the art of conversation

Sarah's post last week, against cheese, had me cracking up and nodding my head all at once. Yes yes, i know that face, that glazed over, not another photo mom face, or the tongue that instantly pops out when i turn my camera on. Kids can be tough subjects some days. I have a little sneaky trick, hey i am a mom of 3, a girl has to have a few tricks up her sleeve. Have you ever turned your camera on, laid it down in front of you, and then pretended it's not there? This works great on a table, in the grass, or on a bed. Be casual, talk, let them tell you a story, ask them about their day and when they get going and get lost in their conversation, click away! Don't pick it up, it will kill the moment. Just ever so casually put your finger on the shutter and push (auto focus on of course). I love the animated faces you capture when your subject is unknowing. Wide eyes, the giggles, a pensive moment, or perhaps a whole lot of animation. Your subject can be anyone, maybe you have an unwilling partner or camera shy friend, getting them to relax and forget the camera is there will make for some great faces and shots. So continuing with this month's one word, faces, go ahead, try it and share an unguarded face with us here today. Or what tricks do you have up your sleeve? Do tell. :)

Comments

[Marcie]

Love the expression you captured.
And - here is one of my favorite 'unguarded' faces:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1246

[Leslie]

Anything with chocolate also seems to distract them... I love how relaxed and focused he is on his monster cookie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thel-list/4792767928/

[xanthe]

your boy is delightful! i'd love to listen in on your conversations.

i love the art of subtle clicking away. last night i captured a cosy snuggle from the autumn air.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/4922465823/

[Brooke]

This is a favorite of my friend. We were out to dinner, but I wanted to squeeze off a couple shots before diving into my dinner. She's laughing at another friend - and this is her completely unguarded. It's a bit blurry but I love the colors.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterboo502/4396903992/in/set-72157621985349211/

[Sarah]

Oh oh oh he is too cute!!!! I adore candid shots..I seldom ask my kiddos to pose for me. Here is one I love..not the greatest shot photography wise..but I love it anyway. Really shows their personalities..my Hanna and Fox.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cottagegardenstudios/4618206731/

[Rachel]

what a sweet candid capture. I love his expression. Here's my little one lost in her own world.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturingthemomentphotography/4923691176/

[Meg]

love it, kristin... I do something very similar :)

http://teaandbrie.com/blog/?p=1007

[cynthia]

You just described a very familiar scenario for me when I bring out my camera in front of the boys, particularly my youngest. This is an awesome tip and will have to try it one day. My only apprehension with it is that photography isn't 2nd nature to me being only a self-taught amateur. I'd love to get to a stage one day where I'm comfortable enough to talk candidly with my kids while setting up the shot discretely. For me, I sometimes rely on (toy-like) props to get some candid/natural-looking expressions from them like this:

http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/orange/

Or, I sit in the corner of the room taking practice shots while they're playing at a whirlwind pace around me and wait until they eventually settle down. Sometimes, I get lucky and get an honest emotion:

http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/pillow-envy/

[Patty Reiser]

last year while photographing my best friend and her family, I did just that. While they thought I was adjusting the settings on my camera, I noticed how relaxed they were and captured this photograph:

http://www.pkphotographyblog.us/2009/06/tricky-capturing-the-smiles/

[Vanessa]

love it. I think I have done this a few times with family when they just get so sick of me pointing the camera. You get the best candid shots!

My little guy knows the sound of the shutter so I might only get one photo off before he knows what's up! :)

[Aly Sev]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funshinealy/3714999338/

I tell my boys to tell me a funny story or a story about their day. Sometimes I tell them that I'm going to tell THEM a story. I also think props work wonderfully for younger kids. Pretty soon they forget you're there.

[georgia]

love the unguarded look in this shot. what a sweetie.

i was lucky to be able to photograph my husband's cousin's little girl who was too young to know she was being photographed. it made it easy to take her picture without having to be sneaky. : )

here was my favorite bright-eyed shot of that day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/4924401398/in/photostream/

[Katie]

The Hubs knew I was shooting, the little guy was too busy...http://www.flickr.com/photos/smohrs/4895244891

[Ashley]

Here's my candid shot of the day, my daughter was talking to me and watching something on the tv not paying much attention and I snapped this one of her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40383774@N07/4924884774/in/photostream/

[louis]

Thanks for this post! It was extremely informative and helpful! I just learned everything I need to know today.

[Renae]

Oh those eyes!

Here's my camera on the table shot -- kiddo eating breakfast:http://www.flickr.com/photos/theopuses/4882216043/in/set-72157624568130701/

[Kelly Langner Sauer]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellylangnersauer/4925931627/

[Crystal]

Telling jokes. Saying things like "don't laugh". Over-animated high fives from behind the camera. Asking them to jump. Asking them to run to the camera. Doing impersonations (we all do our best and worst impersonations, me and my subjects).

[MelanieMH]

Great trick! I used the same technique when my friend's mum & gran came over.
I really wanted a three generations picture and yet my friend's gran wasn't too into the idea and was worried about being awkward. So I put the camera on my lap and got them talking/killing themselves laughing. It turned out to be a great afternoon!
You can totally see the family resemblance among these women...yet sadly these photos were the last ones taken before my friend's gran got very ill and was hospitalized. Both my friend and her mum were so thankful to get some photos of them all together.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniemh/1516260462/