It has been an exciting term thus far in the Digital
Photography program at Lambton College. We are in our fourth and final term: at
this point in our studies, we are applying the culmination of the knowledge we
have gained to our photo shoots. We have learned and grown so much in the past
year and a half. The professors in the program are not your typical teachers,
but are instead mentors. The lessons and assignments are challenging, inspiring
and creative.
As defined by Merriam-Webster, “Progression is a movement or
development toward a destination or a more advanced state, esp. gradually or in
stages.”
At the end of January, our mentor David Chidley brought in
models Nolan and Lovely from a local modeling agency called ‘The Fashion
Palace.’ It was a wonderful experience for the class as the models were eager
to be photographed. It is such a joy when people like being in front of the
camera!
A photo shoot is like a first dance with someone that you
have just met…
It starts out stiffly as the photographer adjusts the
lighting and the settings on her camera while the model is often guarded and
needs to warm up to the photographer. Oftentimes, it is a good idea to give the
subjects a ‘prop’ or something to hold onto in the beginning of the shoot until
they feel more at ease. Ideally, in a short period of time, both the
photographer and the subject become more comfortable with one another and the
photo shoot flourishes… Poses, backgrounds and lighting are changed with more
fluidity. The photographer becomes more
courageous in the dance that started out so rigidly while the model loosens up
and softens his/her approach to the camera. There is a lot of dialogue between
the subject and the photographer and oftentimes a lot of laughter. The dance is
no longer awkward, but beautiful.
According to Carolyn J. Marr in "Taken
Pictures: On Interpreting Native American Photographs of the Southern Northwest
Coast", Native Americans from the late 19th to the early 20th
century were wary of having their photographs taken, as some believed the
photograph was stealing part of their soul. For many, the negative attitude
towards photography eventually turned into a positive one when they realized
that photographs are a link to their ancestors and the camera is a powerful
tool for use in ceremonies and the recording of history.
A skilled photographer can capture the spirit of a person.
One can see and feel it in a person’s eyes upon viewing the image. The soul is
intact, but it is as though a window to it has been opened. The encounter may
start out awkwardly, but in a very short amount of time it grows into a
beautiful moment made permanent through the lens.
The results of a successful progression in a photo shoot are
superior images that best capture the essence of the subject whether that may
be a person or an object. This is especially true with regards to portraiture
photography. David Chidley brought in the models to teach us this invaluable
lesson and the results of the photo shoot on that cold January day are
stunning!
Thank you to Lovely and Nolan for their time; I look forward
to seeing the images that I captured used in a portfolio for their modeling
needs.
To see more of my photography, please visit and like my
Facebook page, Angelyn Smolders Photography.
Namaste.
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| Faculty member Dave Chidley photographs Lovely in a demonstration "warm-up" session before the model took turns posing for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders |
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| Faculty member Dave Chidley shows the results of initial shoot to model, Lovely in a demonstration photo session before posing for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders |
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| Model Lovely, from studio photo session for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders |
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| Model Lovely, from studio photo session for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders |
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| Model Nolan, from studio photo session for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders |
