Great article. For a time I was taking portraits of people while I walked in a particular city. I did struggle with this idea of getting a great portrait. How to ask someone to take their photograph! I remember this guy who fixed espresso machines. He always had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. I thought he was a perfect subject for my portrait. When I asked him to take his photograph he said “Why would anyone want to take a photograph of me?” It was a great photograph.
Thanks for the questions, Naomi! Yes occassionally I snap a candid portrait, but always with the intention to talk to the person right after and also take a non-candid one. And never of anyone in a vulnerable position. And yes I do digital post processing on both analog and digital shots, though these days I work so intensively with my amazing lab Carmencita that I rarely have to do any real post processing. Maybe a crop now and then, or a slight tweak of contrast, or flipping a color image to black and white. Barely have to touch them these days.
Wonderful article and images. As a viewer I can feel a connection with the subjects, which is the key to a successful portrait.
As a fellow introvert that conducted a 100 Strangers portrait series around 10 years ago, I feel every word you wrote. Not all the images were successful, but all the experiences were valuable to me, even years later as I try to make a living as a photographer.
It was truly transformative for me. I entered into it with no expectations aside from improving my people skills, and I ended up with so much more. One subject asked me to use one of the portraits for a book cover, and selected images were collected for a solo gallery show! This gave me the excellent opportunity and honor to give a talk at the exhibition opening, and again about halfway through the exhibition period.
The lesson I learned, in addition to the people skills I developed and improved, is that personal projects are essential for all photographers.
Maybe something about street photography on a gray/gloomy/rainy day? (Not sure if you've already written about that)
I recently had a conversation with my mother (I inherited my camera from her father) about how I was sad there wasn't any good light lately, and she remarked "so you only ever take good weather pictures?" (in het Nederlands heeft dat trouwens nog een interessante emotionele dubbele laag, de veronderstelling dat ik alleen "goedweer plaatjes" zou maken)
Unfortunately, I also complained about the gray weather and poor light. I tried to see it as a challenge, but the results were not that good. I think I need to practice more. Tips on how to handle this would be great. I want beautiful sunny days!
Good article. My current project is the hardest thing I've ever done but also the most rewarding and has genuinely changed my life for the better. The feeling after meeting someone new and getting a great portrait is fantastic. Tomorrow I'll shoot number 176. Probably.
Great article, and something I've been learning myself lately. It really is a rewarding process to meet people this way.
I've always wondered though, what is the process like for these more profound, serious portraits of people on the street? Most times when I photograph someone they want to smile, but most really great street or documentary portraits I see they're not smiling. Do you tell them to not smile? Is there something you say to move them beyond the impulse to grin when they see the camera? I've always thought it strange to just tell people not to smile, but maybe that's all it is.
I always enjoy your writing & seeing your photography! When you are creating these street portraits, do you consider the light & background before stopping someone? Do you skip it if either of those things aren’t working? Thanks for sharing your work & your knowledge!
Great article Wesley. I found this newsletter after admiring your street portraits so I always love reading about that subject. I think an interesting idea for a future issue might be one about past projects that didn’t quite work out or materialize into a finished product (if you’ve had any!) You could discuss lessons learned, why the project didn’t end up working, if the project ended up evolving into something else, stuff like that.
Thank you for sharing, I'm also an introvert photographer but I would like to do street portraits. I like portraits but in a situation where I am under control, I will try to follow your tips. Great pictures!
Would love to see a Process letter about letting go of perfection and putting your photo work out into the world, not letting your audiences opinion affect your work and hold on to your true creative self.
Cheers—this was a great read. I'm a long-time introvert turned street portraitist. I got into it because I somehow felt even more self-aware shooting candid street scenes. That, and the topography of Baltimore doesn't lend itself to conventional street work.
I learned early on that the easiest way to get out of my own headspace was to interrogate what it was that drew me to a person, and then tell them that. "I like the way your hair looks in this light," or "Oh I like you're shirt." Those were good jumping off points to a photo.
I still go into each encounter with my heart racing a mile a minute... but I find the ability to notice and share my observations directly helps me land more pictures than not!
Great article. For a time I was taking portraits of people while I walked in a particular city. I did struggle with this idea of getting a great portrait. How to ask someone to take their photograph! I remember this guy who fixed espresso machines. He always had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. I thought he was a perfect subject for my portrait. When I asked him to take his photograph he said “Why would anyone want to take a photograph of me?” It was a great photograph.
Glad you took it :)
Wow, loved Audrey's picture and vibe!
She has a wonderful energy full of soulful kindness!
Do you ever snap a candid portrait before you ask permission?
Also, since you are using film, do you do digital post processing?
