Opinions, advice and commentary about Photography, Modeling and Acting.
Generally speaking, lifestyle photography shows people in action, often outdoors engaging in regular activities. However, studio shots can also reflect great editorial photography, usually illustrating certain products or fashion accessories. Consider the following photos that are both indoor and outdoor shots.
A variety of photos in your portfolio not only showcases your diverse look, but can say something about your personality. Consider the variety of looks from each of these models and how an expression on the face or change of posture tells a unique story.
Art directors use the term editorial photography to describe the type of lifestyle photos that can be used to advertise a company’s products or services. Generally speaking, the style uses images that are designed to show people in ordinary situations. The purpose might be to sell an idea or more specifically a product that shows people doing activities or in situations that tell a story. For example, a woman relaxing on a park bench might illustrate peace of mind (life insurance) or simply better quality of life (some kind of hygiene or health-related product). Retailers use this type of photography often to sell clothing because it shows the lifestyle or happiness you would enjoy when you purchase their clothing. Below are some sample lifestyle images. What does it take to sell you on a product?
The newest photo trend, named High Dynamic Range or HDR photography is slowing picking up fans as it becomes integrated into cameras (the iPhone 4 and 4S models both have an HDR option built in), involves a series of photos, blended together to capture the best lighting and colors. On a manual DSLR, there are settings that allow you to take multiple photos in rapid succession at different exposure levels. These can be combined using photo editing software to create an image that can be both either surreal or with vivid colors and lighting. Since the Nikon DSLR I use (and my iPhone for that matter) both allow HDR photography, I’ve been experimenting. So far, I’m pleased with the results as a creative outlet. There are various options for output from black & white to painting, grunge or simply enhanced colors. Below are a few examples.
Spring brings the much anticipated senior prom and for many high-school juniors, a chance to take senior pictures that reflect personality, poise and fun! Below are a series of candid and posed photos with a group of friends for the 2010 Columbia River senior prom and one senior picture. Each of the photos helps capture these fun moments to forever preserve those memories.
Getting a photo subject to show personality and a natural smile can be easy if the person is in a playful mood or comfortable in front of the camera. This is often the reason that photos of couples can be great candid shots as they relate to one another. Sometimes, it’s a distraction, a mood, looking at someone with curiousity, flirtation or humor. If the end result is a smile that tells a story or shows an emotion, it’s a success. See the examples below.
One futurist described the Information Age coming to an end when every person on the planet has access to the sum of human knowledge. While this provocative thought is interesting, particularly when you think about the world being divided between the haves and the have nots (that is access to education/information), it makes me wonder how individual creativity can ben harnessed on a global scale. For instance, if artwork can be created and or manipulated by anyone, anywhere, the only limit is our own creativity! One simple, creative tool in the form of an iPhone App, named Mobile Monet, is perhaps one, small example. The application allows the user to take a photo and change it into a black and white drawing or into a watercolor picture by using your finger to rub across the screen. Amazing results! Here is an example of an original photos and two versions created with this program.
Musical careers and maternity have one thing in common: they both push you out of your comfort zone. I caught up with indie musician Poeina Suddarth (say that three times fast) in between musical gigs. She needed some new shots to go with her new album. Here’s just a couple of shots that capture a bit of her identity.
Next, when motherhood beckons, it takes shape in many forms, all of which are beautiful, in my opinion. These next photos show a very relaxed, calm mother, enjoying the peace that comes before the baby–you could also call it the eye of the storm.
Some people sing a song in their head. Others use their mind to transport themselves to exotic locations. And a few even practice their dance moves. Whatever it takes to get you to relax in front of the camera will make the pictures turn out much better. A few other techniques to learn how to pose your body will accentuate your best features and avoid the stiff mannequin look. Your preparation begins before the shoot with the basics: get a good night sleep, eat breakfast, visit the restroom. It’s hard to stay focused when you’re tired, have to go to the loo or when you’re fasting. In addition, follow the steps I’ve outlined:
R=Roll your shoulders back. You don’t want to look like the hunchback of Notre Dame.
L=Look through the lens. Try to imagine looking through the camera into the photographer’s eyes.
A: Angle your body. Drop one shoulder, swivel your hips, put your hand behind your hip, lift that heel, bend the knee, tilt your head.
W=Weight on your toes. It straightens your back, causes you to lean forward slightly and shapes your legs.
S: Spontaneous. This could cause you to smile, laugh, be playful and take advantage of your location and props.
See how one pro does it:
Photo Theatrics 
