portrait complexity

I was inspired by watching Victoria Will on this week's Creative Live photography week. Some of her shots did not appeal to me immediately, but they then drew me in to linger & contemplate....just like amazing art that you can stare at for an hour and still find interesting. I found it a new approach that she did not augment the natural light to balance the shadows, rather worked with natural light to augment it with studio lights to provide balance and to create drama and shape to the 'character'. Many of her portraits did not include eye contact, and her working with the model to 'capture' the inner person was exceptional.
My daughter then agreed to sit for a while while I practised (again) off-camera lighting (will I ever nail it first time???), but she was not in the mood to 'pose', so I had to try out some of the shooting styles I had seen on Creative Live while she was goofing around. I think it was good for me to be pushed and consider new approaches.
Brandon Stanton spoke about his Humans of New York blog - http://www.humansofnewyork.com that has 17.9 million facebook fans! He has a great clarity & simplicity to his approach to connecting through photography.

[kali]

much more of a story with a shot like this, her lashes stand out beautifully, makes me think my shot of the day wasn't so bad after all reading your thoughts and learning. !

[Nicole Campbell]

I should have looked at this photo before I went to the lake with Sophie to capture her. She is getting braces tomorrow and I wanted an image of her smile before braces. It was so cold at the lake that we rushed the shots and I am not sure I am going to be happy with any of them. This is a gorgeous photo x

[Lyn Todd]

@nicolecampbell thanks Nic. Wish Sophie all the best - tell her that the first week is a pain, but after that it is a breeze, and the time will pass pretty quickly!

[Nicole Campbell]

@ltodd - thanks, she will have them on for three years.

[Lyn Todd]

@nicolecampbell wow 3 years is a long session but at least they will be off by her prom!

[Nicole Campbell]

@ltodd - we are starting operation super model! She can make us some money once they come off, she will be gorgeous :)

[Jennifer]

Beautiful girl and shot

[Jane Pittenger]

Once again beautiful light...and daughter!

[Karen Mitchell]

This is a stunning shot, the light is perfect!

[katy]

Great light and I love the uncontrived pose!

[Caroline]

I love this portrait of your beautiful daughter, Lyn. And your explanation of Victoria Will's style and how well you've done emulating her work... It's very interesting.