A photographer friend of mine recently had his first commercial assignment. Previously, he’d shot editorials for magazines and newspapers. When he got the call for the commercial job, he told himself that he’d do the best possible job for the client, working hard to get professional-looking pictures. He made it clear to me that he was very serious about the project.
So off he went to the client. He was briefed on all the technical aspects of the project and potential subjects. After the deal was signed, the director of the project said two words to him that changed his entire outlook on the project – and the outcome of the pictures. Those words, he told me, were, “have fun.” That’s exactly what he did. My friend had fun with the project, projecting a happy attitude while photographing each person. And sure enough, his attitude was reflected in the pictures, which the client loved.
Your attitude can greatly affect how your pictures turn out. Put another way, so eloquently in a well-known photo expression: “The camera looks both ways; in picturing the subject, we are also picturing a part of ourselves.” Keep that saying in mind and you’ll get a higher percentage of, as we say in the world of professional photography, “keepers.”
1. If you set out to have fun with your photography, that attitude will be reflected in your pictures. Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Canon 16-35mm lens @ 16mm.
2. Project a positive attitude and a sense of enthusiasm, and your subject will pick up on your feelings. Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Canon 28-105mm lens @ 100mm.
3. “The camera looks both ways” is a well-known photo expression. I was very serious about getting a portrait of this porter in Rajasthan, India. My seriousness is reflected n my pictures. Canon EOS 1D, Canon 70-200mm lens @ 200mm.
Rick Sammon is author of The Complete Guide to Digital Photography, published by W. W. Norton. See www.ricksammon.com for details.
