https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/my-battle-with-postnatal-depression-20180412-p4z95n.html
A few months ago I was asked to shoot some shots on location for a rather serious article on Post Natal Depression. I wanted to make sure the images had a certain presence and quality as they were going to print and web with one of the largest media groups in the country. I knew the location was a little tricky as it was to be shot at the author's home. So I packed a 50mm prime - I knew I wanted to shoot a little wide - and my 70 - 300L in case that wasn't the case. I also packed a Canon 580 EX2 with a 10m ETTL cable for fill, and a reflector, because why not.
We tried a few locations around the place, including the neighbors yard, and we got some good shots in between the two little girls cries of pain from the pure boredom of it all. Having a daughter the same age who gets bored after perhaps 20 seconds of any activity, I understood their protests, but undertanding something and resolving the issue are two different things.
We'd taken some good shots, but I knew they weren't the ones. That alarm bell was ringing in my head "You need something more for this!!". I once spent 2 years documenting under 5 year olds for kids after school and holiday classes. I'd forgotten though what that had taught me - shoot fast, ask questions later, move a lot when you're in close. The trick with this job, purely, was getting everyone looking and smiling at the same time - and that may not sound as difficult as it almost always is, and was.
In short, don't stay still, if you're shooting in the studio or on location and you're subject is human, give them something to watch, make them look at the lens. Sometimes it pays off.
The solution, as seen above, was the 50mm, and me in close, moving around and giving the girls something to watch, all whilst explaining to Brigid to just keep that face and we'll get this. The 580Ex was off to the left of shot, on manual, with no mod, just pushing a little light onto that side, and while it's not a Prophoto B1X - which I've used on locations, it certainly did a great job, and i was happy with it. I did take the reflector out and unfold it, because I do like to 'look profesional' :)
Brigid was by all accounts quite happy with the shots! So, I guess that's a job well done.
On the topic of moving and shooting kids (with a camera!), here's a classic shot of one of my lovely family members, I'm running backwards asking her to chase me, again with the 50mm. This was shot in 2015 on a Canon 5D mk2. I'm using the 5D mk4 now. I'll write a long blog on my year in the studio and out about with that guy, soon.
In short, don't stay still, if you're shooting in the studio or on location and you're subject is human, give them something to watch, make them look at the lens. Sometimes it pays off.
Be well!
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