CLASSICAL PORTRAITURE? SECTION???

Waht do y'all think about CLASSIC PORTRAITURE? OK, I know this is the "People and Portrat" section. I love photographing people and in fact, I do quite a bit of that for a living- for a lot of years. I shot news, weddigs, some fashion, a bit of street work fun, and even my industrial work, I shoot not only the machinery by the folk who operate the machines.

The big " however" HERE is that classic portraiture is my "first love" in professional photograhy. That and wedding photography was my entry-level into the business and although nowadas, my work is mainly in the industrial commercial fields, I still offer portrat and family events services as well as executive and institutional portraiture.

Do any of you think that a separate section, here on the new forum, should be devoted to classic, advanced, fine, or whatever you want to call it PORTRAITURE? I am not talking about, heaven forbid "STIFF" or "STODGY" images but what I like to call CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC PORTRAITURE. Now, you don't have to be or become a professional, open a studio, or buy tons of gear but the list of concepts, ideas, techniques, styles, variations, and methodologies are so numerous that they woud gobble up all the bandwidth on this site. Just a few- "departments" are light, facial anaylisis, posing and body mechanics, composition, cosmetics, and aesthetics, optics, character studies, groups, indoor/outdoor background management, sharpness/softness, lighting ratios, light forms, equipmet, post-process tips, retouching, eye contact, view of the face, psychology of portraiture, expressions, ...I can go on ad infinitum and all of the above probably have a dozen different subsections. And...so many of these topics can be applied to other kinds of work. I'd bet that even if you shoot nothing but birds and bugs if you get into some of this stuff, you will get better texture in the feathers and whatever bugs are made of.

I have a lot of information, images, diagrams, literature, technobabble, and straight talk I would love to share, and woud gladly volunteer to help maintain such sections, that is if folks are interested. I have participated in a few forums over the decades and I find this particular subject is oftentimes negated, neglected, or considered passé!

Yup, I know there is a STUDIO and LIGHTING section but I feel this subject deserves its own section. So, WADDYTHINK?

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So sorry about that, Sir!

I am not new to photo forums, however, I am not a teenager who posts on Facebook or Tick-Tock, so I might not be up to date on the ridiculous protocols folks have invented. In the olden days, these upper-case fonts were used for emphasis, not shouting. .I never should att folks- I prefer to maintain good manners.

I do not see how my post is off-topic- it has to do with peopl and portrats and I am just asking a question about the mebership and offering my help. I have posted on the old DPR for many years with no issues, no arguments, and no admonishments. I am new to this forum and am not yet totally familiar with typographic functions such as BOLD or underlined fonts or words.

"Dinosaur"- Is that some kind of ageism?

Here is my suggestion. Since you are a team member, if I have violated any rules or posted inappropriately, feel free to remove my post and/or cancel my subscription.

PS Off-topic is hyphenated, it is not a word! 😒

Hey Ed, i dont mind your shouting ;)
I am with you, lets try n make this place more than just Dannolefttheforums ranting about others who dont get his definition on exposure.

Here i go

Hi Marc!

Thank you for your response.

Sadly, I think I have had my fill of online photo forums. Too much combative attitudes and nit-picking. Debate is heath but prolonged and protracted arguments are counterproductive. On the old DPo forum, I restrict my participation to the Studio and Lighting and the Pro-Digital sections. There was/is a nice cre thee and folks were concise and helpful.

I am not against deep dives into the theoretical, technological, and scientific aspects of photography. In my practical day-to-day professional work in photography andmy personal "fun" aspects of the craft, however, I am a "nut and bolts" kinda guy If I can contribute anything valuable to this or other sections it will be tips and advice on how to get things done with the equipment they have in the most simple and expeditious way. Many folks resent "rules" in artistic endeavors but there are some principles and starting points that work and then allow folks to use their creativity without endlessly fiddling with their gear.

People and Portraits? Getting spontaneous expression and authentic likeness is lkie shooting a high-speed sport. Expression and that "look in their eyes" can be fleeting. You have to communicate, somets direct, and shoot with split-second timing. If you are overly concerned with the structure of your "bokeh" blobs or the optical formula of your lens or have to run out and buy a newone, you will miss the crucial shots.

For now, I'll just hang in for a while and see if there's any interest in this and possibly approach the admin with some ideas. The people that constructed this forum did a masterful job of designing the site, tweaking its functionality, and getting in online in record time. It would be regretful if it does not flourish wit ribust participation and good spirits.

So, here is my "selfie" - now you gotta admit, that. THHAT face can stop the Atomic Clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington D.C .and make it run backward!

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Were these all shot by the same person ? If not, who did shoot them ?

Don

Good day, and thanks for your question!

All the shots. like'em or hate 'em are by ME! I would NEVER post anyone else's work and represent it as my own nor do I put any portrat images online without the clients' permission. I have a clause in my contracts whereby I have permission to use their images for display and teaching purposes. If the object is to that for any reason, I strike that provision out and will respect their privacy and wishes.

At my studio, I offer many different styles and services. Portrats can be formal, casual, studio, out-of-doors, low or high key, framed in opulent or rustic molding or stretched on canvas, or flush mounted on a variety of materials. I photograph adults, kids, babies pets, executives, musicians, professionals, and regular folk who just want a memorable family portrait or somethg for a special occasion.

If you would like me to discuss the techniques used in any of these or future images, it will be my pleasure.

Well I'm a bird and motorsports shooter and I just love these. Excellent use of lighting as well. Very clever work!

Like yourself im struggling to fit in on this new forum site, whats happened to photography techniques being discussed.
Im looking forward to an interesting studio shoot tomorrow, a female dancer and a male acrobat to upgrade the portfolios.
just a few images.

Lovely work Don! Excellent theatrical style and quality!

One of the really "cool" things about doing portraiture is we get to meet some very interesting and talented folks. The young lady in the attached image called me on the phone and said she needed a publicity shot with her "fiddle". It turned out she is a well-accomplished classical musician. She told me wanted a smiling approachable shot not oneof these "serious introverted images of so-called "log-hair players. Here's the fun part- when came into the studio, she took her violin out of its case and sat down on a simple posing stool. Then she headed me her "fiddle" and said, can you hold this, I just want to get my hair out of my eyes". During the shoot, she said that her fiddle is a Stradivarius made in 1725 worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Good thing she didn't tell me that as I was holding it! At Timws, she cuddled it like a baby and spoke of her sheer joy of having and playing such an instrument. After the session, I asked her to play somethg for me. She played some "Csárdás" by Monit- a piece that my Russian-born grandfather played on his fiddle! But with incredible expression and virtuosity. I will never forget that experience! A nice day at the office!

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I don't care either way about the classical portraiture but I'll toss out a big Amen - on this post.