New class...

I'm in the middle of developing and designing a new class on portraiture! I'm so excited about it and I think that it will be great but sometimes when you are in the middle of a large project it's hard to see through to the end result. I want to be sure and cover all the things people want to know about photographing well...people. So I have a few questions for you dear readers!

What do you want to know about photographing people? Do you have posing questions? Lighting questions? Babies? Teens? Adults? Families?  

What has always alluded you when you were trying to take a portrait? Would you want to see a full shoot on film? Or would you rather just see techniques in the videos?

I'd love to hear any questions or thoughts that you have! Post your thoughts and questions by Monday and one of you just might win a spot in the class for helping me out!

Comments

[Barbara]

Hi Candice!

I was in your Oh Shoot! class and I'm looking forward to your new portrait class. One of the things I have been having trouble with while taking pictures of people is posing. I like candid shots more than anything but when you have to do a posed picture, people except you to tell them how to pose and sometimes I'm clueless about that. Also, what do you normally say to let them know when you are taking the picture so that they are not in freezed expression for too long but that they don't close their eyes when you finally press the button? I feel like the the typical "one, two, three... cheese!" is not appropiate for serious photography.... right?

Lighting is a big for me too... especially with kids that move around so much you have to reset the settings on the camera continuosly.

I would love to see a full shoot on film! I think that would be incredible helpful in learning how to address all the aspects of preparing a good shot.

Hopefully I get a spot in this class! You're an awesome teacher Candice!

- Barbara H.

[Hillary Barney]

Hi Candice. I would love to know how to shoot toddlers & small children. It seems like they just can't sit still for a second and I always miss the moment that I want to get. Also, the lighting never seems to be right, and tips and tricks on that would be great!

[Dana N]

I would love to learn how to photograph someone - from start to finish. More specifically, finding a location, clothing and jewelry suggestions for the subject, different poses, what type of lenses to use, etc.

I would also like suggestions on candid portrait photography (is there such a thing?). Like tips on how to make an individual comfortable so their real personality comes through. What do you do to make them forget that you are there? I want something more like a personality shot instead of the typical "school photo" look.

Have fun developing the rest of the class. It sounds so exciting!

[Asha Patel]

I need help with getting the best images of my spunky, busy-body toddler and other kiddos. Also, a full photo shoot on film would be AMAZING! I would love to see you in action!

[Megan Davis]

Coaching the person getting photographed into the right position is something that I need help with. I always feel awkward directing them where I need them to be. And lighting is a big issue too. I can never seem to get the catch lights big enough for my taste. I think seeing a candid photo shoot would be totally awesome. I've always wanted to tag along on one before just to see how other people do it. I would totally take the class just to see footage of that! Good luck with putting everything together. Sounds like you have some super fun ideas. I'll be looking forward to it!

[Sue Taylor]

Beyond the actual "how do I get my kids to sit for me" anyway dilema (they were actually quite pleased when my camera broke, oh dear!). It would have to be not only getting the subject comfortable, but also myself. I took Oh Shoot! so I am well on my way to understanding how to use my camera, but I tend to go for still life shots rather than portraits because I wouldn't know whee to start otherwise. Seeing a full photo shoot on film would be absolutely awesome. Thanks Candice, I love seeing your photos on the blog. Best of luck with the class! scrappysue

[Amy N]

Make a full movie of it! That would be so much fun to watch. I think the hard part is getting them to feel comfortable. How to you open them up in such a diverse society without offending someone? Lighting is my other issue. . .do I need to spend money on lighting when I shoot outside in the daylight?

[Carol Dillon]

Candice I can't wait for your next class to come out at JS.
My question is positioning of the people. I find taking a photo of one person easy but when it comes to 2 or more, how should they stand (I need specific examples) and when there is more than one, what should I be focusing on etc so all are in focus.
I would love to see a whole shoot of yours.

[Hilary]

K, I seriously want a class about posing myself with my newborn. :) I'm on the prowl for some great shots of moms with newborns (that I can set-up for Drew to take). Of course, I'm only going to want them in the next couple of weeks (or so I hope)... do you have any of those? :)

[Kate]

Candice...Took Oh Shoot! and loved it. I may be in the minority here, but having no kids, I'd love to see how pictures like the one in this post came to fruition. So, I for one, think a full photo shoot would be invaluable. I also have issues with lighting, and getting my hubby to "pose" for me. Although, I am not sure anyone can help with that ;)
Thanks for your hard work...can't wait for the next class to start!
Kate

[Leana]

When I see portraits I really like it would be nice to see the behind the scenes of it. Show the position of the photographer and give the other details like focal length that lens is at. Other things that would be helpful are tricks to posing people so they look their best.

