Putting that 70-200mm to good use: Social distancing photography

[deckeda]

I first learned of this being done by Omar Gonzalez in NJ, in early April. He took this on as a person project, as a way of giving back to his original group of kids he photographed when he got started in the business.

Back then he was photographing their mitzvahs or Spring portraits. Now, he has captured a version of their missing H.S. portrait sessions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlRb1aaGEkY&t=12s

Aside from that, he's my favorite Youtuber regardless of genre. He started his channel as a way of sharing his personal appreciation for Fujifim cameras, because his big rigs for work kept him from the joy of personal photography. I don't own a Fiji but enjoy the videos just the same. Recently he's been able to step back and begin doing more general videos about basic lighting, etc.

He's a natural teacher, with great empathy and humor. He even found a way to broach the subject recently of how to get better sound for your workstation without pissing off a single audiophile. He also does a podcast/Youtube channel with one his childhood friends called The Moe and O Photo Show. They spend a lot of time laughing at each other and with each other (and it's not all about photography, either.)

*************

More recently, I learned that "social distancing photography" is a trend. This WaPo story is about someone doing a similar project for high schoolers, after realizing that his junior high daughter's new dress would never be worn to the school dance that got canceled.

When he woke up in the middle of the night, an idea hit him. Like me, he’d been annoyed by people posting their own, decades-ago senior portraits on Facebook, allegedly in support of the Class of 2020. It’s really just a humble-braggy, all-about-me way to show everyone how skinny you were back then. How does this celebrate this year’s seniors?

WaPo wrote:
Sure, America’s Class of 2020 all took their senior portraits at the start of their final year of high school, glam, smiling, felt-like-a-thousand-years-ago formal photos that cost a fortune and captured kids who no longer exist.

“This isn’t the girl in the tall grass, the girl in tulips. I’m not asking them to come dressed in their soccer uniform,” he said. “Come dressed in your street clothes. And bring a piece of gear that you’re not using. The water bottle. The headgear.”

“Not smiling. Not brooding. Just, earnest, Theo,” Mendelsohn explained, crouched in the driveway, as Theo Lezla, 18, posed for his new senior portrait. His real one.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/an-...story.html

https://www.mattmendelsohn.com/senior-po...oronavirus

[Ombligo]

excellent idea.

[deckeda]

Prior to the pandemic I wanted to slowly get into some Senior portrait work as a way of possibly entering the business part time, as a side-hustle. I still see this as an opportunity but with a very limited window of opportunity. I now lack the time, having recently found full time work, despite now having money to buy a proper lens. Ironic.

I’m tired of making excuses for things I want to do. Not sure how to break through this particular cycle of inertia however.

[Acer]

What's the gadget called he's using for an eyepiece on the view screen?

[mikebw]

Acer wrote:
What's the gadget called he's using for an eyepiece on the view screen?

Not sure where you see that, but maybe a loupe?

[deckeda]

Acer wrote:
What's the gadget called he's using for an eyepiece on the view screen?

It’s a loupe made to fit the 5D IV. Don’t recall the brand. He’s mentioned it a time or two in previous videos but I don’t know which ones. He no longer has to worry about fiddling with eyeglasses or blocking out the sun, but of course not every camera using the live view function is enjoyable.

[macphanatic]

Acer wrote:
What's the gadget called he's using for an eyepiece on the view screen?

Didn't look at it, but are you referring to something like this: LCD viewfinder

[Acer]

macphanatic wrote:
[quote=Acer]
What's the gadget called he's using for an eyepiece on the view screen?

Didn't look at it, but are you referring to something like this: LCD viewfinder
Yes, I think that's the gadget. Thanks.