the arms are out of focus instead of the face.

FYI, see my "portrait" section on my personal website: www.jeffseltzerphotography.com

Also, recent portraits in updated "Carnival" series:

http://www.pbase.com/jseltzer/carnival_

[Chuck]

Wow Jeff. I love your website. I didn't have it bookmarked. You have some great portrait work on there. I'm thinking of taking some portrait classes at BP. The guy who does The Candid Frame blog/podcast has a couple that look good. Do you know of any other resources I should be looking for?

Chuck

[Jeff Seltzer]

Hi, Chuck.

I'm also considering a BP class - "Eye to Eye
Capturing the Face"

In addition, check out the book "Digital Portrait Photography and Lighting" and also "Photoshop Restoration & Retouching" - both are excellent resources.

[david procter]

Interesting stuff Chuck, I wasnt aware of you feelings towards portraiture but I had noticed there arent many in your collection. I seem to only shoot portraits and was thinking recently that I should try to shoot something different. I'm reading a book at the moment relating to breaking photographic habits and reinventing yourself to keep things fresh. When would you start the BP course? I have some time off work coming up soon and it would be a joy to do it together. What do you think?
Ps I'm meeting Lawrence (Ripsher) in bangkok next week) which'll be fun.

[jude]

For someone who "doesn't do people shots" you did some excellent ones... not only in capturing a feel about him.. but the composition (love the hand one) and the modern edge of tonal quality.. The suble color is just right.
"BP" stands for what? (sorry)... I love doing portraiture but there are so few people around here who are willing to do what I want. I don't especially like the happy crappy pics ;)

[Chuck]

David,
It strikes me as odd that one of the more creative photographic storytellers I know is reading a book about "reinventing... and keeping things fresh". Maybe that's why your galleries always are unique.

I need to start a discussion with you about lighting. I especially like the lighting choices you made with the "late night entertainment" project. It looks like you are using a soft box of some sort?

I can't image Bangkok will be the same after having both you and Lawrence together in one place. Don't let the cameras incriminate you.

[Chuck]

Thanks Jude. BP=Betterphoto.com. I'm looking at a couple of portrait classes over there by Ibarionex Perello (The Candid Frame blog/podcast) that look interesting.

I have always found taking classes forces me to explore areas I otherwise wouldn't take the time to do.

[Lawrence Ripsher]

A revelation! Probably my favourite post of yours from what is now a fantastic collection of articles. Loved reading this. Am soo pleased you're opened this new can of worms - the possibilities will be endless with your abilities. On the two shots you posted btw - really, really like them. First is the kind I would have loved to have taken. The second is excellent - there are a lot of model-against-graffiti shots knocking around on pbase at the moment and I hate 99% of them. This definitely falls into the 1% category - v v cool.

I am a bit AWOL at the moment but will email you tomorrow with a long update.

[Craig Persel]

Wow. Excellent work. Also, one of your best articles. I too have not been a big portrait photographer and need to break into that genre one of these days. You sure started off with a bang! Not surprising though. I think that any super creative and skillful photographer such as yourself can cover just about any type of photography with style and originality.

[Burberry Outlet]

I really like how you played with DOF. Though, I would like to see some shots were http://www.outletburberryoutlet.com the arms are out of focus instead of the face.

[North Face Sale]

It'll be nice to see how his work fits into your balance and rhythm segment. Also, thanks for the great link.

[Office 2007]

Ah well your comment! I did you good!