[Amy Coose]

Hey Candace! I'd love to learn how to help people be more comfortable in front of the camera. This is a great idea!

[Michelle]

I'd love to see help on getting people to look more natural. I've shot several family portraits and they always look too staged. How can I get them to loosen up and not look so stiff? So I guess that's a long way of saying I need help with posing.
Thanks!

[Maureen]

I would like to see a walk through on natural lighting. So what time is it, what location have you chosen and why, where is the sun, where is the shade, how do you face the person to catch that light. I have heard about and read about light, but I still have trouble really finding it myself.

[Diane]

I would love to learn what equipment I need and the basics of indoor lighting for Senior Picture type portraits.

[Kristen]

I would love to see a whole shoot. The two areas I struggle most with are lighting and getting good smiles. My kids are usually blinking and have a strange, strained smile on their faces. Thank you!

[lisa Edney]

Posing, artificial lighting (ie strobe work???), any tips you have on newborns, kids, teens and senior pictures, etc. Thank you!

[Wendy]

I still struggle with lighting and find it hard to figure out if I nailed it with the small viewfinder. Some good tips on how to make the most out of natural lighting. I really prefer unposed candid shots but you definitely have a niche for awesome posed, interesting photos so I would love to hear all of your ideas!

[kat-in-texas]

I'd like to know the thoughts that run in your head as you're taking pictures. Is there a mental checklist--and what is that for you? (I want to make it part of MY mental checklist!)

What are you looking for and trying to avoid? I'd kinda like to hear your "mental commentary" as you're taking the shots in your videos. (Does that make sense?)

Thanks, Candice!!! I'm so looking forward to being in your class again!!!

[Stacy]

The key areas that would be really helpful would be...

1. Demonstrating proper focus on both eyes (if one is closer) or if it's visually more appealing to simply focus on the closest one.

2. Demonstrating posing when more than one person is involved...specifically making families appear natural. Do you stand on your head, tell jokes, stand quietly and wait, take time to get to know the individual/family/group prior to shooting? How do you make them comfortable...whether it's your own kids or people you just met?

3. Demonstrating the best way to quickly establish white balance, focus, & metering for group portraits. And how to adjust when there are vastly different skin tones (like Caucasian and African American) and/or vastly different outfit choices (like a black tuxedo and a white wedding dress) in the same shoot?

4. Demonstrating details of natural light portraits both indoor and outdoor. Perfect weather and lighting isn't always the norm...so what do you do in your house at 9 p.m. or outside in full sun, rain, snow, clouds, etc. without setting up lighting?

Watching a full shoot would be excellent if it were super detailed. Perhaps you could do screen shots that would pop up during the shoots to show your different camera settings, the angle of light, etc., so it would be very clear.

Good luck. I absolutely cannot wait to see the final product. I'm sure it's gonna ROCK. :o)

[Meg H.]

I absolutely LOVED your photography class! One of your gifts is explaining photographing in layman terms and I really appreciate that.

I don't know where to start....let's see. Positioning is very important. I know it's more flattering for adults to take their picture from the side but how do you make the picture POP. And what is best for children? Any tricks for getting them to look at the camera and really make their eyes stand out?

Can you talk about adding texture to shots at all? I love blue lily blog's photos and I love how texture can enhance a shot.

Color? Which colors should you recommend that people wear to be flattering and colorful?

Bokeh? You addresses this a little in the last class. I'd love to know more. How to make christmas lights in your camera look out of focus yet a beautiful backdrop for a portrait?

I do want to see a full shot on film but the individual techniques are helpful too! Maybe a mix?!

And then there is lighting...strobes, better flashes (speedlights), reflectors? Which is the most helpful?

Thanks Candice!

[Julie Brooks]

I would love to watch a full shoot. It would be great to see what steps you go through to get great photos.
I would love to see what settings you use. It would be great to see how your process flows from start to finish.
I can't wait to see this class.

[Jamie]

lighting lighting lighting. I was in your oh shoot class and it helped me to understand my camera, but if you can't get the light right, you are still left with no picture.

[Sunny]

Lighting for outdoor shoots! Help with natural looks from kids! Loved your Oh Shoot class (you let me slide in after the fact). YOU are the person who has helped me the most with photography. Since your class, there isn't an Auto button on my camera. :-)

[Brooke]

I would also love to see a full shoot and your step-by-step process.

I'm also wondering how you handle toddlers and trying to control your lighting situations. Do you just go with the flow, or do you try to set up certain lighting situations and put them into them?