Humanizing The Photo Taking Process

Over the last couple of months, I have been noticing a disturbing trend with the Hong Kong government. They are issuing and renewing less work visas for foreign talent. For that reason, many expats here with soon-to-be expiring visas are forced to leave. And as for those foreign talent wanting to return, the prohibitively restrictive quarantine requirement here in Hong Kong has made it virtually impossible for any home coming. Because of that, I am actually experiencing some difficulties finding people to photograph for this dog and pony show.

Of course, I could always turn to the local talent. After all, it is not as if there are no local models in Hong Kong. Well, long story short, I have knocked on that door. Believe me, I really have. Repeatedly! And to date, none of them have expressed any interest in being a part of this dog and pony show. That said, I am sure if I expanded my search criteria, I will find someone out there willing to accompany me on my photowalks. But then, there is that pesky issue of my personal biases. Yes, I am a picky person. So, you can understand the pickle I am in.

Plus, there is also the problem of real life throwing a monkey wrench into the mix. Those who are here that can help can only help sparingly. Some have moved further afield. Some have changed career paths. So, it comes as no surprise that my customary last minute ad hoc approach to arranging photowalks has not been working out all that well. Then there is also the matter of my own increasingly restrictive schedule in finding the time to actually go out on photowalks. It is no wonder that this blog has become a revolving door for many new faces.

Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 50mm Focal Length. Yes, slightly out of focus because I couldn’t see without my glasses. Same with the title image 😭

Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 50mm Focal Length

I suppose for many photographers, the prospect of photographing fresh new faces can be regarded as fun. In fact, it might even be viewed as invigorating. But for a reclusive person like me, it is just work. I mean, I have to develop a rapport with someone new again - not that there is anything inherently wrong or annoying with that. That said, it is still work. So on top of the task of taking photos that optimally combines the foreground subject with the background and the environmental conditions, one must also bolster the subject’s level of comfort.

Without having actually met before, how else is my subject to gauge my initiative? My intent? It is not as if my legitimacy has been established from any past collaborative experience. Seriously, all I can show to assuage any doubt is the body of work found on this obscure dog and pony show exhibiting other willing participants. Even with a seemingly credible online presence, there is no telling whether I am a weirdo, a maniac, or a hack. Because of that, it is absolutely essential to make a first good impression, right from the moment I say hello.

Before I take my first photo, I begin by humanizing myself and acquainting my subject with what I intend to do. In between the introduction and familiarization, idle chit chat is involved. That means you need some listening skills. I mean, how else would you know if your subject is comfortable enough to accept your subject direction freely without skepticism? In that way, conversation is a crucial part of the photo taking process. It fosters trust in your subject. Without trust, your subject’s discomfort will manifest itself as rigidity in expression and pose.

Of course, practical concerns often throw idle chit chat under the bus. Often, when ambitious photographers get the chance to work with new people, they dwell too much on optimizing the photo opportunity. Strangely, they seldom stop to smell the roses - or rather - refrain from working the subject right away to get to know the subject better. In my opinion, that is an oversight. For the sake of hitting some quantifiable objective in a now-or-never mindset, a photographer misses-out on capturing the essence of a subject, which really is the point.

In doing so, many photographers tend to forget that their subjects are people too. Not surprisingly, they fail to realize that it takes a leap of faith for people to grant us their permission to be photographed. As a result, their photos become static. It is just a face and a body. And, it makes complete sense. Logically, how could a photo have any sense of dynamism, beyond just a face and body, when life hasn't been drawn-out from the subject? This is the reason why your subject can end up looking as contrived and unnatural as a stiff cardboard cutout.

If you do not treat your subject as a person, your oversight will show in your photos. Because of that, there are innumerable photos out there of people looking very awkward. Think about your typical high school yearbook headshot, wedding photo, or glamor pinup. Many look ridiculous. One can only assume that the photographer made no real effort to know the subject better in advance of hitting that quantifiable objective. But to be fair to the accused, many of these photos have very awkward looking people because of other contributing factors.

Time constraint can be an issue. So could technical issues, like using the wrong gear. Or over-production that is characteristic of too much primping and preening. Or even a lack of skill. But, the oversight of not getting to know your subject better is usually the cause of those innumerable photos of awkward looking people. Given that, it makes no sense not to spend some time for a little pre-shoot chit-chat before succumbing to that now-or-never mindset. I mean, if that could facilitate the capture of your subject’s true essence, why not go for it?

Usually, when you get to know your subject and when your subject gets to know you, your photos will become more than just a run-of-the-mill facsimile. This happens because the trust you form from developing a rapport with your subject humanizes the photo taking process. Given that, your subject will no longer be a commodity - a face and body for hitting some quantifiable objective. For that reason, your subject becomes a real person. And in turn, your subject will reciprocate by revealing familiarity and dynamism - the true essence you seek.

Humanizing the photo taking process is what separates the good photographers from everyone else. It is why good photojournalists always immerse themselves in the world of their subjects. After all, this is really the only way these photojournalists can get to know their subjects well enough, so that their subjects can accept them well enough to be themselves when photographed. It is only through such an involved undertaking can these photojournalists capture the underlying essence beyond what is seen on the surface of most average photos.

For my part in trying to humanize the process, capturing that essence is a slow undertaking. Generally, it takes three photowalks for me to peel away the mutual unfamiliarity felt by both myself and my subject. Even on this photowalk, you can see the rigidity of my partner-for-the-day on many photos - despite my best attempt to rid any discomfort about my intent. The first half of this photowalk is filled with instances of awkwardness. Missed focus on my part and uncertainty of subject direction on my partner-for-the-day’s part are both fully evident.

Perhaps, this is why many readers miss my former partners-in-crime. The familiarity captured in those photos were mostly absent from this dog and pony show’s revolving door of many new faces. Of course, if more time were allowed, I am sure the familiarity which many of you miss can be revived. Unfortunately, the visa situation in Hong Kong along with the lack of interest expressed by the local talent is making that goal impossible. Even with my partner-for-the-day, she was only in town for two weeks before having to leave Hong Kong for Europe.

So for the foreseeable future, this revolving door of fresh new faces will mean more work for me. I cannot say I will feel more invigorated or will be having more fun with all the newness. Still, having many new faces do add some measure of variance to this dog and pony show - especially since I no longer have the time or even the inclination to venture further afield to bridge-and-tunnel country, let alone far off places in parts unknown for a change in backdrop. In that way, I guess I can look at the cup half full and embrace the newness of new faces.

Unless you have not guessed already, this post was suppose to be my first impression of the now-not-so-new Leica 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M ASPH II - the Redux Edition. But because of noticeable awkwardness captured in more than a few of photos, I decided to push that off for another day. Besides, I have something better in mind than just a cookie-cutter review.

So yes, this post is a placeholder - albeit one with a purposeful message. Humanize the photo taking process! Do it from the moment you say hello. The extra effort will add dynamism and life to your photos.

Thank you Lenka for accompanying me on this photowalk. Even if you were only available for a couple of days.

Disclaimer

Oct 12 Humanizing The Photo Taking Process

Disclaimer

Oct 12 Humanizing The Photo Taking Process

Oct 15 Leica 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M Heritage vs Original vs 50 Lux

Oct 2 Lessons from the Leica 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M