How to Take Epic Portraits: Pro Secrets Revealed
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- Опубликовано: 31 янв 2023
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It was a 20 year struggle to learn the real skill in portrait photography. The one that takes your photos of people and makes them someting special.
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I loved this. You are such a kind and sensitive person, and it always comes across in your videos. No wonder your subjects find comfort in opening up to you! I am relatively new to photography, and I haven't even begun to touch portrait photography, but so much of what you say is universal -- taking things slowly, getting to know your subject on a level that is not just skin deep, and also moving beyond copying our influences in rote manner. Your photography is incredibly beautiful and inspiring, yet tender and touching. And I appreciate your imparting your life's experience with your craft in a way that we cannot learn just from studying technique. Thank you for your mentorship!
Thank you ever so much! That is one of the most delightful comments I've had in a long while.
It's wonderful to have you here!
do you judge photos sir. Im also from RSA
@@ThePhotographicEye ive seen a lot of photography videos but couldnt take off my eyes from this one. You are a wonderful person. Bless you
I'm 100% a mediocre amateur and thus my opinion carries absolutely no weight, but I kind of liked that picture you took of your friend. It reminds me of a picture I have of myself made by a classmate in college during a photography class. Also soft, not perfectly sharp etc. But it is 'really' me and to this day it hangs in my house. I would trade perfection for soul everyday.
Thanks -like it's not the worst photo ever, and with a few tweaks it could be better. But that watch does linger in my mind, even now all this time later :D
I know what you mean
I just wanted to turn something on to have someone talking while I eat my lunch. Boy, was I taken for an emotional journey that I least expected. Not some technical details about lighting, background, lenses, but true, deeply true advice on how to approach a human to see his/her real side. Amazing talk!
The Frankie Goes to Hollywood logo when you say "relaxed" says a lot about your sense of humor 😜
hahah - yep
Oooh this was a joke. 😂
But who is Frankie? 😅
These days I was reading the book "The meaning in the Making" by Sean Tucker (he has a RUclips channel too) and I admire him. I almost got lost while listening to your experience and began wandering through several of my own past experiences. I am not a portrait photographer nor do I have interest. My interest is in Nature and landscapes. There is a similar thought process or common experience shared within nature and landscape photographers, that if you really don't love or enjoy being in nature endure those different weather conditions then your image won't have that feeling. Its hard to quantify that but I can confirm its true at least for me. Photography has always been secondary and a byproduct of me enjoying in those conditions and loving nature. There were times I was totally disappointed on finding absolute different weather than I anticipated but with time I learnt gradually that it was the way nature was speaking to me and guiding me to look differently and think differently and pointing me to some other direction. In my humble opinion I think its common for most genre of photography to have a genuine connection with the subject or environment to have your own voice depicted in your work. If One day I have the opportunity to meet you, I would like to personally shake your hand and say Thank You Alex.
Thank you Pappu - yes I do know Sean. We've done an critique session together in the past.
I originally wanted to be a landscape photographer, just selling prints, but I got waylaid by portraits!
@@ThePhotographicEye thanks for your response. I am glad you didn’t choose landscape genre as profession or you would struggle hard 😀. I am hobbyist photographer. It is possible to earn doing landscapes but really hard to earn enough.
Damn how you nail it, Alex. This is exactly what portrait photography is all about. Sensitive, empathy a bit of challenging behavour to get the expression you are thriving to achieve. I simply love your work with Karen. I’ll be among the very first supporters when you open the New Channel. Great work you are doping. ❤
Thanks Carsten. Really appreciate that
Easily the most powerful and educational portrait photography video I’ve seen. Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey and showing aspiring photographers that it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey
Alex you are so awesome. I believe that the spirit of the connection between the photographer and the subject is as important as the technical aspect. Thank you
The only thing I would add comes from rubbing shoulders with photojournalists who told me that sometimes .... "Damn the lighting! Get the picture!" They taught me that sometimes, when things are happening, you must press that shutter instantly. If you're a photographer, your camera is in your hand already, exposure set and focused to ten feet and you fearlessly press the shutter, even if your camera is still at waist level. Sometimes, you must have a quick draw and be prepared to shoot. Easier these days with the wonders of digital. Great video. Thank you.
Thanks you for watching
I've been wandering my way in photography for the past few years, trying all kinds of photography and I always seem to wander back to portraiture. I've always felt there's something special about it, about people, but I never really understood what it was until I started watching your videos recently; and it's made me want to go back and give it my all to portraiture again, with a new perspective.
Glad to hear that!
