Im a shy person so it takes me awhile to loosen up to people. So taking portrait pics of someone you JUST met is difficult for both me and my subject. What are some Good Icebreaking techniques
1) for me to feel more comfortable, take away some of my nervousness???
2) put the subject at ease in front of the camera to get that "natural" feeling in there pose???
2007-12-10 05:11:03 · 5 answers · asked by loser 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Well, your subjects may be as nervous as you, so just dont do anything to crazy. Pratfalls might make them even more nervous.
Just chat about the weather, or whatever, and let them loosen up. If they are chatters, they will find a way to get into something that interests them. Just be professional, smile, and work your setups. Your subjects have the responsibility to give you their best performance, for their photos.
Dont flirt, or talk about politics, religion, etc... These can turn negative very fast.
2007-12-10 05:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by photoguy_ryan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a portrait photographer, I truly understand your feelings and anxiety. What I have found is to develop a "bag of tricks" that works with different types of subjects. For instance, when taking pictures of young children, I will make a meowing sound and then ask the child if that is how a dog speaks. They will virtually always correct me and after a few of these, they loosen up and I can get some relatively good expression to work with.
When working with adults, I often ask them to think of someone they would like to imagine seeing the portrait, and they will generate the perfect expression you need. I also have asked them to make very ugly expressions, complain they are not ugly enough and after several attempts say, "ok, now we have gotten the worst pictures out of the way we are now ready to get some good ones."
Whatever you do, don't ask them to smile of say "cheese" as it just doesn't make them smile like you would like.
2007-12-10 13:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lou 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will find your own line of banter and once you do, it can pretty much be repeated over and over for each new person. To start, while you are fiddling around, ask them about themselves to put them at ease and buy you time..
2007-12-10 13:27:33 · answer #3 · answered by Perki88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That will always be difficult. Especially, candid portraits of strangers. Can be downright dangerous sometimes.
Just do it. Not really any ice breakers.
Always smile, nod, and mouth "thank you" after you take the picture.
Lucien, nice tips. Thanks for sharing.
2007-12-10 13:15:57 · answer #4 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do something stupid.... like trip or fall... that will break the ice.
2007-12-10 13:13:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