A
while back, a friend asked me what my favorite photography subject was and without
giving it much thought, I said people. Actually, my exact response was that “I
love editorial and commercial photography which most often than not involves photographing
people.” “What
kind, adults or children?” she probed further. “I prefer adults,” I said. “They
are predictable and consequently, less troublesome to work with.”
“Inaonekana hupendi
watoto,” –“it seems you do not like kids,” she
declared and what followed was a lengthy ‘sermon’ of how I should learn to love
those “adorable little subjects.” For
the record, I do not hate photographing kids. On the contrary, I find it very
interesting since unlike adults who are always self-conscious in their character;
kids are very genuine –like leather. They truly do not know how to pretend;
what you see is what you get.
Very unpredictable
Having
said that children especially the small ones; full of curiosity and possessing
very slim concentration spans can be very unpredictable and fiddly during photo
sessions and will really push a photographer’s patience to the limit. Some
will decide they do not like you or your camera and will try to hide or even
worse… scream their little heads off! Others will be too friendly and will even
want to play with your pricey camera thinking that it is a toy –well, to be
fair it is but not for kids!
Personally,
I dread coming across a little fellow who does not know what it means to follow
instructions –not even from the parents, since I know my chances of getting a
decent image of the kid are as good as gone. Overall,
I find taking pictures of children fascinatingly challenging and my little (pun
intended) experience over the years has taught me to approach such assignments
with an open mind. Besides, they are “adorable little subjects,” right?
 |
After
keenly observing me taking pictures during his friend's birthday, my
little friend here decided it was his turn to ‘peep’ through the lens, never mind from which side. |
Camera - CANON EOS 550D
Focal Length - 20 mm
Shutter Speed - 1/32 sec
Aperture - f/3.5
ISO/Film - 640 Shutter Speed - 1/32 sec
Aperture - f/3.5
Category - Birthday
Uploaded - March 31st 2014
Taken - September 3rd 2011
Location - Sarova Panafric Hotel Nairobi
Copyright - Stephen Mukhongi/Talkback Studios
Copyright - Stephen Mukhongi/Talkback Studios
