Head Shots

A few weeks ago I was asked to take some headshots for the gang at Midday Connection. Normally I don’t feel very comfortable taking pictures of people - there’s a lot at play when your subject is human. First, people tend to are how they look. Second, they usually need these pictures for an actual purpose - that’s pressure enough. And third are the time constraints.

Generally speaking I restrict myself to either scenic or architectural photography. There is a lot less pressure for me in situations like that. I love landscape photography - the biggest issues are waiting for a cloud to move for better lighting, or scaring a bird away because it flew into my shot.

There are times when I take pictures of people, but it’s usually more in a casual setting, no pressure. Like taking pictures of my nieces and nephews on vacation. So when Lori, the producer of Midday Connection, asked me to take their new headshots, I wasn’t exactly jumping at the opportunity. But she was persistent.

The other thing that made me uncomfortable walking into the shoot was that they needed these pictures taken with the dreaded digital. (For those who haven’t read my bio, I’m a snob for 35mm film.) These all-automatic computer devices like to take over too much -they constantly want to tell me what my focus should be or to change my f-stop, etc. You have to pile though menu options to make one simple adjustment that on my fully manual 35mm would only take a flick of my finger. But I bit the bullet and made it through.

Thankfully the story has a happy ending. The Midday crew - Anita, Melinda and Lori -were pleased with the outcome. If you would like more information on their daily radio program, check out their website www.middayconnection.org

Here are a few of the successes.