When I collaborate with other people, finding a balance between accuracy and spontaneity stands tall on my list. I define spontaneity during a photoshoot when things begin to flow, and neither my subject nor I feel any kind of restrain. For most of my experience working with people, I'd say that it takes us approximately ¾ of the shoot to get to that comfort level.
There have been cases when spontaneity is reached a little sooner, and I will not speculate on a general rule for why that's the case. As the guy with the camera, my job is to register all the elements that make the scene: light, contrast, scale, and form. So, if I can spice it up with gesture and narrative, even better!
Most people I have photographed over the years are very experienced in front of the camera. Still, I'm finding that those subjects who are accustomed to performing, like actors or musicians, really set themselves apart and bring me an exciting challenge. In the case of this photoshoot with American actress Shannon Murphy, her spontaneity level was set from the start, so meddling with camera settings and whatnot just wasn't an option. In the case of this post, I will omit details on how I created these images, so I invite you to check out my previous posts to get an idea of my workflow.
As of 2020, I continue taking pictures in manual mode with prime lenses and a Canon 5D Mark 1, so there's no safety net. That camera is a ten-year-old DSLR with limiting sensitivity to low light, so focusing and obtaining adequate exposures in low light it's a little finicky. I can't help drooling over newer equipment that offers better performance. As life pushes me toward nighttime photography, I'll keep on rolling with that 5D until all things line up.
The pictures on this post were taken over the curse of an hour later on a Monday night in mid-February. There were no preconceived ideas for this shoot, and sometimes that's the best way to put me to the test. It's encouraging to know there are people like Shannon who make themselves available to get creative. That said, I will never undervalue how important it is to be mindful of people's time and setting time accordingly. Check out Shannon on her website: https://www.shannonmurphyactor.com/, and follow her on instagram:@shannon_Sells_ Sea _ Shells