I'm also starting to feel the pull back to portraits
I love the conversational style you have Alex - and the way you see those of us who engage your content as known companions. Always love hearing your insights and learnings from all that you've experienced in photography - including the vulnerable bits. I also really appreciated how you gave integrity to a personal story. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for watching
@@ThePhotographicEye thank you for sharing and interaction with your viewers 🤍 💛 🧡
Loved this video Alex, wise, inspiring and generous.
This is the most intimate and powerful video you have done to date. Listening to you speak, it is not surprising you are being drawn back to portraits. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. Cheers.
Thanks Paul. Yes, I'm feeling the pull again of that dance
Great video! And I loved the Frankie Goes to Hollywood blip in there!
Me too!
...that people were relaxed...
Just lately I’ve been stuck waiting for inspirations to carry my photography though to its next stage of my enjoyment. And each time I watch your channel the more I say to myself “ just do it” . Keep up the good work 😊
Great to hear Shaun. It's awesome to hear!
Fabulous explanation Alex. Thanks for this too. Looking forward to that channel. Have a great weekend!
Thanks! You too!
It takes a special person to be able to bring out the beauty in people. What a great video.
Thank you so much!
As someone who is learning photography, the technical is still difficult for me lol. I'm glad though that starting off I got used to missing shots because I didn't get the camera and the light metering, but now I have an understanding, maybe one or two settings, and that's it. I understand almost every function of the camera, but rely on maybe one or two constantly. But ya, missing those shots made me realize the importance of moments, and how short they are, and how to let go when they pass by and you can't do anything but marvel at their beauty, and asking God to make you capture the next one just right, so others can experience that heaven you felt.
Great message and lesson Alex Kilbee thank you for opening up and sharing it with us! One thing I will like to mention and not to go agains this fantastic lesson you just shared with us is that at the same time we have to be aware that sometimes the client is too guarded and only wants to present a version of themselves.
That is true, and it would also be wrong to suggest that every session is like this. The chances are increased though when you know how to manage a session
I love how you got emotional in the process.... the energy, the passion.... you just give it the whole yourself. That's another reason why your channel is so awesome. And the photograph of Ian at 1:12 - I don't care you focused on the watch - the photograph is beautiful and....honest. BTW, I recently got my hands on Annie Leibovitz's Portraits 2005-2016. If someone thought that all the photographs in it are correctly focused and sharp, he would be mistaken. Strong content trumps the technical any time. Thank you, have a nice weekend! P. S. looking forward to your new channel, will be more than glad to subscribe.
This is a video that every portrait photographer needs to see. Thanks Alex!
Feel free to spread the word :D
I love your videos. They are so inspiring and the personal way you talk puts me at ease.
It still surprises me that while some people are great at the techy side of photography, they struggle to engage with the person/people they are photographing. While I'm not that good at the technical side of things ( more intuitive I think as I cant keep that side remembered )forming some kind of connection with them is more important than oh yes I wish to photograph them no matter what. My simple thing is to remember that is a person and not a means to an end....
Wonderfully imparted. Love this and learned a lot from you. Thank you
Wonderful. Thank you Alex. Lucky Karen having those beautiful portraits. A second channel ! Awesome. 😊😊😊
Thanks so much Chris!
Again so very well said. That special moment, that sparkle, is the main goal in a portrait.
And I'm looking so much forward to join you on the other channel about portraits.
You and me both! Hopefully it won't be too long before it's up
Thank you for watching
Your portraits are amazing, Alex. I agree with you about finding the moment. In my own work, I tend to keep small-talk to a minimum. Not to be brusque, of course, but to keep the conversation primarily about the shoot: Have you done this before? Have you seen my other work? What have you brought with you? Are you warm enough? That's partly because I've worked with models who have been TOO relaxed. Arriving very late, gossiping with the stylist, playing with their phone. Paying very little attention to the task at hand. I will always maintain a demeanor of complete calm myself; I don't want the sitter to be uncomfortable, but I find it helpful if we're both primarily focused on making good pictures. Also, setting a scenario, like you did with Karen, is a great idea. I might say: Imagine I've just walked in on you, and you're looking at me to see what I want. Or pretend you're singing. A bit of play-acting can make it more fun or more dramatic.
Great portrait of Karen. Congrats! Avedon would do the opposite of what you're saying! Ex; When the Prince of Wales & Wallis Simpson went to his studio on E. 74th St. for their portrait he lied about seeing a dog run over on the street knowing they were dog lovers, capturing that moment of distress! He liked making his subjects uncomfortable at times.
