Expert advice on how to shoot extraordinary photographs

BY ASSIA MORTENSEN

Most of us display photos of our loved ones around our homes and they are often snapshots taken when we’re happy and relaxed, such as on vacation. But just by bringing a little bit of artful planning and creativity to the process, we can improve the quality of these showpiece photographs immensely — and perhaps pick up a fun new hobby in the process.

Whether you approach photography as an amateur or a professional, it’s key to find out what your photographic subject’s assets are and work with them, says photographer Don Tinling. “I think everyone has something magical about them. Taking a portrait of someone is almost like capturing the narrative of who they are inside and bringing that out,” Tinling says. “So then, it doesn’t really matter if you have a crooked smile or that you’re self-conscious about your hairline.”

Tinling is a fine art and portrait photographer, owner of Hollywood Photo Studio, and former photo editor for Frontiers. He studied digital imaging and web design at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, then started to create original content for websites—which included portraiture and photography. “I found myself drawn more to that aspect of it rather than building websites. My current focus is doing the artistic work,” he says. At Hollywood Photo Studio, Tinling mainly takes theatrical headshots and does portrait photography. He emphasizes that, first and foremost, it’s important to develop a rapport with the subject. Tinling says he takes the time to talk with the client and find out what they generally don’t like about themselves in photos. Armed with that information, he finds that he is better equipped to work with the good qualities they possess.

“There is an aspect of doing headshots professional portrait photography that can be really ‘cookie cutter,’” Tinling comments. “Sometimes when people come in, I will have set up my studio, but then after we talk I’ll decide to shift gears entirely,” he says. “So I’ll change the backdrop or the lighting—that way I can really capture the essence of that person, which is really special.”

Tinling recently shot a photo of a cabaret singer and described the elaborate set he made for her. Tinling recounted, “It turned out she was a mom, and really down to earth. She was much more comfortable in bare feet than high-heeled shoes.” After shooting for a while on the set, Tinling asked if she would put on her jeans, and they headed out to a beautiful hillside around the corner from the studio. “She just sat down on the grassy hillside and totally relaxed—and we were laughing—then something really special came out.”

As far as helping people achieve the right pose, Tinling believes a photographer uses many of the same skills as a director. “I once worked as a producer and production manager. At the time, I got to work with some amazing people, including Herb Ritts—so being around that kind of creative talent, I learned a great deal,” he says. “In many ways I consider myself a director when I’m with a client—a tilt of the head or a shift of the shoulders, or a change in posture, can be crucial,” Tinling adds. But, he also stresses that the pose should look natural, relaxed, and unforced.

We have all seen it: the photo of a beautiful woman trying to look beautiful, or the studly, masculine man trying to look studly. “If you are trying too hard, it shows. It’s a mistake to hide the truth.” Tinling adds, “When I find that people are not being authentic, or trying to be something they think they should be—or what others want them to be—it will never work as their ‘selling point,’” Tinling explains. “Their success lies in who they really are. Then they attract people to them because they are showing their true selves.”

When choosing a background for your subject, Tinling recommends getting creative and experimenting with contrasting elements. For example, he says, “if your subject has dark clothes and dark hair, perhaps a light background will create a good contrast. It depends on the style of the photo. Ask yourself, ‘what is the mood I want to evoke from the photo—light and fresh, or dark and dramatic?’”

One of the more enjoyable fine art photographs Tinling recently shot was of actress Calpernia Adams. He made her up to look like the Virgin Mary breastfeeding, and lit it like a classical Italian painting. “I love to do things that are a little more edgy, and turn things on their side a bit,” he adds. Another artistic shoot he has planned will deal with the themes of love, bondage, power, and spirituality using the God Eros—but in a modern setting, he explained. (This piece will be shown at the Antebellum Gallery in Hollywood, beginning Feb. 14.)

Successful photographers have the ability to shift people and get them out of their comfort zone, then extract something that is often unknown—sometimes even to them. “A photograph is a split-second moment in someone’s life. That’s how we respond emotionally,” Tinling says. “Often our emotions can come and go in a second—and it’s evoking that emotion and capturing it that is most critical.”

Photographer Don Tinling can be reached at Hollywood Photo Studio, 310/903-0401 or visit www.hollywoodphotostudio.com for more information.

Your Best Face Forward

Taking photos for social networking site profiles

If you want to post a photo on a popular social networking website like MySpace or Facebook, how can you capture your best qualities in one tiny photo? Photographer Don Tinling recommends setting your digital camera to “auto” mode—or rounding up a trusted friend—then trying various settings and outfits until you achieve your desired result. Do you feel most comfortable outside in your garden? Well, that background may be just the ticket. A good photo will reflect “who you really are,” says Tinling; it should be one that you don’t mind the general public viewing. In other words, the photo you’d like to use to get dates will also have to work for a possible job interview. According to CareerBuilder, hiring managers are Googling their prospective candidates more often—and what they discover is sometimes a deal breaker. For example, 11% of prospective employment candidates had posted provocative photographs on social sites, 19% had bad-mouthed their former company, and 19% boasted about drinking and doing drugs. Other tips from Tinling: avoiding alcohol for at least a day before an interview and drinking lots of water will make your skin smoother. Wearing something simple, with classic lines, will draw attention to your face—instead of your shirt or … lack thereof.

—A.M.