Shutter Sisters

the art of conversation

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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

  8. 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/

  10. 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! 🙂

  18. 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).

  19. 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/