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stuny

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Some of you might remember my comment that Indians seem to be among the most willing people on Earth to be photographed. Here are two examples. The first is a guard above me at a wall in the Taj Mahal. He was too far to converse with but I indicated my wanting to take his photo so he stopped and sternly posed. The second is of a guard at the Amber Fort in Jaipur. I mimed that I'd like to take his photo, and he quickly put his cigarette out of site on his far side and struck a pose. Ther are plenty more examples of this willingness to be photographed in the India photo galleries on our site.

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Hello Stuart, in both pictures I miss light.. the eyes are dark holes. regards Stefan

What is the best approach to avoid these 'dark holes' and to 'get light into the subject's eyes'. Certainly under the given circumstances, of course. Thanks.

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Stuart

 

This is a general comment, I must say that I am greatly enjoying all the pictures you have been posting for this trip. Especially the ones you took the other day in the village.

 

How much longer do we have to look forward to more pictures from this visit?

 

LouisB

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Stuart,

your write-ups are informative and interesting and reflect unfamiliar realities.

Your photos are done in a personal style that I, for one, enjoy very much.

Though I don't comment on all your picts, I look at them all and appreciate that you choose to share them.

Keep'em comming.

 

Uwe,

there are four ways that I know of:

- Use a fill flash and, unless you know what you are doing, ruin the ambiance.

- Use a small reflector or diffuser and, unless...

- Ask the subject to wait untill the sun is lower and the light is more horizontal or the sky gets cloudy; in the case of the first photo, it might take a while.

- Enjoy the photo as is (Wich is the option I prefer since I find the harchness of the light and the dark eyes add to the description of the stern character of the subject).

 

Just my two cents worth ;-)

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Stuart

 

Whilst the first picture is the more striking composition, I like the second one for its natural pose, interesting colours and smooth tones.

 

Unlucky about the eyes in the first - I guess reflectors and reportange don't easily go together !!

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Mike - Thank you.

Stefan - You're right. Suggestions?

Louis - Thank you. I've been dribbling them onto the site since December. More to come.

Daniel - Thanks. Also impacting the "eyes" and how to deal with them are the issues of time, opportunity and schedule.

Robert - Thank you. I prefer #2, too, for the subject's pose, for his very good looks, and for the interaction.

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Guest imported_stefan_r

Hello Stuart, I don’t know your approach, I think our all approach should be "get better, learn how to compose a portrait, how to use the space, how to use the available light" I am sincere, I my case that means: if the light is not good enough I don’t take portraits of people. why showing somebody with dark black holes? there is nothing interesting or nice about. I don’t care about the light when running around on the street catching “street life”, but taking people’s portrait eyes are important. the humans life with eye contact… ;) or not?

Daniel gave you several solutions, but who carries around a reflector in holidays? ;) and even if your have a reflector with you, you kill the situation.. the spontaneous feeling is gone in the moment you pull out your reflector. I also hate it to bother people with a flash...

 

so there is only two possibilities left.

 

move your model, talk to them, like we see, both are ok with it that you take pictures of them, so just tell them that the light here and in that special moment is not good enough. I bring here one example, this man was standing in the BRIGHT sunlight, I liked his face, so I asked him if I can take a picture... but at the same time I had to convince him to move some meters into the shadow.

 

in your left picture you have a very bright light, that’s good starting point, now you move your model just to the shadow, the best place is always there where the shadow starts and the bright light ends.. there at that border you place your model.

 

the right picture needs more light, open your lens, half step, then you will have enough light in his eyes. maybe later you have to burn the background a little.

 

the second option is: don’t photograph in these light conditions, just wait for a better situation. some hours later, or the next day you meet new people new faces, new situations.

best Stefan

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Hi Stu; I know your entire India portfolio from you personal web pages and I enjoyed it browsing through. I like the pictures of the guards. Impressive faces they have I may add.

 

Thanks.

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Guest evita
Hello Stuart, I don’t know your approach, I think our all approach should be "get better, learn how to compose a portrait, how to use the space, how to use the available light" ... there's written a lot more, READ PEOPLE!!!...

