I often don't notice the passing of time. Sure my daughter continues to grow up too fast, and everyone (but me) looks a little bit older with every passing year. But it struck me recently, when I ran into one of my first portrait clients, that there is at least one good thing about the passage of time.
Penny stopped me while I was out on a walk to ask if I was available to shoot her portrait right away. My first reaction was to think that "she can't need another portrait already, why we just did her last one 1...2...3...4...?? 4 years ago?" Well truthfully, it didn't seem possible. She hasn't changed, and I haven't changed. But my skills and experience have. They have in fact gotten better with time!
When Penny arrived at the studio, I asked if she had any suggestions for a different look. "Well," she admitted, "I want this portrait to look a little more friendly and approachable." In fact, she confided that someone had commented that her old portrait looked a bit like an "Ice Queen."
Looking back at the portrait we did in 2007 (and knowing Penny to be the warm person she is) I had to agree. My idea on that original portrait was to make her look professional. I accomplished that with the pose, but she also looks stiff. Looking at the picture again, I also notice that I didn't have real command of my lighting setup. I blew out the highlights on Penny's blonde hair, and there's an odd shadow falling across her nose.
For Penny's new portrait, I used a much softer lighting setup, and a pose that made her look much more approachable. I also realized that being more comfortable as a photographer, I could concentrate more on making my subject comfortable as well. I think the changes in my skill are noticeable when you compare the two photographs side by side. I was happy with the results, and so was my client. Take a look at the comparison, and tell me what you think.
Penny stopped me while I was out on a walk to ask if I was available to shoot her portrait right away. My first reaction was to think that "she can't need another portrait already, why we just did her last one 1...2...3...4...?? 4 years ago?" Well truthfully, it didn't seem possible. She hasn't changed, and I haven't changed. But my skills and experience have. They have in fact gotten better with time!
Looking back at the portrait we did in 2007 (and knowing Penny to be the warm person she is) I had to agree. My idea on that original portrait was to make her look professional. I accomplished that with the pose, but she also looks stiff. Looking at the picture again, I also notice that I didn't have real command of my lighting setup. I blew out the highlights on Penny's blonde hair, and there's an odd shadow falling across her nose.
For Penny's new portrait, I used a much softer lighting setup, and a pose that made her look much more approachable. I also realized that being more comfortable as a photographer, I could concentrate more on making my subject comfortable as well. I think the changes in my skill are noticeable when you compare the two photographs side by side. I was happy with the results, and so was my client. Take a look at the comparison, and tell me what you think.
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