Fake V Genuine smiles

More than a century ago, scientists discovered that although authentic and fake smiles involve the sides of the mouth being pulled up, only a genuine smile causes crinkling around the sides of the eyes.

Sandy Chaney

Other research suggests that smiles that take longer to spread over a person's face (over half a second) are perceived as very attractive, especially when accompanied by a slight tilt of the head.

Photographers may also note that some subjects actually look more attractive when they don't smile because of large gums or exaggerated line valleys in the face.

What does all this mean for the portrait photographer - we need to observe and 'tune in' to our subject. Sincere communication and patience are helpful - but always keeping in mind that you want to reveal the real person.

Learn Portrait Photography
http://www.extension.uwa.edu.au/course/CC214

Single Light

Ran a Studio Lighting course for Team Digital last Wednesday. Its surprising what can be achieved with a  single light. The biggest mistake inexperienced photographers make is to switch on all the lights and once without understanding HOW lighting works.
Start working with one (compliant) person and one light. Try Rembrandt broad, then Rembrandt shot. This here is a variation of Rembrandt short I call Rembrandt acute (bordering on rim). Its theatrical, dramatic and    with two people creates a narrative.
You can see some of the lighting gear Team have got on display here
http://bit.ly/xtNgYM
The price on the exposure meter is very good.

Rembrandt Tips

Its no surprise that the word photography derives from the Greek 'writing with light'. For glamour use front light, for safety use 45 degree light. For art, use 90 degree light. Ad for edgy theatrical type light use 120 degrees.
That's fairly easy in the studio but more tricky outside. Not only do you have to find the light hitting your subject at an acute angle but you need to reduce or eliminate all the front light to maintain the contrast and drama. I used a  tunnel for this shot in a private tuition group.
You may like to practise with a watermelon or pineapple - they don't get bored or have an emotional reaction. When you get it right swap the melon for a real live human being.
Tech info;
Nikon D700 50mm prime lens
1/320 sec f2.8 Aperture priority; 400 ISO EV -2.0

Reflectors & Diffusers

Shooting at Blackwall Reach on the Swan River on a sunny, summer's afternoon the light was the typical mottled, splotchy mixture that makes portrait photography near impossible.
We unwrapped the diffuser part of the reflector and my assistant Martin stood in waist deep water to protect the subject. Its really the simplest thing ever. All you need is a tall, strong helper who doesn't mind getting a bit wet.
The image is a colour bleed through my sepia formula. Client is Cygnet bay Pearls; Model Phynia
You can learn techniques like these at UWA Extension's 'Portraits - Memories Forever' on Feb 11, 12 & 16 2012. $225
http://www.extension.uwa.edu.au/course/cc214

National Portrait Gallery - Canberra

One of Dale's images has been selected to be hung in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra on 15 March 2012. After two months on show it will tour Australia for a further 10 months.

The National portrait Awards attracted approximately 1600 entries in 2011 and Dale's image of a mother saying goodbye to her only son was one of the 46 finalists.

The image will be displayed on the FACEZ blog after the overall winner ins announced in Canberra on 15 March 2012.

Antarctic Portrait

Not often you travel all the way to Antarctica to do a portrait. Aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Ioffe I photographed Carol, an Aussie I met on board - in the library, on the bridge with a slightly embarrassed first officer and in wet weather gear on the deck.

Portrait Tip - Panning with 1/15 sec

No tripod, no monopod and no Photoshop. I start my students practising on 1/20 sec. When they get it right I move them to 1/15. Then, when they are hot I let them loose on a 1/10 sec pans. One tip is to have soft, low-level lighting, a great background and the subject about 4-8 metres away. Its also a good idea to switch the camera to manual focus to stop the camera focus 'hunting'.
Be prepared to shoot lots of image - this is no 'one-trick dog shoot. The averagae is about one shot in 50 looks reasonable.