A Swing Shot

[Benji]

(Cut and Paste) "May I ask what lens/settings you used...I ask because the bokeh seems a bit choppy."

I used the Canon 24-105 F 4. I think I shot this wide open.* I don't know if Canon lenses have good or bad bokeh, but the customer liked this image, and to me that is what counts.

Benji

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by Athena

Perhaps we need to distinguish between classical posed portraiture and candid portraiture.* There is a remarkable difference.* Benji's work is obviously posed portraiture.* Some people love it, some prefer candid portraiture for it's relaxed, "comfortable" look.

I think most beginners start out with candid portraiture, and they convince themselves that candid photography is more "natural" looking than posed.

WRONG.

Most amateurs wouldn't know how to pose a person if their life depended upon it. Benji does.

In my opinion, most portraiture worth keeping are from posed photographs. It's important that subjects look relaxed and natural in their poses, but it's NOT important that the photographs pretend to be "candids."

[neuromancer]

good to hear that!

[JDArt]

Wonderful shot.

[swampthing1117]

Originally Posted by AlbertP

I think most beginners start out with candid portraiture, and they convince themselves that candid photography is more "natural" looking than posed.

WRONG.

Most amateurs wouldn't know how to pose a person if their life depended upon it. Benji does.

In my opinion, most portraiture worth keeping are from posed photographs. It's important that subjects look relaxed and natural in their poses, but it's NOT important that the photographs pretend to be "candids."

I think that's an INCREDIBLY short sighted and elitist opinion. It's 2 completely different styles and one isn't better or worse than the other, they are just different. Trying to get a good flattering and interesting candid shot isn't all that easy. You might wanna tell some of the paid high end pro's that do candid shots that they are amateurs, i'm sure they'd love to hear your opinion on that.

The simple fact is, some people PREFER candid over posed and vice versa. Being able to do BOTH and not looking down your nose at one or the other makes you a good photographer who will succeed in business. Pigeon holing yourself to one traditional style is a recipe for failure.

Personally, i find stiff posed shots to be extremely dull and fake looking, but i'll do them if people want them. I tell ya though, a well done candid shot gets way more attention than a posed shot that everyones seen a million times before.

[luckystar]

I agree with you Scott! Thanks for great information Benji.

[brice]

Originally Posted by Benji

Cap,

The technique is named the 1-2-3 technique. I use the 1-3-2 on females only. For more information click here. http://www.photocamel.com/index.php?topic=15099.0

Benji

Here's the correct link to Benji's Tut on 1-3-2

Benji teaches sound fundamentals that are building block upon we can learn. Karma to the cop! I, as one of many, appreciate your efforts Benji.

[D.Rodgers]

Seems to be a bit of controversy here maybe some fresh input might help.
Benji has posted a great example of prop use on a classic portrait pose .
These shouldn't confused with contemporary posing.
When you have a client that comes to you for a portrait that they want in a classic style with a twist , I wouldn't hesitate to use this pose and technique.
Try to use your imagination and change this into a painting defiantly something I would want hanging on my wall of my daughter .
Good job Benji and thanks for the tut.

[phototakeouter]

Originally Posted by AlbertP

In my opinion, most portraiture worth keeping are from posed photographs.

You should see some of the photos my grandparents and older family considered/consider their most treasured possessions.

Or you should see the only photo we have of my grandmother who died unexpectedly 15 years ago.

Or you should have been there when my fiancee got all teary eyed seeing my baby pictures for the first time. (I had major surgery as a baby and the pre-surgery photos weren't exactly happy scenes.)

I guarantee you, not a single one was posed. Should we throw them all out? Or maybe we should hire you to come retake them formally pos... oh, nevermind, they haven't invented the time travel machine yet have they.

In my opinion, most portraiture worth keeping are the ones that bring back the really important memories.

[phototakeouter]

Originally Posted by brice

Here's the correct link to Benji's Tut on 1-3-2

It all makes sense now. Thanks Benji for continuing to share your experience. I only discovered your tutorials recently.

And thanks brice for the correct link.

[fastpitch17]

I appreciate Benji's teachings here. One must remember that is is always tought that you must learn the rules of photography and then go and break them. You can't break them until you learn them. Benji has deminstrated that he has over the years learned the rules and it is totally up to him if he elects to break them and how. He has earned that place.

You can either love or hate his work. Find the expertise or the flaws. That is your perogitive. What you can't do is question his knowlege, creativity, or experience.

So many read something somewhere and then go try it. Benji has the ability to bring it from expereince and use it. The majority here can only hope to acheive some of that ability.

Thanks Benji. Keep up the lessons for those of us that appreciate them.