Communication Skills

Learning how to interact with people you would like to photograph is a skills that can be easily mastered.

If the person is a relative stranger, strike up a conversation before asking permission to take their photograph.

1. Introduce yourself.
2. Invite them to tell you their story by asking some open questions.
3. Express an interest in their appearance or their activity.
4. Let them understand your photographic intentions are honorable and non-threatening.

Consider phrasing your desire to take a photograph in a way that will most likely lead to a positive response, such as… “You won’t mind if I create a few photographs of you will you? or “I think we need to capture this moment for posterity.”

One of the creative projects on my Sony Alpha Workshops is how to create Professional Portraits (I supply the models). I also show you how to use Lightroom to get the most out of your images. Go to https://www.markgaler.com/sony-alpha-creative-workshops to find out more.

This is an extract from my new book ‘Introduction to Photography: A Visual Guide to the Essential Skills of Photography and Lightroom’.

It is available from all good book stores and Amazon US , Amazon UK and Amazon Australia