Portait Images - The Problems One Can Face

Portrait Images…

One of things I’ve found is that unless you’re working with a model that’s trained to be in front of the camera and can take direction in what you the photographer is looking for, you get the frozen and can take time to have the person comfortable in a studio or camera environment.

Being Relaxed

For any client that’s come to you and asked you to do a portrait image of them or of a family member have an idea of an image that represents them best. But putting someone in front of a camera seems to cause that involuntary look of nervous or a blank look. Many times I’ve heard people say they hate having their picture taken, but I think this is due more to the situations they've been in when they've had the image taken and by people that like everyone else has a camera and says ‘smile’ and then they see an image they feel is un flattering, this plants the seed of not wanting to have their photo taken.

There’s a great difference to someone having a camera at an event that wants to take photos, but inclined to take the photo of a funny situation that involves that person, while a photographer goes round and looks for that interesting but relaxed look that puts them in a much better light. If you say to someone to look at the camera or look to the left, they end up with this fixated look and their desperate not to blink which involuntary makes them blink as you press the shutter.

Getting that natural look

With young children and animals it seems to work in the opposite direction where you make a noise or rattle something to gain there attention. What makes this different is their not aware as of yet what a camera is or does. Older children and adults, it’s more about getting their attention away from the camera and lights and to focus on something else.

One way is to communicate, build a conversation that leans them into forgetting why they are there, make light of something that comes up in conversation that makes them give that natural smile or laugh. Take an image of someone and ask them to look direct at the camera and then another using the commutation situation, you’re going to see a big difference in the images that makes one stand out better than the other, and that’s the relaxed look.

Using a wireless trigger

Something that I learnt while doing my self-portrait project is to use my wireless trigger to take the shot for me as I don't have anyone to help me behind the camera. 

Using a wireless trigger in the same way while working with a client, gives you the flexibility and the chance to get images easier. Once you've set the lighting and camera up on the subject, you can then move away from the camera and then have your subject focus on you. For instance you want them to look slightly to the left, you move yourself to that position of the angle you want them to be in. you’re getting them to focus on you and not the camera so if you strike up that conversation and carry it through, you’re always going to have that natural look.

Moving around and communicating brings those images your trying to create without that professional model direction. A wireless trigger is there to control the shutter and doesn't need you to be behind the camera all the time. You know you've got the focal length how you want it, and the lighting, all that’s left to do is watch and click, then you’ve got the shot.

Getting the shot

I’m sure other photographers have their own techniques; this is just one way to consider working on portraits if you’re like me and you’re still learning the skills of taking good portraits. Getting those amazing shots can take time but if you find a way that makes it easier for you and the sitter, then you’re saving time and effort for both of you.

Thanks for reading, AndyD

Remote Triggers for Sony Alpha Cameras

At some point in your photography, you end up looking at getting a wireless trigger to control the shutter on your camera and some device to link your studio lighting and flash. The thing is that Sony didn't make a good job by selecting a different design in flash attachment on the camera for their top of the range cameras like the Sony A65/77/99. So when looking for a trigger it can be a bit harder as there are only a few around and the price range is either low or high and will make a difference on quality.

2.4G Wireless Aputure Trigmaster II Flash Trigger + Shutter

When I had my A65, I looked everywhere and then found Aperture made one for the camera, the build is a bit fiddly but works fine and they reckon that it will work up to 120 meters but I’ve found in the studio that sometimes it needs to be in line of sight. But it comes with all the attachments your need and the price isn't bad at about £40 and has 16 channels to work from. 

I didn't have a problem with my flash working wirelessly as you just have to put the pop flash on and then the flash would work TTL from the camera, I should point out that I have the HMVL-58AM since that has the right connection for the camera and doesn't need a hotshoe to reverse it.

Sony A99

When I invested earlier this year in the A99, I knew that it didn't come with an on board pop up flash, but I thought it would still connect wirelessly to the flash, how wrong I was. So this left me with a dilemma and had to shop around for a new wireless trigger that would do the same work with the studio lighting but would work with the flash in wireless mode. I know there are makes out there like Cowboy but is hard to get outside the States. There is Pocket Wizard but at over £200 is a bit over budget for me, Sony must have listen to complaints as they do provide a hotshoe with the A99 as part of the package.

Pixel King for Sony TTL

The Pixel King is just shy of a £100 and comes with more leads than you could ask for and a handy bag to keep it all in. You may notice that there's a USB lead, well if Pixel do any firmware update then you can connect the devices to a PC and keep them up to date, so no messing around in having to look for something else if Sony decided to do an update that might not let your trigger system work.

This set comes with 3 different groups and 7 different combinations, which is more than anyone would need. It has that all-important TTL connection and has a sync speed of up to 1/8000s and will work up to 100 meters and over. I did a test and actually will work through solid walls with its radio signal, not that you would find a situation to do this but was interesting putting it through the test. 

The receiver I love as I can connect it to the camera and then on top connect my 

Hahnel Giga T Pro II Wireless Remote Control that I use a timer remote and for bulb work, so everything is tidy on the camera.

This is a super kit and I'm sure that for other makes of camera, it will do just as a good a job, if you need to add an extra transmitter, that’s no problem and for the price I think that it does as good a job as the more expensive models. Pixel also does a receiver that can control light power output amongst other things, but I didn't feel the need to go for that as I can make do for the time being with what I've got.

So if you’re on a budget, either of these devices will do the job and a good one at that, so don't be put off if you’re looking at getting a Sony Alpha camera as there are work a rounds for these great cameras that are easy to use and light to work with.

Thanks for reading, AndyD