Review a portrait sequence

I am normally one to follow instructions - if a brief says "do x" I am loathe to "do y". I take it as a given that exercises and assignments are set out with the aim of maximising the learning return, therefore why play about with the instructions.

In this exercise, however, I have decided to deviate somewhat from the brief. I set out below a sequence, as required, but it is not "in a formal, structured way", it is not a "consistent setting and framing", and tripod is not used. Instead it is a sequence of images taken at an event: the launch of a book of children's poetry published by my wife. The subject is the author, and the images are taken in Weymouth library at an event organised by her; she read some of her poems to some children. I captured images of the author signing her book and reading.

Why choose this? For a couple of reasons: firstly, using an environment with plenty of distracting features demonstrated very well the need to compose well; secondly, the inherent activity made for challenging opportunities to capture the expression of the author, and, in some images, the other subjects. To be frank, I found this a lot more enjoyable than setting up a formal studio style shoot.

I had little control of author's expressions and had to "go with the flow", but this in turn helped with a skill that we have not looked in portraiture so far: anticipation. Could I anticipate what would happen next in order best to capture the expressions and poses?

The need for spontaneity and speed made the idea of reviewing in camera impossible. The review is therefore carried out in the browser only, and after some post processing.

The sequence was as follows:

  

 Next, these were ranked into the four categories of a) not good; b) acceptable; c) good; and d) the best single shot, as follows:

Not good

 Cannot see author's face

 Author is looking up and image has distraction of someone else almost as prominent

 A promising image, author has excited and active expression - ruined by the girl's eyes closed.

 Better but author's mouth is closed.

This would be have been a great image - even the background person adds to the effect with a nice smile, but author's eyes closed.

Acceptable

 Despite the shadow from on camera flash, this is a reasonable action shot of book signing with nice expression.

Better composition but expression is lacking.

The author is subsidiary to the illustrator in this image but the relaxed feel to the picture compensates.

On the cusp of acceptability, this image shows how the author developed her notes and as such adds interest to a sequence.

 

Slightly too far away, but the author takes the eye and the boy looking intently with a strong implied line to the author further helps focus the attention.

Composition slightly spoiled this otherwise good image with the roof light taking the eye's attention and the woman's hair behind the boy's left arm.

A captivating image of the author slightly spoiled by the static poises of the children and the girl not looking left.

A shot posed by a photographer taking images for the local paper. It works but everyone is looking at official photographer.

Ditto

Good

Although the author's expression is not ideal, the composition, the prominence of the book, the expression on the little girl, and on the girl behind are ideal for the aim of the image. Nice pose from the author.

OK, it's not a portrait but as part of a book launch sequence it works well.

No doubt about the subject matter. The girl is attentive. It would be the best if not for the overlap of faces.

Nearly a joint winner, the expressions are marvellous and the poses match.

Best single shot

Lovely expressions  - the boy reading from the book while the author recites to the audience works very well.

 
This was an interesting and challenging exercise. I will be honest and say that the standard of images is generally not great - I credit myself with better composition than this normally - but that is to some extent the peril of the venue - it was cramped. But I took some very varied expressions and gestures with some interesting results and gained from the experience of taking images in real time with minimal opportunity to review results on location.