What you are describing is the ability to develop rapport and shape the moment so that the sit will reveal something of their personality. It has been my experience that most people are really lousy at this skill. The average portrait photographer is charming enough that they can usually relax the sit. But what you are describing is another world away. I have known quite a number of portrait photographers and with rare exceptions nearly none of them had this talent/skill.
This video really hit hard for me. I got a million new ideas and a clear path for where I want to take my photography in the future. Thank you so much.
One of your best Alex. Portrait photography is amazing and insightful if you catch the right instant. I’m reminded of the story of Karsh ripping the cigar out of Churchill’s mouth.
Your videos are simply amazing and full of depth - more than any other I’ve seen. Thank you so much Alex.
Wow, thank you
100% agree... Capturing that split second expression is a key skill of a good portrait photographer.
HAHA I love the Frankie Goes to Hollywood Easter Egg.
Another. 😊excellent presentation! I can’t wait for your channel on portraiture!
Thank you
A needed element in today's world. As one who aspires to make enduring portraits, I'm on the same page. I had my share of making smiling commercial portraits years ago. I have yet to find my own way of working with subjects -- one hears so many different approaches; this is helpful. You may have covered it elsewhere, but others have noted that smiling portraits were a great rarity, in photography as well as painting/drawing, until some time in the last century, for a variety of reasons. I will be making 4x5 film portraits, B&W, in natural light, often indoors, on location. I'll be interested to find my way through longer exposures and the stillness required of the sitter, while sometimes still looking to include a feeling of spontaneity. All the best to you, Alex.
Thanks! I'm toying with the idea of 4x5 portraits still. There was an article I read about why people don't smile in 'real' portraiture, forget what it was.
Absolutely right on ! You can never be a truly good portrait photographer if you are not genuinely, honestly totally interested in the person(s) in front of your lens and these photographs show that connection between subject and photographer ...... Grand slam photographs that just knock it right out of the ballpark ! Bravissimo !!!
Thank you so much Alex, as usual you tips and advices are awesome and very helpful!
Thanks for watching.
Love the video. I learn so much from your channel. Any reason for the Franky goes to Hollywood logo at @5:59?
Thanks for the comment! I also saw it and had let me wonder… Thats why scrolled all the way down. Do you became an answer for that?
Haha me too! 😂😅
Thanks so much Alex
As always, educational and inspirational, thank you!
Thank you Nick. It's great to have you watching
Excellent video! One of your best... keep up the good work!
Thank you Dave
A very inspiring video again Alex, thank you.
My pleasure!
I work closely on a one to one basis with people who find themselves in very difficult circumstances to help them improve their lives. In my experience I think you are 100% right. Listening is a very powerful but difficult skill to master. When people feel heard, it can be transformative. I see it every day in work.
I think the comment you made about not "picking at" these traumas, and rather helping your sitter feel empowered by them instead, shows a very high level of emotional IQ which is sadly lacking in a lot of professions where it is needed most.
Always enjoy your videos, Alex. Your passion & dedication to photography is evident & your commitment to sharing with others is greatly appreciated. Best wishes.😊
Thanks you for watching.
Thank you; you had my complete attention from start to finish......
Thank you for watching
Man, these portraits are stunning. Best vid Alex, wow.
Thank you for watching.
Wonderful video: right on the money! I also needed quite a long time to develop enough confidence to be able to establish this connection. But now I love the special moments that I create together with the people I'm photographing.
It's actually quite easy to get this connection. Just be interested in them. If I asked you about your work and was genuinely interested in hearing about it, you'd feel relaxed pretty quick
Great discussion Alex! And I'm very much looking forward to your new channel! ... I just know it'll be fantastic!
Thanks Attila. How are things over that side of the pond?
@@ThePhotographicEye Not too bad for now, many thanks Alex! ... Cheers!
Brilliant - Thanks
Great discussion and even more magnificent lighting in these portraits. I love how bright the faces are. That inspires me.
Thank you
superb lesson Alex…thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Fantastic. Looking forward to your new channel. Thank you. All the best. 👍👍📷😎
Thanks - It's a little while away, but you'll be told ASAP
I'm just starting to enter the "average photographer" area of skill (which I am pleased about!). And am just starting to try my hand at portrait photography (which I love) . Portrait photography. The talking to them is the bit I'm going to struggle with but, as you explain, it is that talking that gets you to that moment. That decisive moment, which changes it from a photo to a portrait. (just to note, I applied Henri's "decisive moment" quote to all photography, before watching this video!). I understand all that to a degree, but its great to hear you exaplin it so well. That it almost makes me think "I understand this", "I can do this". But it's going to take me a while to get there, if I ever do :) Great video as always, you're one of very few channels I watch as soon as it pops up. Thanks!
