Custom Search
|
|
 
|
||
|
DIRECTING PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBJECTS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Detail the methods used in coordinating individual and group photographs. One of the most difficult tasks of photographing people is directing them. Since you are the only person who can see what the picture will look like before it is taken, you must take responsibility for "the.pose." INDIVIDUAL PICTURES As a Navy journalist you will take pictures of individuals for a multitude of projects, such as news releases, familygrams and cruisebooks. Therefore, you should be familiar with the methods used to direct photographic subjects. One way to make directing and posing easier is to give your subject an object to handle. Do not tell him to "just stand there," as though in a vacuum, with nothing to do. Men and women can hold a book binoculars or a tool used in their work. Children will do fine with a doll or model airplane. Another strategy is to give your subject something to lean or sit on. Use a chair, stool, post or tree. If you use props in your individual photographs, make sure you do your homework. For instance, do not photograph a gunner's mate holding a 3-inch shell in front of a 5-inch gun mount. Eyes are very important when photographing people. When the subject's eyes look straight into the camera, a strong and immediate impact is created that attracts the viewer's interest. When the eyes are directed away from the camera, the effect is less explicit and has more of an ambiguous quality. Decide on the approach that is best for your photograph and direct your subject appropriately. Finally, you must be in charge of the situation. It is up to you to tell the subject what to do, how to do it and when to do it. This applies to a vice admiral as well as a seaman. Many people are nervous and self-conscious in front of a camera. They try to look their best, and in doing so often present a stilted expression or pose. It is your job to give directions regarding their pose. It is also your responsibility to make sure that coat sleeves are pulled down and wrinkles are smoothed out. Make sure the subject's hat is set at the proper angle. If you ignore these potential problem areas, your photograph will ultimately suffer. Occasionally you will receive an assignment to photograph a group of people. There is added difficulty when working with a number of people atone time. You should consider each person individually, but you should also consider each individual as he relates to the entire group. Every precaution should be taken to make sure each person is shown clearly, and interest is not drawn to one person by some awkward pose or expression. There are two general types of group pictures - formal and informal. Both are covered in the following text. Formal A formal group is one in which several people, uniformly dressed for the occasion, are seated or standing in as nearly the same pose as possible. Each member is placed in approximate y the same relative position so that attention is not drawn to one person (fig. 11-23). A formal group of about five people can be composed to fill the picture area very nicely. When six to 10 people are being photographed in a group, arrange them in two rows. For larger formal groups, arrange the people in as many rows as necessary to fill the frame is higher than the preceding one. On level ground the first row can be seated, the second standing, and the third standing on benches. Another method which you can use in combination with the first is to elevate the camera so that it is pointing down at an angle on the group. This method is useful as an aid in composing and filling the picture area. A higher camera angle can be useful in eliminating an undesirable background. Customarily, in a formal group, the highest ranking person is located in the center of the first row and other members of the group arranged alternately to the right and left, according to grade. When all members of the group are the same grade, arrange them according to height, with tall individuals either in the center or at the ends, or occupying the rear rank.
Figure 11-23. - Formal group photograph. Informal Avoid stringing out one long, narrow line of people The informal group is intended to depict some action or across the frame. tell a story about the individuals. Although the position When a large group is formed into three or more and pose of each member is carefully planned, the rows, you must devise some method to prevent the rear results must appear casual and realistic (fig. 11-24). rows from being blocked from view. Furthermore, to Members may be seated, kneeling or standing in a compose the picture properly and fill it from top to variety of positions and do not have to look in the same bottom, you should have each row higher than the direction. preceding one. One method is to arrange the group on One of the most important factors in group the steps of a building, bleachers or terrace, so each row photography is arranging people to obtain the best
Figure 11-24. - Informal group photograph. possible composition. Regardless of the number of people in a group, they should be situated to fill the picture and provide the largest possible image size of each person. One exception to this general rule is when the importance of the background is equal to or greater than the group itself. This often occurs with an informal group when the picture is actually intended to emphasize some object or piece of equipment, rather than the individuals. In this case, locate the camera for the best composition of the Object; then arrange the people in the picture to enhance the story being told. As with individual pictures, you must stay in charge. If you relinquish control, you will have a hard time getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time. Talk to the group and give them your instructions. Make sure your equipment is ready so you do not waste time and lose the group's attention. |
 
|
|
|
||
