Thread: Stand still, dammit!

Two photos of my beloved, taken today. One is clearly posed, the other equally clearly (or blurrily) taken candid. My dilemma is this... the Becky in the blurry photo is the woman I know and love, the one posing is wearing that pained, get-on-with-it, I-don't-like-having-my-picture-taken expression reserved for whenever I point any camera in her direction. So, advice please, how do you get your subjects to RELAX!!?


Becky Godalming January 2013 1 by Lightmancer, on Flickr


Becky Godalming January 2013 2 by Lightmancer, on Flickr

Sent from another Galaxy

Like that first one.

How do you get your subjects to relax? Give them a bottle of whisky. That will do it.

Basically, you just keep shooting. Eventually they relax. It also depends on whether you are relaxed. If you are too focused on what you are doing or you are reflecting their aversion to being photographed, then that will come through. If you are cheerful and relaxed, they will be too. Engage your subject. Make the photograph fun.

That's when I use that 10fps burst rate.

Sneaky! That's what I am. Not a lot of keepers. But patience, determination, and a bit of planning.

Bill, the first is great. The blur, actually adds to the atmosphere and sense of total enjoyment!

I prefer candid shots.

Otherwise, try medication and / or bribery. To generate a smile or smirk, shoot while scantily clad.

I ask them to read what's written in small type around the camera's lens. That's the start of course, it distracts them from being too conscious. Then I ask them to turn three quarters of a way towards the camera, and shift their weight onto their back leg (conversely, I make the blokes lean in). If it still doesn't work, I hand them the camera and ask them to take pictures of me first. After they're ok with doing what I would be doing, then I take their pictures.

If that doesn't work, I recite this poem to them -

"Oh freddled gruntbuggly/thy micturations are to me/As plurdled gabbleblotchits on a lurgid bee.
Groop I implore thee, my foonting turlingdromes. And hooptiously drangle me with crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or I will rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon, see if I don't!"

It works I tell ya.

Let her take a picture of you first?

Now, I don't think that will work (taking yours first). She will just walk away victorious, laughing at you!

I don't know either, and I'm open to suggestions! My few successes come with candid shots or to just keep shooting and telling her to ignore me rather than "pose."

Originally Posted by Pelao

I prefer candid shots.

Me too. I never try to get people to pose, every time I have, they always look anxious about it. Much better to catch them off guard, IMO.