Ain't it tha Truth?

[WhoDo]

"He asked me what I do for a living. I said I'm a photographer. He said that's not a real job, anyone can do that. I said, okay, if we give everyone in this room a microphone, are we all going to be good singers? If I gave everyone Gordon Ramsay's oven, would they cook as well as Gordon Ramsay? If I gave everyone Roger Federer's tennis racket, would they play tennis as well as Federer? If you have the tools of trade of someone special, would you be as good as them? He laughed, but then he started to understand. Anyone can take a picture, but how good is it?"
--Jerry Ghionis

'nuff said... - I reckon, if you're into portraiture, this will be the best 2¹/₄ hours you will spend this year.

[ameerat42]

You surprise me, Waz. What an interesting video! Such insights!
I never expected to find it interesting.
Am.

[fess67]

I have seen his work before, he is a very good wedding photographer. I have followed some tutorials online and tried to use his techniques and they work however they take practice (as with everything). Plus, I found the biggest battle was knowing yourself what will look good and then getting the person to do it. I have to admit I was not very good at it and have pretty much sworn off portraiture which is sad because it was one of the genres I really wanted to get good at. Lack of willing subjects ultimately meant I did not get the chance to practice.

[WhoDo]

You surprise me, Waz. What an interesting video! Such insights!
I never expected to find it interesting.

Maybe that's because he's an Aussie, am?

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I have to admit I was not very good at it and have pretty much sworn off portraiture which is sad because it was one of the genres I really wanted to get good at. Lack of willing subjects ultimately meant I did not get the chance to practice.

Now might be a good time to revisit it, Fess. I've found a local Facebook group that specialises in putting up TFP (Trade for Photos) projects so photographers, models and makeup artists can get experience and some images for their portfolio. My last two posts in formal and posed were from such projects. It's worth investigating for your area. Just a thought.

[Harry41]

Whilst not being into portrait photography myself, I have watched a number of Jerry Ghionis' videos. My girlfriend (Niki) is a member on the I.C.E society website, and I often watch over her shoulder when she's watching his vids. I have to admit to being drawn in to all his techniques and ways of doing things. He seems to be a master of finding the right combination of angle, framing and pose to make just about anyone look good. It is always interesting to watch him pose a model in the most awkward, uncomfortable looking position (as viewed from the video camera's point of view), and have the final image come out as relaxed and natural as could be imagined.

[WhoDo]

It is always interesting to watch him pose a model in the most awkward, uncomfortable looking position (as viewed from the video camera's point of view), and have the final image come out as relaxed and natural as could be imagined.

Exactly what I thought, too. "They can't be comfortable .." and yet they look like they are in the finished product.

[snappysi]

jerry ghonis is an absolute master at what he does, and super insightful as well. I nearly went to one of his classes in New York last year but couldn't quite find the dollars.... I too have seen most his vids, and would recommend his tutorials on Kelby, one on posing and one on lighting. As with most pros he makes it look so simple.
As an aside, i have always wondered how much of these great photographers work is as a result of amazing models combined with even more amazing locations. I have in part always thought that was half teh battle at times, even if that is somewhat misguided....

Simon.

[Harry41]

We watched one vid where he was on some kind of talk show or something, and they went out in the foyer and he took a shot of his wife laying on the floor with some sun hitting her through a window, nothing else in the shot and it looked amazing. Then he took 2 random members on the crew, posed them if they were a couple, and with his guidance and direction, they looked like they were newlyweds. The man sure has a knack....

[Bennymiata]

Excellent video.
I watched every minute of it.