Dominique’s few and far between portraits

[Blue439]

I don’t do portrait. Not that I’m not attracted to the genre —I am. And it also provides plenty of opportunities to be creative with flash lighting... I think I would enjoy interacting with a live subject, too. But it seems no one willing to have their portrait taken ever found their way to me!

So, the only photos I can submit in this category is, first, one taken from a series of baby pictures (not really “portraits”, I know) I took of my granddaughter in 2023. I went for a high-key approach.

Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor Z 50mm, ƒ/1.8 S lens, handheld.

 

[Blue439]

Then, during the last yearly meeting of our regional team in one of the non-profit heritage organizations I work for as a pro bono photographer, I was asked to take portraits of everyone (about 100 people), all in the same format and the same lighting (mug shots, really!), for an organizational chart with photographs. It was a completely new exercise for me, with very little time for each shot, a bit like cadenced assembly line work! With all the other people watching as I was shooting, it was not easy to get some of my models to relax and adopt a less rigid pose...

Technically, I had little doubt that the photos would be fine, but artistically...? Have I managed to capture those people’s personality? To glimpse into their soul, for just one brief moment? I doubt it.

Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor Z 85mm, ƒ/1.8 S lens. Gitzo tripod, Arca-Swiss Cube C1 geared head. Artificial lighting.