Hostile
Cochin, India 2009
I don’t always ask for a portrait. It is my opinion that once a person is aware that you are photographing them, their countenance changes. Facial muscles stiffen in self-consciousness. Something vital is lost.
I was in Cochin looking for some local color on a deserted street. I spotted this handsome boy. My first shot was a reflex. You are supposed to think about your shot. I know that. But candid shots often vanish before you have a chance to think. So get what you can is my theory. Plenty of time to think once you have established a relationship with your subject. And one thing to think about is not to place your subject in the center as I have done here. (This could easily be cropped if it was the only photo I had. Cropping is not a sin despite what many photographers like to tell you.)
Still Suspicious
Here’s shot number two. I’ve cropped a bit…I must have liked that splash of pink in the background. Red, pink and yellow…good colors but maybe the pink is a bit distracting.
Perfect!
I no longer have my splash of pink but red and yellow give the portrait pizzazz plus his dazzling smile and sweet expression. I don’t remember if I spoke to the boy, but obviously he changed his mind about me.
The last bit of advice is to only show portrait number three.