 Jordan Vallance |
Decrease Wrinkles I've been asked by a close family friend to take a a family portrait. I've taken photos of the mum before and she hasn't been pleased as she feels that photos make her look old due to the wrinkles on her face and bags under her eyes. Are there any techniques I can use so that the whole family is happy? Any help is much appreciated.
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W. |
Hi Jordan, the visibility of wrinkles is much greater if there are shadows of them. So minimize the visibility of wrinkles by reducing shadows amap. Inside you can do that by 1) using as large as possible light diffusers (instead of point-shaped light sources), 2) equally powerful light from both left and right, and if possible from the top too (bounce via ceiling?), and (a) large (D-I-Y) reflector(s) under the camera to fill shadows from the bottom/front. Outside you can do that by shooting your subject(s) in open shade (NO direct sunlight striking your subject(s), and also filling remaining shadows amap with (a) large (D-I-Y) reflector(s) just outside the frame. Experiment with this set up before the big day "to get the wrinkles out" of your technique before you go "live". Have fun!
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Anonymous |
Just tell here thats what happens. Women get wrinkles and look like old hags, men get wrinkles and look sexier.
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Mark Feldstein |
This is one of those rare times when I disagree with VIII and I'll briefly explain. I think, Jordan, this is where the psychology of being a portrait shooter becomes significant. I would never try to cover or disguise facial wrinkles. Rather, I would incorporate them into the shot as a portrait that reflects age = wisdom = character and experience = respect and admiration. To do that, you need to have a dialogue with your subject. If you're shooting them individually, get everyone else out of the studio or away from where you're working. If they're seated, sit down at the same height and TALK to them. Maybe apply a bit of make-up under the eyes to get rid of dark circles and an eyebrow pencil to accent those a bit, add some color to the cheeks if you're working in color or something to add a bit of contrast for black and white. Also some face powder to get rid of reflection if necessary. That's all. The key is getting them to relax and thus being less self-conscience. Kid around with them, talk to them about their life experiences, ENGAGE them in a meaningful conversation and shoot while you do that paying little, if any, attention to your equipment but make your subject the focus of your attention. Study the b&w portraiture work of guys like Arnold Newman, Philipe Halsman, in black and white, Bill Allard, and even take a look at the stuff on my website (not the gallery here). All of those older folks I photographed were done under their protest initially, with a minimal amount of make-up, a single 1000 w/s monolight in a softbox, and one fill panel. I've never, ever used a softar filter in my life. I wouldn't recommend it. The trick to shooting portraits of elderly folks, which is a wonderful experience in itself, is conversation and getting them past self-consciousness. If you can do that, you'll create some wonderful, enduring work.
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W. |
Ermmm... I didn't say she SHOULD decrease wrinkles in the elderly lady's face, Mark, only how she COULD do it. Because that's what she asked. Mine was a technical answer. Personally, I LIKE wrinkles! They give character to a face. Life! I've even been known to make them extra visible (e.g. with side lighting) to enhance the atmosphere of the image.
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W. |
And it's "aesthetical" of course. My mistake.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Save the "wrinkles add character" for women who admit they're old. Anytime a woman says something makes her look old, the "character" stuff is going to make her mad. Soft light, make-up, and photoshop.
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