Avoiding Obvious Shots a Good Idea?

[William Baroo]

I have to keep reminding my wife of certain things in order to prevent her from wrecking photos. For example, I have to tell her to quit posing. If I see her and my son doing something that would make a good photo, and she sees me, she will start trying to arrange a pose that looks like it came with a wallet.

Similarly, I am learning that I have missed good photos by being too obvious. Sometimes it's better to skip shooting the obvious picture.

Today my son was getting cleaned up, and I took the attached shot with the phone while he was in the utility sink. I think it's much better than most of the more-inclusive shots I've taken, where more of him is visible. I took three shots, and I like this one best because his mouth is not clearly seen. It's funnier this way. I think it would be better if his mouth were not visible at all.

I'm thinking of looking for more shots that aren't obvious, like photos where only part of the body appears, or only a shadow. Is this something I would have picked up if I had been industrious enough to read more about photography?

 

[VidThreeNorth]

. . .

I'm thinking of looking for more shots that aren't obvious, like photos where only part of the body appears, or only a shadow. Is this something I would have picked up if I had been industrious enough to read more about photography?

With modern digital, the only way that taking an "obvious" shot is detrimental is if it makes you miss a better shot. As long as you have battery, memory, and opportunity, how does that happen? I see no advantage in skipping shots of any kind. If I want to only keep one of three or four, then just delete the others later. I take pictures that I want to take. That's the standard.

 

[smoke665]

Posing is at the direction of the one behind the lens, the subject does not have the luxury of observing themselves. The art of posing someone in their most flattering light is a skill learned from experience. You learn to "observe first", things like body position, blemishes/body problems, good side/bad side, overweight/underweight, skin tone, lighting, then you start to position them. How you turn someone can make them bigger/slimmer, masculine, feminine, hide blemishes, etc. I think what you're looking for is "spontaneity", however that still doesn't mean you aren't posing them (even if they are unaware). For example, moving around for a different perspective, or light.

 

[21limited]

One of my wife's favourite lines...
"What kin of photographer are you that you'd take an unflattering image like that."
She has trouble believing that not every picture with her in it, is. about her. Sometimes my dear, you just happened to be there.

 

[William Baroo]

One of my wife's favourite lines...
"What kin of photographer are you that you'd take an unflattering image like that."
She has trouble believing that not every picture with her in it, is. about her. Sometimes my dear, you just happened to be there.

That's really funny, and I get it completely. Although since getting married, my shots with my wife and/or son in them are generally as much about them as the scene.

The heir apparent took his first trip to stores with us to day, and I made a point of making him small in photos, thinking the pictures would tell a story that way. The context says, "Dad and Mom took me to Home Depot. They thought it was really important. I couldn't have cared less."

I'm not knocking people who take posed shots for a living. That would be stupid. I hope it doesn't sound like I am. But I'm not interested in that, myself, and I don't have the skills or equipment to do it anyway.

We paid a hospital photographer to take photos when my son was born, and they're competent professional shots, but they look exactly like everyone else's newborn pictures. Same formulas. Same props carried around in a box. I prefer candid shots taken by a parent.

Even if my work is technically not good, and I'm using a phone, I still like the results.

 

[denum]

A true trail blazer takes the path way less traveled and that is sort of what you are inquiring about here. There is, imho, no problem with straying away from the norm. That is what makes this interesting.

 

[William Baroo]

I still plan to pay a pro for typical family shots, since they have their place.

 

[21limited]

Even if my work is technically not good, and I'm using a phone, I still like the results.

That’s all that matters.
As a child of mixed race parents I love that image. It takes a special kind of courage to be those parents. When i see mixed race families, i always go say a few words. There aren’t many who understand what they go through.

 

[William Baroo]

You have a good eye!

 

[JoeW]

There is a difference between taking a snapshot and making a picture. Personally, I loved the photo of your son in the sink. But the challenge is that some people look at a picture expecting to see art and others expect to see a snapshot of someone looking at their best.

 

[paigew]

You can get better at candid photography for sure. It's what I started my career doing. I would focus on composition and learning how to minimize distractions and 'tell a story' with your photos. One thing that I like to do when people try to pose too much is, take the posed photo they want. Click click. Yes that was so cute! Then start chatting away like like aww, he loves his mama. How about a kiss. Or...make him laugh mama! Etc. You can guide subjects into natural interactions. Good luck your baby is adorable.