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Do you count down during portraits?


3 years 7 months ago #696538 by MYoung
Personally I try to catch the person off guard and take shots randomly during the portrait time.  However I was talking to a good friend who is complete opposite of me and swears by the classic count down to zero and take the shot.  

I don't know, for me, I think that gives the person time to 'expect' the shot and you get these un nature, not in the moment shots.  3,2,1 click just doesn't work for me. 

Kind of curious what method others are using here.   

Fireaway   
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3 years 7 months ago #696541 by Nikon Shooter
I use both ways, sometimes candid yields better results
other times the count down will.
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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3 years 7 months ago #696561 by Beth Anderson
Now if it a more challenging pose to hold yes, I'll do the old count down.  Or if outdoors and it's super bright out and the subjects are squinting.  Then I'll have them close their eyes and open on "1".... 3-2-1 ::click::
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3 years 7 months ago #696701 by Greg Friedman
I don't, I like the expressions when they don't know when I'm going to take the photo
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3 years 7 months ago #696742 by Sanford
Only with kids or when situation calls for it.  Kids mainly.
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3 years 7 months ago #696744 by CharleyL
I do it both ways as well, but usually I find that the client picks the shots that I didn't count down for. They are more relaxed, and it shows when they don't know exactly when I'll be taking the shot. I sometimes also get into light conversation with them and then shoot when it seems right. Counting sometimes, and then not counting other times, tends to catch them a little off guard too. Many times I can get more natural looks this way. Taking more shots than needed is usually better too, since in the first few shots they are not at all relaxed or natural. A couple of posing changes and a few shots of each is usually just warm-up time. Then the better and more natural looks begin to come out. With digital photography the cost for these wasted shots is just a little time and some "free electrons".

For kids, I also talk to them, sometimes trying to get them to say words like "Froggy" or "Turtle" or "Foxy" and then shoot mostly at the end of their spoken word, but I never tell them to "Smile" or say "Cheese", as these words don't usually get the natural looks that I'm after. Using words other than "Smile" or "Cheese" or "Foxy" usually catches them by surprise and gets them to relax some, since many times in their life somebody has already said "Smile" and "Cheese" to them when taking a photo. Getting them to laugh sometimes helps too, as it also gets them to relax more. 

Charley
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3 years 7 months ago #696837 by EOS Man
No, most of the time I just take the shots while making conversation with them.
5D Mark II | 50mm f/1.4 EX | 24-70mm f/2.8L | 70-200mm f/2.8L | 430EX
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3 years 7 months ago #696887 by Sawyer
Funny thing is, when I'm with family, yes.  Otherwise no. 
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Canon 35L | Sigma 85 1.4 | Helios 44M-6 58mm(M42) | Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (C/Y) | Canon 135L | (2) 430EX II
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3 years 6 months ago #697039 by Ottis
with kids only
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3 years 6 months ago #697162 by Red Tail
No, just random shots as I carry a conversation with my subject.   I think you get better and more natural looks.  
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3 years 6 months ago #697340 by Zach Mosher
Yes, when  needed
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