The eyes have it

Two of the favourite t-shirts in my wardrobe feature Mr Grumpy and Grumpy of the Seven Dwarfs ... both were given to me by my stepkids (I think they were trying to tell me something). At the time they were probably spot on. (Unfortunately, both shirts are now in the "only around the house" condition.)

Despite this grumpiness I was still managing to connect with my subjects (that's photographic subjects, not the residents of my kingdom..ha ha). It is one of the most important aspects of photographing people, it distinguishes the ordinary from the extraordinary. It is the connection that "brings out" the person in a portrait. They give you something extra. If you don't connect you don't get it. Lots of people have the camera skills, but not many have the people skills.

One of the areas that seems to come pretty naturally for me is working with small children. I really hadn't noticed until my wife pointed it out (she is very observant). Kids and I just seem to get along (maybe they can tell I'm just a big softie) and I actually quite enjoy working with them. Not everyone does. I have a colleague who would rather front a grizzly bear than have to photograph kids! For me I think it's the innocence and honesty. And the eyes...the eyes that are yet to be clouded by the realities of life.

I'm sure that would be different if I was shooting in a refugee camp ... but that is a whole different story.