I’m not in many of our family vacation shots. Not because I’m not there, but because I’m usually the one behind the camera.
It is a new day for photography, not because of digital photographs, but because of the new perspective. The photographer has come from behind the camera to join the fun.
Teenagers have changed the way photography looks and feels: kids get better tight shots of faces; with Photobucket and other Web sites they are experimenting with black and white, distortion, colorization and other photo effects; and they are quick to post their shots on some social networking platform. However look at typical newsletters and other publications and you’ll see the same old dull, lifeless shots.
Kids seem to instinctively know good photography as well: I’ve yet to hear my 13-year-old daughter say, “here, get up next to that wall and smile.” That gives a harsh shadow and a staged look. Instead she would grab the people and squeeze her head next to them giving a warm, impromptu feel and look.
This approach provides good lessons for photography and general publications:
- Get close to your subject
- Let your personality show in the photo and publication
- Don’t push people up against a wall, show them in action
- Get more personal
- Show a new angle on the same old shots and stories
Kids are changing photography, and the way we see all our publications.
Great blog Mark. (first time I’ve ever typed that to anyone, btw) Concise, entertaining and useful insight. Found it through your Linked In account.