Hi, my name is Oded Wagenstein and I'm a portrait photographer.
In my work I focus on the subject of ageing using the camera to share the stories and voices of elders
from different communities around the world.
And today i'm going to share with you a few essential tips on portrait photography
and on how to build a meaningful relationship with the people you photograph.
But first, I would like you to meet Taka.
He lives in Northern Siberia.
To meet him I had to travel 60 hours by train followed by bond breaking sledge ride across the Siberian tundra.
When I finally met him he asked me one thing:
- If you have asthma and you're a vegetarian what are you doing here?
That was an excellent question and the answer is because of the camera.
For the past decade the camera has taken me to incredible places.
But the most significant thing that I've gained
are the hundreds of people that I've met and the friendships that we have created.
I think that photographing people is probably the most interesting
and also most complicated genres of photography.
Interesting because there are endless possibilities, endless stories you can share
but complicated because it is not easy.
I know many who struggle with the concept of photographing people especially strangers.
I know because I struggle with it myself.
And I used to tell myself stories about shooting from a distance to keep the authenticity of the moment.
But it was just an excuse. An excuse that allowed me to remain in the comfort zone.
The comfort zone of not approaching.
I was worried to hurt someone. I was worried to get hurt.
But at some point I've realized that if you approach with a smile and respect,
the worst thing that can happen is getting a no. And i understood this refusal won't hurt me.
And after photographing hundreds of people in different communities all around the world
I can share with you that by approaching with respect and a smile you will mostly get a yes.
Because by approaching and not shooting from a distance what you're actually saying is:
"I find you important. I want to share your story."
Now after we have discussed the importance of overcoming your fear of approaching,
let us take it to the next level.
Many of my students share with me that when they have tried this approach, they've lost the authenticity of the moment.
How can we combine the benefits of approaching
like giving respect and controlling the composition
with the benefits of shooting from a distance like catching the moment and being transparent?
I would like to suggest a process that I call "slow photography".
The first step in slow photography will sound obvious but I know many who skip this vital step.
The step of spending time with the person you would like to photograph.
Time spent without the camera. Yes.
The initial relationship can start with a question: Can i take your picture? And then take a few pictures.
But then let's go with the camera.
Start a conversation, drink some tea, it doesn't matter what you do as long as you spend time as two people
and not as a photographer and subject.
You probably heard it before: a good portrait is a storytelling portrait.
But how to tell a story in a portrait? And the story of who?
I think that the best portrait is a combination between your story and the way you see the world
with the story of the person you're photographing.
So in order to tell that story, you will have to hear it first.
When I've met him in Jerusalem,
he shared with me that he's wearing the clothes of his partner who passed away,
because he wished to feel closer to him.
I knew that this should be the story of the portrait.
A portrait of longing.
And that's the thing. When you're photographing from a distance, you have only your opinion of the world.
Allow others to inspire you and this inspiration will find its way to your work.
I've learned so much from the elders that I photograph in recent years
from their wisdom, experience and knowledge.
And that's the thing in slow photography.
That the photo taking is only a small fraction of the process
as we can use photography as a bridge to new knowledge and experience.
Make the photo taking a mutual process.
For example you can ask:
Is there any location special to you that you would like me to photograph you there?
Is there any specific photo that you want us to create together?
When I was asking Pudani if she could bring a precious item from her past,
she brought this beautiful hat which you can see in her portrait.
By making it a mutual process
you will not only allow the person in front of you to feel more relaxed
but it can lead you to a fantastic image.
After we have discussed the importance of conversation
now let us talk about the importance of silence.
The question of when and how to go back to taking pictures in the process is critical.
You can start incorporate photography into the conversation.
You can put the camera on a tripod and with the release cable
you can take pictures while standing beside the camera and not behind it.
But I'm using a different approach.
When I feel that the time is right and it can be after a few minutes hours or even weeks
depending on the person in front of me
I will say thank you for sharing your story with me.
I will take out the camera will put it in front of my face and i will turn silent.
There's something magical about this moment of silence after a meaningful conversation.
Don't feel the need to fill the space with more words.
In this moment I'm inviting the person in front of me to go back to their usual self.
Choosing photography equipment is important
and should correspond directly with your photography style and process.
When it comes to choosing my own gear
my first priority is to use the gear that will allow me to focus on the storytelling.
I've been working with Canon since my first camera.
And today I used the EOS 5D Mark IV with a lens of EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II.
A lens I've been using as my single lens for almost a decade now.
Allowing it to become a part of the way I see.
I use this set because it supports the way I work.
It's fast, the focus is always where I want it to be and it's flexible.
Allowing me to work only in natural light.
I do not limit myself in terms of the location and i just follow the story.
So my tip for you is just to choose the equipment you feel comfortable with.
You don't need to carry a bag the size of a house.
Just use the equipment that will allow you to bring your vision to life.
A great thing you can do
is to send the people you have photographed their printed portrait.
It's a wonderful gift
whereas one elder in India shared with me,
it is better than money. It is a memory.
I think that one of the most significant things
in building a meaningful relationship with the people you photograph
and especially in my photography process
is going back to the same communities meeting the same people over a period of time.
For me being able to meet a person that I photographed before
is much more exciting than travelling to a new place.
Because by doing so you can become a part of the community and form real friendships.
And actually this is the reason that I became a photographer.
As a child, I was bullied a lot and I did not have many friends.
So today I use the camera as a bridge, as a passport to create friendships.
Thank you for joining me on this video and before we go
I would like to give you a creative exercise you can do at home.
I think that this spirit is a wonderful opportunity to discover all those stories
we've missed in our backyard within our home and family.
Try to create a meaningful portrait of someone who is living with you.
Of course by following local safety regulations in your country.
You can photograph your parents your partner
and if you are living alone create a self-portrait.
But I would like you to think about every aspect of this portrait.
Step one: search the web for inspiration and a reference.
It can be in the work of your favourite photographer
in a painting or any work of art.
You don't have to copy that work just use it as an inspiration.
Step two: decide on the emotional spotlight.
What would you like your audience to know and feel about your subject?
And finally: imagine the final image.
How you will harness the tools of photography like composition light and background
in order to tell that story. In order to evoke that emotion.
Sure travelling to new places is fun, I missed it too.
But you may discover that the most meaningful story
was always there waiting to be discovered.
Thank you for joining me on this video. Make sure to tag us as we would love to see your work.
Till next time thank you and goodbye.
you