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The Black and White Portrait–How and When to Decide if it is the Best Choice.
So gentle and sweet!
This black and white portrait was originally created in color. As my clients and I were viewing the portraits of their daughter I suggested that we take a look and see how this portrait would look in black and white.
I did this for a couple of reasons, the gentle, delicate expression on their daughter’s face and the high-key nature of the portrait (the all white background). In addition the soft, even lighting on her face I felt would lend itself to a nice rendition in black and white.
When I changed the portrait from color to black and white and they saw the difference they readily agreed with me that black and white was absolutely the way to go on their daughter’s portrait. Of course, once that decision is made it is my job in post production to create the file’s transition from color to black and white reproduce in the way that myself, as a portrait professional with 37 years experience believe is the best way.
One of my ‘secrets’ besides specifically controlling the contrast and the density (the lightness and darkness) of the image is to add a mixture of color (red and yellow, the amount of both) depending on the image, to give it the look that I want and that my clients will love.
There is a lot of subjectivity in this process which I really love. I compare to a cook or a baker that instinctively adds that one or two ingredients to their creation that just makes it ‘perfect.’
On last thing, I do not bombard my clients with recommendations for which poses should be black and white.
I always say and indeed, do believe that the image will tell us. What I mean by that is, when I click the image from color to black and white we will know right away by seeing the change if black and white is better or should we stay with color.
This is just one of the services I love to provide for my clients.
Some Dogs Are Just So Darn Cute!!
Cuteness overload!
The truth is some dogs are really challenging to photograph and some are really easy. This charming little Biewer Terrier named Marco was an absolute delight to photograph. When dogs are easy to photograph, and what I mean by that, is they are fairly calm, engaged with what I am doing and are easy to pose in a variety of ways and that I can have them be on and use a variety of different props.
I pride myself that I can and will capture quality portraits of my clients beloved dogs,m no matter their size, breed and personality.
My proof is that in the last 12 years I have photographed more than 1000 dogs and there was just 5 times that I was not able to capture a portrait. This time certainly was not one of them!
The Senior Dog Portrait–Before it is Too Late!
One of my favorite portrait sessions to create is the senior dog portrait session. It is often an emotional portrait session especially for the loving dog parent or parents that have brought their beloved dog in before the end that they know is coming.
I am careful not to overtax the dog with too much movement and I work to capture the dignity and presence of a long lived life (which of course varies with the breed and size of the dog.)
Sometimes clients bring special toys or blankets which we will add to some of the poses.
For senior dogs we really don’t spare the treats, either my treat or the ones the clients bring are given liberally as rewards and incentives.
It is humbling for me to see how much love clients have for their senior dogs and take the responsibility of capturing portraits of their dogs that they will love–very seriously!!!
If only he could talk!
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