Thanks Wayne. It's a process and like everyhting else, it takes a bit of time, but you'll get there
You can do this . Im pretty introvert so had to really challenge myself in the beginning but after a while it Will be in your nature to get into a role as a photographer that you Will without even thinking about it engage with they
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you.
Thank you for watching.
What a wonderful lecture!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really great video!
Thank you!
the moment. I struggled but never was able to reproduce those expressions I saw. Or at least to get another shot which is as good or better as the lucky hit I got earlier.
After years of trying, with the same model, some dozen shootings later, I got a pic on a party. And finally, that glow got captured. It took me a couple of thousand photographs of the same model.
Alex while I enjoy your videos on varied photographic genres and your appreciation of other photographers work I find myself rewatching your portrait advice videos over and over as you are taking about portraiture as I enjoy it and your passion for how you do it is so much more apparent than when you’re covering anything else.
Could we please see some addition on ‘that portrait photography channel’?
Some great points - portraiture really is about capturing the spirit
Enjoy your videos and the knowledge & experience you share.
Thank you
Very inspiring Alex , thanks once again for a great video .
My pleasure Gary! Thank you for watching
that was really thoughtful and insightful guide on getting more intimate with portraiture work. youre right, portraiture does indeed have a decisive moment and its so fleeting. i got emotional with you towards the end because i also care deeply about this. Empathy is crucial and people will tell you the most incredible things when they see you truly listening. Carl Rogers goes into this with humanistic psychology. i hope that helps someone in their own journey. im alone in NYC and it sometimes feels hopeless but getting out there everyday and talking and photographing strangers really makes life worth living. Would love to see what you do on your new channel.
Thank you.
Alex, my previous photography experience was 50 years ago in school. And recently I realized that I mostly focused on architecture at that time; and in particular buildings under construction. Now I have recently retired after 30 years as a Building Inspector for the City of Los Angeles. As an inspector all over the city I had so many opportunities to photograph things other people could not, but at the time I only took photos of small "troubled" areas of construction, with the cameras the city provided (Polaroid) mostly. Now I have been gifted a Fujifilm x100v for Christmas, and can't wait to try street photography and portraits etc. I've been inspired by you and Vivian Maier and other photographers I have been checking out. Thanks for the inspiration !
That’s awesome. Thank you for watching
Fantastic! I would love to learn from your Portrait Channel. You are giving me the right feelings and ideas about portraiture. 👍🤟
Awesome, thank you! There seems to be a real appetite for it!
Humanist portraiture … great stuff. So much can be captured in that decisive moment! Thanks for a great insight into your craft.
Thank you so much for watching. Where are you based?
@@ThePhotographicEye Small town just west of Montreal … having the time of my life with a shiny new Fujifilm X100V! Thanks for your excellent video insights into all things photography! Cheers!
If this post was a portrait it would be that key moment of true character. Thanks for sharing your insights and all of these special pieces of your own work.
You're very welcome, and thank you so very much for watching Patty
Engaging with people to get the expression of their soul is equally or more important than technical aspects. I’m a hobbyist who admires those who can make photography a profession.
I literally teared up watching this video. I know exactly what you mean. Thank you for sharing your pictures, your wisdom, and your heart ❤️
You are so welcome
Brilliantly delivered as usual! Stunning image.
Glad you enjoyed it Gary. What other videos did you enjoy?
@@ThePhotographicEye All of them really, but the last few have resonated particularly strongly. One Habit That Changed My Photos For The Better and We Need To Talk About Sharpness In Photography.
What a brillant video. Thanks a lot!
Thank you for watching
Brilliant piece 👏
Couldn’t agree more. Wonderful.
Thank you Frank!
Love this video. Thanks for making it :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love it when you mentioned the person brings out the inner them.
Thanks George!
Yes! Very good idea the portrait channel
Thank you! I hope it won't be long!
This is awesome, such an inspiring video!
Glad you think so!
Superb! Again. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, Alex. It’s a refreshing change from many channels on here.
Question: you’re referring to talking to subjects but it sounds more like listening, creating an empathic space for people to reflect on their lives and situations, so do you use flash, or go for hot lights? Viewfinder, or rear screen/tethered? I’m wondering what mix gets less in the way of conversation, of allowing the decisive moment to happen?