 

Slowly I get the feeling that nobody really wants to know, because it is not that difficult, even *I* have learnt it, to pay attention to the light. What I think is that lots of people want to travel, best thing to far away places, take lots of pictures from exotic looking people (and not to talk to them, to interact, to live with them, to stay with them, because that would mean also to give something, and not to take only) and show them off here. QUALITY isn't what counts, but QUANTITY. But if that is what they, what you want, everyone as s/he pleases...

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Slowly I get the feeling that nobody really wants to know, because it is not that difficult, even *I* have learnt it, to pay attention to the light. What I think is that lots of people want to travel, best thing to far away places, take lots of pictures from exotic looking people (and not to talk to them, to interact, to live with them, to stay with them, because that would mean also to give something, and not to take only) and show them off here. QUALITY isn't what counts, but QUANTITY. But if that is what they, what you want, everyone as s/he pleases...

In this context I hv. to admit that unfortunately I find your comments rather unpleasant and unappropriated. Is it really needed to get personal w/out any reason just because someone want to have his photographs being criticized in a constructive manner by the adequate audience? IMHO you're a way out of line.

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Evita,

 

have to say I agree with Uwe on this one. In my experience of his work, Stuart doesn't take anything away from his subjects, in fact quite the opposite. Althought you are clearly entitled to your views, I think you really should take more care to have your somewhat cutting observations based on fact.

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Hi Stefan,

 

The "light in the eyes" is a "tool" in the toolbox of the photographer that is easily memorized, and can then be utilised to very good effect. Some photographers by default even enhance the contrast in the eyes of the people on their photographs as the eyes is such a dominant element in the picture that draws the attention of the observer onto it.

 

To me this "tool" still requires some thought, as the Light mostly originates from the sky (and much more seldom from a bright illuminated surface) so in my experience the viewpoint of the photographer, as well as the direction of view of the subject play an important role.

 

On the other hand, I visited today the excellent Guggenheim exhibition in Bonn. On show is also a picture called L'Etudiant by Amedeo Modigliani. In the place of the eyes only two light blue surfaces are left and still it has a superb captivating expression and prescence. Made me think how to achieve such an effect in photography...

 

Kind regards, C.

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Guest imported_stefan_r

""Ther are plenty more examples of this willingness to be photographed in the India photo galleries on our site.""

 

 

I agree with Evita, even if others think that Stuart has a portfolio full of masterpieces. there is a lot to learn... but since here thats secondary, people who have different opinions get clear personal messages.... take these pictures go to a serious galleries and try to get an exhibition. tell me what they said.. ohhhh well yes! you will say "mister rohner" is very arrogant, well I am not. I just tell you what the galleries would tell you.

 

I think is time to leave this forum again, full of "terrific, awesome" work... :D then you can tap on peoples shoulders again...without somebody bothering you.

happy regards, Stefan

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Guest imported_stefan_r

""Ther are plenty more examples of this willingness to be photographed in the India photo galleries on our site.""

 

P.S. I don’t know you Stuart, and I don’t want to hurt you or make a statement about you, but this sentence sounds very very strange, it sounds like "lets go hunting, lets take the most pictures possible in the shortest time"

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For me there are two conundrums here.

 

How do you encourage and support a fellow photographer, while also helping them aquire greater craft. I found Stefan's suggestion about moving the subject to the edge of the shadow very helpful. It's also an unfortunate possibility that someone could be discouraged by his remark though that wasn't the intention. Given the range of responses, I think we've been both encouraged and instructed. Ideal.

 

As for the whole subject of shooting strangers, I think its interesting to put yourself in their shoes. Living in coastal Maine, I get inundated with hordes of cranky tourists each summer. Because we're all from the same culture and country, they are thankfully, not much interested in taking pictures of the natives, me included. I'm thankful. I would find it very intrusive.

 

On the other hand, when I've been to the Himalayas, I take shots of the locals, always asking permission first, which causes me to miss a number of good shots. (I've posted some here years back.) I've exhibited some as well. I'm aware that the subject matter does much to carry such an exihibit. Images taken from the local landscape find a much more discriminating response, and demand better photography.

 

I don't seem to have any desire to take shots of the locals in my home town.

 

What have I given? What have I taken away? Good questions.

 

My thanks to both Stuart and Stefan. Great website Stefan.

 

Best,

 

Mitchell

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