Comments on: Smiling Happy People

By: scottdphotography

scottdphotography — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:04:03 +0000

Has anyone ever seen a smiling person in art photography? I mean an intentional smile not one which is candid or from an appropriated photograph.

By: PhotoIndustryTruths

PhotoIndustryTruths — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:54:24 +0000

Really, what this comes down to is a marked distinction between Photo Editors and Art Directors:

•Photo Editors can look at a photographer’s book and see its potential. We can see that a photographer has the ability to shoot food, even if the whole portfolio is filled with still life. And, if I like a photographer’s work, I – for one – genuinely want to give that person a chance. And I will fight for that person.

But then there’s the Art Director…

•Art Directors have [what they call] a “vision.” (Sometimes it ends up being more of a “nightmare”, but for now we’ll let them hang onto that euphemisms if it keeps them happy.) They will then articulate that vision using a bunch of deep, profound abstract (read: VAGUE) language and then explain that when they see the right photographer, they will know it.

So then you – as the photo editor – trot over with the portfolio from the photographer of your choice. The Art Director will flip through, get to the end, then look at you and – in all seriousness – will state very matter-of-factly: “I really don’t think this person can shoot an apple on white seamless. I only see shots of basketballs on black seamless in his portfolio.”

At this point, the photo editor must commit every bit of his/her energy to preventing the cross-eyed look he/she longs to give the Art Director, while calmly stating, “But, clearly this photographer has a strong grasp on lighting a sphere in the same clear manner in which we were planning to shoot the apple. I really think that this person can do it.”

The photo editor knows this is already a “lost cause”…but braces for the final SMACK DOWN from the Art Director: “I just don’t see it in the book.”

Fine, you want to see a portfolio of smiling happy people? Right. Yeah. I’ll bet $200 then when you get it, you’ll want the frown.

By: Sean Marc Lee

Sean Marc Lee — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:26:30 +0000

i quoted/linked you in my blog recently about the whole “taste is the sum result of your life and how you see the world.”

i have one too many discussion with fellow photographers, artists, filmmakers, friends on what is “good” art/film/music/photograph. it’s like, there is so much to take into consideration of how something will be looked at. is it all a matter of taste? are their agreeable ideas one can come too about what is “generally” good? it’s always been a fascinating subject to me.

i am glad i found this blog. thanks for telling it like it is!

-Sean

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:49:03 +0000

I never consciously set out to take photos of people not smiling, but that’s what seems to happen every time. Your case proved. I tend to get the itch to trip the shutter when other moments happen rather than smiles.

By: M R Williams

M R Williams — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:15:16 +0000

Hi, I’m new to this site, a photographer friend told me about it last week.
Just wanted to say its really nice to read some intelligent comments about photography, and unexpected analysis like this smiling post - strange, it actually made me go back over my work and look again at how I photograph people. That’s what I’ve enjoyed here, its not just talking about photography, but making you think about it.

Anyway just my thoughts, this being my first post - but I’ll be back.
Thank you.
Michael

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:11:17 +0000

I shoot warm smiling people all the time, mostly for corporate annual reports and it takes a lot to break through the barriers of some of the executives and management. To get even the hint of a smile to give them a semblance of humanity is a major effort. My corporate clients hire me to make their people look like you would actually enjoy being around them for more than a minute or two.

Editorial, I shoot it like it is.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:27:37 +0000

Sam Jones rules for smiles, plus he can shoot dudes smiling and well, looking like dudes.

By: jing q

jing q — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:14:27 +0000

Happy photos are out of fashion. The world loves emo models.
go go emo models!

By: stikman

stikman — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:03:17 +0000

^Nadag
I am just a complete poser wanna-be, so my opinion comes on weak experience photo wise. But in regards to your comment with fashion shooting/smiling. If I see more upscale designers with smiley models it conveys that the clothes are weak, soft. A grumpy looking model in a certain designer tells me they feel bad ass and ready to stomp the comp if you will.
WTF do I know though.
Ciao
Love this blog, but I do not tell anyone about it, its like a secret porn stash.

By: Nadag

Nadag — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:01:49 +0000

Completely agree with you, photo editor. It takes a different kind of person to attract a genuine smile from their model.

On a side topic as a woman I personally loathe the non-smiling photos that are the norm in fashion photos. Models that appear aloof at best, moody or angry at worst don’t in any way convey a sense of pleasure in wearing the beautiful clothes they are supposed to promote… It just doesn’t make sense to me. Feels like fashion makers are shooting themselves in the foot. But of course I’m just a plain consumer.