Nice to hear about the National Portrait Gallery in this video
Well said as always ,amazing thank you for sharing such valuable photography portrait information, your wise & highly valued professional photography views is seldom told these days, you are an all time first on RUclips . Congratulations
My pleasure! Thanks for watching Julian
Wow, thank you.
A marvelous essay as well as photograph. Thanks for sharing this
My pleasure! Thank you for watching
Thank you for your words!!!!
Thanks for watching
Headed off to my first portrait shoot - this was a great video to set the mindset. Connection, soul, safe space is what I will create. Thank you.
That’s awesome, thank you.
Love your videos. Your accent here had me wondering about photographer who do hedgehogs. Eventually figured it was head shots.
Keep 'em coming!
A new channel aboult "porch jump" ;l-)
This is a brilliant video that helps spur me on into the world of portraiture. I’ve been shooting all sorts for a few years now and want to focus down a bit more. Very excited to hear about the new channel. Can I ask why the winning portrait might have some technical faults? Your photography and videos are inspiring. 🙏
Frankie Goes to Hollywood on the word "relaxed" at 16:34.
Very clever.
Great advice and awesome video thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Ian! Great to have you here on the channel
Thank you
I do not do portraits but if I ever do, I will remember this, I am sure. Well done and thank you.
Give it a try
One of your best Alex, thanks. Shots of Karen are awesome.
Glad you like them! Thank you so much.
I love this, this is the art of a great photographer
Thank you
Brilliant and insightful. I struggle with portraiture it’s a very intimate thing. Not least getting beyond the technical to the creative. The sitter has an expectation of how they look and needs to go on a journey of self-discovery that rises above what they normally try to see in images of themselves. I love what you achieved from those sittings the alchemy you achieved is tremendous.
Thank you
That moment is best showcased in the work of Mario Testino photographing Princess Diana. One of my favorite portrait sessions.
They are very nice portraits indeed
This was so helpful and enjoyable to watch. Thank you. Look forward to your second channel! Had a chance to spend time with Peter H in Dubai a few years back, good times.
Awesome
Wow, this is powerful stuff! And you´re right. That connection is the factor that separates the good ones from the great. Either it is there and it´s a strong picture or not and the photo is just another photo...
Glad you enjoyed it Petr - thank you for watching
Thanks for watching
Thanks for the inspiration, as usual. I think you’ve really hit it on the head with regards to what makes a good portrait photography….you’ve got to LIKE people and be curious about them! Sign me up for that second channel!
Totally agree! It's quite simple - just be interested, genuinely interested in people
Thank you
i LOVE these photos. What a great help these videos are. Thank you Alex.
~Chuck
Thank you
Truly enjoy your videos. After finally retiring from the military and picking up a camera again twenty plus years later, portraits are an area that i have always been unsure of. There is an atmosphere of intimacy , of connection that must happen. I think for me, that is one area in photography that I, especially towards strangers, need to work on developing or even begin my portrait journey. I sometimes wonder if it is more of an issue with our innerselves being seen rather than us seen those we photograph, hence the reason why we sometimes have an issue developing the connection. I look forward to your portrait channel.
Thank you
Great video, really resonated. I take my time with portraits, build a relationship of trust, talk, listen. I feel that the role is broadly made up of three elements. Part counsellor, part comedian and part photographer - important to create a connection so the shoot doesn’t start straight away. I still struggle to ask people if I can take their portrait mainly because of the intimate nature of the connection. Running a Photography Club on Monday and this is my intended topic.
Yes, those are important and more people should be made aware of them.
You know, I still see people in the street whom I think would photograph really well, and yet, I've only ever once had the courage to ask!
@@ThePhotographicEye Thank you for your comment. People are fascinating to photograph, I enjoy the candid shots then the char afterwards - they are most interested to see how other people might see them. I met an interesting local man, sadly he was homeless. He wanted to show me the town and then his harmonica playing skills. I asked if I could take his picture and he allowed one very quick photograph. One of my favourite portraits in return for a hot meal.
I agree whole heartedly about waiting for 'the decisive moment'. I'd go so far as to say, it's a perfect attitude for life. Very Zen. Anyway, I love your portraits Alex. When I view your work, your photographic skill always moves 'out of the way' to reveal the people. In the same way that a great piece of music sucks you in till the end without ever acknowledging the instruments of arrangement. And at the risk of blowing smoke up your bahooky, your images find a mature balance between drama and subtlety, which is the essence of good story telling. Keep doing what you do mate.
That’s awesome. Thank you
I'm looking forward to follow your second channel. This is going to be awesome!
Awesome, thanks for watching
Awesome thanks for watching