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Dear Diary,

I suppose it could not have been the Web Mistress who was responsible for my firing.  Even though she name-dropped my replacement while I was still doing the job and I could see it coming a mile away, it is possible that the web steering committee at the office decided (not necessarily unanimously) they wanted a so-called professional. Oh - am I still on about this?  YOU BET.

Portraiture is an emotional experience for a lot of people.  A lot of people hate to have their picture taken and they are very quick to admit that.  I've taken portraits of people who are convinced they have a "good" side, people who are sure they are the least photogenic person in the history of people ("...and I know everyone says they aren't photogenic but I really am not photogenic"), people who smile confidently, and people who, for years, have simply refused to have their portrait taken.  Most people announce "I hate having my picture taken" and that's how we start the session.  All that does to me is quietly inspire me to give them the best portrait they've ever had. 

While I've surprised a few of these people over the years with a result that actually pleased them (and I can tell you that's a real moment seeing people decide maybe for the first time that they don't look so bad after all) there have been some who try and try again and never seem too enthused about the result.  I suppose it's important not to underestimate this lot.

The people who never seem too enthused about the result tend to be the people who are only capable of one pose no matter how much you try to coax something else out of them.  Some people smile only out of half of their face.  Have you ever had to ask an adult, "Can you please try smiling with both sides of your mouth?"  That's either there or it isn't.  Some people have a toothy smile, and some remain tight lipped.  I've asked the tight-lippers to show some teeth.  Some oblige. Some refuse. Some just can't do it naturally.  It doesn't always work, and it isn't always the look people want.  The photographic skill is in finding a place between what looks good and what comes naturally, and the bottom line is that the things that come naturally to you define who you are.  It's how you comport yourself.  Ever see a photo of Hitler with an ebullient grin?  Maybe that was a bad example.

People also, and this one is hard to believe until you've seen it, light up differently.  I can have everything set perfectly for one person, and then the next person stands in the same exact spot and everything is wrong.  Nothing works.  The eyes that were cheerfully accented with catch light now appear sunken.  The shadows on the face are now harsh.  The background is brighter or darker because the overall exposure has changed.  Everything is a complete do-over.  These are probably the people on the steering committee.  Also, good luck to the next guy photographing these people (except not really good luck.)

Other people stand in front of the camera and everything suddenly works.  Lighting is even and soft.  The smile (whatever it may be) is natural.  I've seen this happen with people of all different physical descriptions.  It could be anyone.  One thing I've noticed is that you really can't tell how someone is going to light up until you get them in front of the lens.

There are tutorials and instructions all over the internet to help with the many issues you'll encounter when taking portraits... if you know enough to recognize the issues in the first place.  That's half the battle.  

Not sure what the other half is.