“Crappy images” was the comment from Woman magazine's editor at a gathering in Copenhagen early September 2014, about the current state of stock photography. And I must admit I agree. The vast majority of images that are shot for stock I would not even use for my own projects. Why not? Because they are simply too fake, too clinical, too staged.
When I shoot, I always strive to achieve authentic-looking images and I encourage my students to do the same. The thing is, that getting those wonderfully authentic real-life moments is not easy. In fact, it is exceptionally difficult. To illustrate this, try to look at a poster from a blockbuster and visualize it as a stock image. You probably would not like what you see. You might describe the actual movie as being authentic and having good acting, but if you look closely at the poster- and we do when we are dealing with images - it doesn't compare to the authenticity of the movie. It would look too stylized, with some movie posters even looking quite “stocky” as has become the term for those staged, simple and colourful stylistic choices.
Lately I have been fine-tuning my approach to authentic images. Pushing for more natural-looking shots, I have come to realize that you can't fake it. You actually have to create real situations, settings and movements, to get the moment right. It’s very difficult to achieve. I have started working more with a manuscript than a shoot plan as well as using actors more than models and real people more than professional extras.
Before, when shooting a business group for example, I would instruct the cast to pretend they where giving a presentation - a classic business shot. The problem with this approach is that you get what you ask for, you get a “pretend” presentation. On this recent shoot I did something different : I gave the model a real presentation that they had to present as well as ensuring the audience understood it. It worked!
I apply the same tactic to other types of shooting. While shooting real couples for example I will simply allow them to interact comfortably with each other. As the photographer, be present but don’t be invasive of their personal space. Just wait, a magical moment will appear.
Here we spent a day with grandparents and grandchildren at their home. We let the kids interact naturally and authentic images came about organically.
Chasing the perfect imperfect image is worth it, because when you master it you know its real and you simply can’t help loving the shot!
