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Tips for Photographing Elderly Subjects
I know that many photographers who work in portraiture love to work with older
models. Why, you ask. Well there is something to be said for the face of a
person who has lived a lifetime. I know that others see age, wrinkles, and a
challenge. But it is a challenge worth doing. If you can convince an elder to
pose and pull of some beautiful shots you will be amazed. I’ve seen some really
beautiful shots of even very elderly adults and the images were just beautiful.
It seemed like in one shot you could see the entire lifetime of love, sadness,
joy, and sorrow all wrapped up in that one image.
1. It helps if you have a subject willing to pose. If they are willing they are
probably not as self conscious as someone who is unwilling.
2. Compliments, even if your subject is willing a
few sincere compliments never hurt anyone. And I don’t mean stupid compliments
like, “Wow you look good for your age.” Honestly you shouldn’t say that to
anyone. Any good compliment will do. “Lovely shirt.” or “I love your eye color
who in your family has those eyes.”
3. Talk to them, related to the latter compliment
everyone loves to talk about their family. Get them to relax by talking about
their families. Not only to they let their hair down but you may get some
wonderful expressions on their faces as they talk about their family.
4. Warm lighting. Sunset, natural light is always
best of course but candlelight is wonderful too.
5. Soft, soft, and soft light. Everyone benefits
from this and there are numerous ways to achieve it. A north facing window, an
umbrella light, bounce your light off of the ceiling, and there are even
diffusers that attach to your camera flash.
6. Filters. I know photographers who swear by
them but with today’s computers I don’t know if the different softening filters,
for the front of your camera, are worth it anymore. For one you need different
degrees of filters and you need to try each one to see which one will work the
best. Sometimes they tend to blur the image more than soften. If you work in
digital you can spot soften on the computer. Keep in mind to that with filters
you can undo the image. At least in the computer you can undo and go back to the
original image. (I’ve used them in the past and I honestly never liked them. I
was happy when I could do the softening on my computer.)
7. Last, don’t erase all those years off of your
subjects face. Modern technology isn’t for undoing time but for enhancing
everyone’s natural beauty. You want your subject too look at the photo,
recognize themselves, but see their own image in a new soft, warm, and beautiful
light.
I think that older faces are just as wonderful to photograph as the youngest.
It’s all a matter of capturing that inner beauty
Copyright 2007 Kelly Paal
Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting
nationally and internationally. She started her own business Kelly Paal
Photography. She has an educational background in photography, business, and
commercial art. Please visit www.kellypaalphotography.com for more FREE how to
articles.
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