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Catching memories

Stephan Forstmann

Photographer from Germany

 

 


 

 

Catching memories – a guide for authentic photography

Did you ever ask yourself which photographs are the most valuable ones for friends, family or clients?
   I guess nobody will say that it's an image with an iconic landscape or a super posed wedding photograph where everyone is looking nice.

 

The most valuable photographs are those, which transport emotions and will set the viewer back into that moment again. Such a moment will engage your empathy and is creating a feeling inside you. It's a photograph that you will look at again and again… a keeper!

I shoot weddings since 2014 and the one thing that I never liked is that at most weddings everything is kind of staged and about perfection. Even if everybody want's them to be perfect - no wedding is perfect, no human being is perfect, even life ain't perfect.   I'm glad that all of my customers want authentic photographs and they love images with true moments.

 

In todays article I'd like to show you how to get those photographs onto your camera sensor.

I will show you some rules and how you should act around your customers or subjects. You can adapt these techniques for any kind of documentary photography and I am sure that these rules will provide you and your clients with great results.

 

 

 

Rule #1   It's about them – not about you



 

This might be the most essential rule, and we photographers often tend to forget that . When I pick up my camera I am an other person. I am more confident, I know that everyone will look at me and follow my instructions – or at least wait for instructions. Always be aware, that the subject in front of the camera is the important one. Not the one behind it. 

 

No one can be themself, if the photographer performes a one-man-show and acts like a diva. And yes – I have seen such situations.   So always be aware that you are performing a service and that you always need to go that extra mile to get authentic images. 

 

 

 

 


Eg. if you do a couples shooting session, let them know, that they can do what ever they want and that they shall look at each other, not the camera -that they should have fun and see the session as a perfect moment of spending time together. It's their quality-time. I also tell my couples, that I only will give them minimal instructions   („Please move over there – lighting is much better in that spot“) and that I won't pose them in any awkward positions. I let them be theirselves and so should you.

 

Tell them that they should not worry if they blink or talk and just act naturally. Most couples will forget that there is a camera pointed at them within the first ten minutes.



 

Rule #2  Get to know and like each other

 


  Most people tend to be intimidated when you point a camera at them. Especially when they don't know you. Always try to get to know your subject and let the subject get to know you, too. Chemistry between people is really one of the most important things in photography. If your subject doesn't like you or you don't like your subject, it will be way   harder to get the photographs you want. 

 

This part is really hard for photographers who run a business and can't reject couples that „don't fit“ because they have to pay bills. I always insist on meeting a person I am going to shoot first.

Talk to your subject. It will help them to get more comfortable when you are there, armed with a camera. Any smalltalk and joking is good but please don't be that photographer who will run a one-man standup-comedy-show (remember rule number one?).




Rule #3   Dont'interfere in situations

 


That rule is the most hard one to get by as a photographer, as we tend to reposition people or stuff in rooms a lot.

 

If you want it to be authentic, let it be authentic. Don't move furniture around – just work with it.

As i would never interfere with a wedding ceremony (would you?), I don't tidy up rooms if I shoot getting readys. I've had rooms with clothes lying on the ground –   another bride ordered french fries, which ended up standing on a desk. All that situations are perfect for authentic moments. I'm sure that these two brides will have some flashbacks into these situations when they look at these photographs.

 

 

 

 

Rule #4  Get close but be stealthy like a ninja

 


 

When your subjects are familiar with you and there is no emotional barrier between you (rule number two) they automatically will allow you to get really close to them.

Why close? Well you could always use a telephoto lens but you will never get the look and the emotions on camera as if you are at close distance with them in that moment. I tend to stay very close when I take documentary photographs. I mainly use a 35mm or 50mm lens.

Being close will trigger your own empathy and will help you notice important scenery better. And yes, I've had moments when I had tears in my eyes at a wedding and thought „what a wonderful instant this is.“

When you are close to your subjects, use the silent mode of your camera, use a small lens and try to be overseen by the people. Always be friendly, don't get hectic or move too fast. 

 

 

 

 


But don't be like glue! Know when it's time to stay back and never, really never be obtrusive in any way!

 

Also, never use flash when you are close – since not only it will be quite obtrusive, but it will give total awareness to everybody that you are close.

The ultimate goal is that people will say: “When did you take that picture? I didn't even notice that you were there!“

 


 

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to shoot easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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