Thanks for the questions, Naomi! Yes occassionally I snap a candid portrait, but always with the intention to talk to the person right after and also take a non-candid one. And never of anyone in a vulnerable position. And yes I do digital post processing on both analog and digital shots, though these days I work so intensively with my amazing lab Carmencita that I rarely have to do any real post processing. Maybe a crop now and then, or a slight tweak of contrast, or flipping a color image to black and white. Barely have to touch them these days.
Great tips Wesley. Like these portraits. They breathe comfort and trust.
For a next topic, I'd like to know how you ensure cohesion in your projects.
Ooh excellent idea, thanks Marcel!
Wonderful article and images. As a viewer I can feel a connection with the subjects, which is the key to a successful portrait.
As a fellow introvert that conducted a 100 Strangers portrait series around 10 years ago, I feel every word you wrote. Not all the images were successful, but all the experiences were valuable to me, even years later as I try to make a living as a photographer.
Thank you! And that sounds like a great project :)
It was truly transformative for me. I entered into it with no expectations aside from improving my people skills, and I ended up with so much more. One subject asked me to use one of the portraits for a book cover, and selected images were collected for a solo gallery show! This gave me the excellent opportunity and honor to give a talk at the exhibition opening, and again about halfway through the exhibition period.
The lesson I learned, in addition to the people skills I developed and improved, is that personal projects are essential for all photographers.
Good ideas here. Dankuwel!
You’re very welcome :)
Maybe something about street photography on a gray/gloomy/rainy day? (Not sure if you've already written about that)
I recently had a conversation with my mother (I inherited my camera from her father) about how I was sad there wasn't any good light lately, and she remarked "so you only ever take good weather pictures?" (in het Nederlands heeft dat trouwens nog een interessante emotionele dubbele laag, de veronderstelling dat ik alleen "goedweer plaatjes" zou maken)
Dat is inderdaad een leuke woordspeling.
Unfortunately, I also complained about the gray weather and poor light. I tried to see it as a challenge, but the results were not that good. I think I need to practice more. Tips on how to handle this would be great. I want beautiful sunny days!
I relate! I was spoiled living in NYC and SF for the biggest part of my life and I struggle with the greys here. I will think on it!
That would be great. Any help would be appreciated !
Haha dat is idd een leuke woordspeling
Good article. My current project is the hardest thing I've ever done but also the most rewarding and has genuinely changed my life for the better. The feeling after meeting someone new and getting a great portrait is fantastic. Tomorrow I'll shoot number 176. Probably.
wonderful to hear tim!
Amazing article! Thank you.
Great article, and something I've been learning myself lately. It really is a rewarding process to meet people this way.
I've always wondered though, what is the process like for these more profound, serious portraits of people on the street? Most times when I photograph someone they want to smile, but most really great street or documentary portraits I see they're not smiling. Do you tell them to not smile? Is there something you say to move them beyond the impulse to grin when they see the camera? I've always thought it strange to just tell people not to smile, but maybe that's all it is.
I may tell them, or maybe I'll say just the way you were before
I just ask them to be themselves, if they're naturally smiley then great, if not then also great.
I always enjoy your writing & seeing your photography! When you are creating these street portraits, do you consider the light & background before stopping someone? Do you skip it if either of those things aren’t working? Thanks for sharing your work & your knowledge!
Thank you Allison! The light definitely plays a part but I don't consider the background before stopping people. I do once I start photographing them.
Great article Wesley. I found this newsletter after admiring your street portraits so I always love reading about that subject. I think an interesting idea for a future issue might be one about past projects that didn’t quite work out or materialize into a finished product (if you’ve had any!) You could discuss lessons learned, why the project didn’t end up working, if the project ended up evolving into something else, stuff like that.
ooh good idea, thank you for sharing blake!
Thank you for sharing, I'm also an introvert photographer but I would like to do street portraits. I like portraits but in a situation where I am under control, I will try to follow your tips. Great pictures!
Thank you Flavio!
Lovely article Wesley!
Would love to see a Process letter about letting go of perfection and putting your photo work out into the world, not letting your audiences opinion affect your work and hold on to your true creative self.
Ok that simple and emotionally chill stuff you mean? ;) jk that's a big one! noted! i like the idea of diving into this
Great post, Wesley! The photos of John and Audrey from Austin are pure magic.
thanks so much Alex! I appreciate your kind words!
Cheers—this was a great read. I'm a long-time introvert turned street portraitist. I got into it because I somehow felt even more self-aware shooting candid street scenes. That, and the topography of Baltimore doesn't lend itself to conventional street work.
I learned early on that the easiest way to get out of my own headspace was to interrogate what it was that drew me to a person, and then tell them that. "I like the way your hair looks in this light," or "Oh I like you're shirt." Those were good jumping off points to a photo.
I still go into each encounter with my heart racing a mile a minute... but I find the ability to notice and share my observations directly helps me land more pictures than not!
Love everything you just wrote, and relate!