Getting Great People Pictures
If you're like many photographers, you take more pictures of people than anything else. Maybe you bring out the camera because you want to remember your daughter or best friend just as they are right now. Or you might be celebrating a special occasion, and want to mark the moment by recording the people around you. The way you feel about someone might also inspire you to make him the subject of a photograph.
Planning the Shot
In each of these situations, you could simply take a couple of quick snapshots and be done with it, but you'll end up with a much better picture if you spend a little time thinking about what you'd like it to say about the subject. For example, if it is a birthday, be sure to include a cake or presents, etc. When you include clues to what is going on in the photo, you anchor it firmly to the place, time, and occasion.
Although most pets aren't very good at sitting still and probably won't follow your directions, many of the people-handling techniques discussed in this chapter will work equally well when taking pictures of Fido and Fluffy. A squeaky toy is not a bad idea, either.
Only a Snapshot
There's nothing wrong with snapshots. Frankly, they're sometimes the only way to get a picture on the run or to photograph a subject who's less than cooperative. But people pictures are always better when the photographer builds some rapport with subjects and puts them at ease. This holds true regardless of the setting, whether it's indoors or out, formal or informal, although your considerations will differ a little depending on the setting.
