DSS#30 -- struggling with the theme

ghinson

I took this last night. It's my four-year-old in his preferred environment.



I'm having trouble deciding if I should focus on the environment, or on the portrait.

The Curious Camel

It seems to be a wonderful portrait. You stated that this is his favorite place to be and included in your shot. Both are in focus. Don't know if your read this or not but I copied and pasted it here for you.

The Background in Environmental Portraits
The surroundings or background is a key element in environmental portraiture, and is used to convey further information about the person being photographed.

Where it is common, in studio portraiture and even in location candid photography, to shoot using a shallow depth of field, thereby throwing the background out of focus, in environmental portraiture the background is an integral part of the image. Indeed, smaller apertures and more depth of field is commonly used in this type of photography. [2]


[edit] Details in the surroundingsWhile it is often true that the background may dominate the subject, this need not necessarily be so. In fact, the details that convey the message from the surroundings can often be quite small, and still be significant.The key seems to be in the symbolism expressed by various elements in the background, for instance, a baseball cap may not tell you much about your subject(unless he or she is a baseball player), but a chef's hat gives you a lot more detail about who he is and what he does.[3]


peace, gail

michswiss

It still needs to be a portrait. I don't think this qualifies in that simple regard. For example, how does your son occupy himself when he is preparing for bed. How about after school or kindergarten? What does he surround himself with?

Here's a hint and the way I'm going to approach the shot. Let him become engrossed with his activity or surrounds. Be patient while still taking an occasional shot so the camera isn't intimidating. Here's the magic... Bring the attention back to you enough to where he takes notice of you and visually invites you in to his world. Take the picture and hope to all heck that everything is set correctly.

The Curious Camel

michswiss wrote:

It still needs to be a portrait. I don't think this qualifies in that simple regard. For example, how does your son occupy himself when he is preparing for bed. How about after school or kindergarten? What does he surround himself with?

Here's a hint and the way I'm going to approach the shot. Let him become engrossed with his activity or surrounds. Be patient while still taking an occasional shot so the camera isn't intimidating. Here's the magic... Bring the attention back to you enough to where he takes notice of you and visually invites you in to his world. Take the picture and hope to all heck that everything is set correctly.

Excellent advise

richtersl

michswiss wrote:

It still needs to be a portrait. I don't think this qualifies in that simple regard. For example, how does your son occupy himself when he is preparing for bed. How about after school or kindergarten? What does he surround himself with?

Here's a hint and the way I'm going to approach the shot. Let him become engrossed with his activity or surrounds. Be patient while still taking an occasional shot so the camera isn't intimidating. Here's the magic... Bring the attention back to you enough to where he takes notice of you and visually invites you in to his world. Take the picture and hope to all heck that everything is set correctly.

ghinson

I agree. Not right for this challenge. The pic says a lot about his environment, but not enough about him. I'm thinking a 4 year old is probably not the best subject for this challenge anyway. But it certainly is easier when they're always available.

The Curious Camel

I want to apologize for not thinking it through more throughly before commenting on your shot.


I am grateful the others chimed in. I am not always good at knowing how to say something. I should have stated that there was more environment than subject? I don't even know if that makes sense. Just ignore me.

g

WhatSheSaw

It may not be right for the challenge, but I love this shot!

whiterice

What a great shot Mark!! This is definitely a keeper. I agree with the others though, this isn't the best fit for the challenge.

Again - super shot!

JAG

although I agree with the others about this shot not strong enough for this challenge. I would also be quick to add that if this was my shot I would have it printed framed and hanging on my wall! Simply superb pic!!

travelways

JAG wrote:

although I agree with the others about this shot not strong enough for this challenge. I would also be quick to add that if this was my shot I would have it printed framed and hanging on my wall! Simply superb pic!!

ghinson

My struggle with this theme is, I'm just not a portrait photographer. Not that familiar with the technical skills involved (i.e., good lighting techniques). But moreso, I've never been that comfortable taking pictures of people, except family or newborns. I have a hard time directing a pose.

Although I know quite a few people who would look great in their unique environments (e.g., a local ivory carver that works in a studio from whaling days), I just can't bring myself to ask them if I can take their portrait. So I have turned to a self-portrait.

To explain the environment, I deliver babies (however they want or need to come out). So this is me in my small hospital's 1950's vintage operating room.

As a photo, what does it need (other than a shave)?

ghinson

Of course, uploading the pic here, I then go to look at the entry gallery, and M_U has uploaded an OR pic as well. Isn't that a little like showing up at a party and seeing someone else in the same dress?

travelways

I think this is a fantastic SP!!!

I would diminish a little (or completely) the light under the chair.

Don't think you need a shave - just don't tell that it's a SP

ghinson

Thanks. You're right on the floor. I'll work on that before the entry one.

richtersl

I didn't realize you were an ObGyn.

I hear you about directing poses. I find it difficult, too.

As far as staging a shot, is it possible to get one of you holding an infant in that environment? If you can't get a real infant, how about a using a prop that looks like one? And what about wearing a stethoscope?

You can even set something up that would make you look like you just delivered a wee one where you'd still be wearing your head covering whilst holding the little bundle.

I think you need to elevate your eyes to engage the viewer. Your eyes are not quite making that connection to the viewer because they look every so slightly downcast. But that's a difficult thing to do. Can you set up a mirror behind the camera so you can see yourself?

ghinson

Thanks for the reply Linda.

I thought about trying to do this in the environment that means the most to me, the regular labor & delivery suite, instead of the OR, but our usual labor rooms and very nice, look like a hotel room, and are not much to look at as an environment.

It would've been cool to have been holding a baby, but then I would've needed to admit to someone what I was doing. I did this after hours when no one was around. So I sat up in the OR instead.

Your posing advice is well taken, and definitely my weakness (both as a photog and a subject).

VisualXpressions

This is a great environmental portrait as is... don't worry that there is another doctor shot, doe not matter in the least... thumb

Winston

ic4u

VisualXpressions wrote:

This is a great environmental portrait as is... don't worry that there is another doctor shot, doe not matter in the least... thumb

Winston

WhatSheSaw

As the voice of my grandmother says in my head, "Sit up straight."

The beard works.

I like this shot.

michswiss

Greg. This is simply a phenomenal SP and perfect for the challenge. It's always possible to make things better in retrospect. No need IMHO for this one. I have a feeling you're one of THOSE. (I'll explain at a later date.)

ghinson

"...one of THOSE."

What, a geeky physician in love with his toys, and longing to have an outlet for a misdirected sense of artistry?



Thanks for the feedback everyone.

sherstone

VisualXpressions wrote:

This is a great environmental portrait as is... don't worry that there is another doctor shot, doe not matter in the least... thumb

Winston

x3 for the

If you end up using this shot as your final and do not know how to deal with the Light on the floor reduction or removal an easy way is to just crop off the bottom of the frame just slightly above the light splashes. (or just leave it )

Great environmental light! Well done.

dnie

I love it!