Tried some portraits but they all had that distant look

[MSnowy]

Maybe because it was a cloudy rainy day in MA.

 

[sashbar]

Monuments are supposed to keep some distance from us mere mortals, that is why they are being put on a pedestal. You have just registered a fact. If you want it more intimate, buy a ladder or wait until you will be put on a pedestal as well.

 

[Derrel]

Huhhh...not sure what to say. These folks seem a bit stiff in front of the camera. Did you try and make a few light-hearted jokes, maybe appeal to them on a personal level, and try to establish some rapport with them? I would guess you did not do that...

 

[Derrel]

And since we're on a C&C kinda deal...why didn't you use fill light? Do I have to go all KmH on you, and talk about the quality and direction of the light, and the necessity for fill light to put those beautiful catchlights in the eyes of the subjects?

[I hope nobody thinks this is a serious post on my part...but one never knows...]

 

[MSnowy]

Huhhh...not sure what to say. These folks seem a bit stiff in front of the camera. Did you try and make a few light-hearted jokes, maybe appeal to them on a personal level, and try to establish some rapport with them? I would guess you did not do that...

Come on I tried say "cheeseburger and then "smile for the birdy" and got nothing. A bunch of typical old "Massholes"

 

[BillM]

It never fails, you go to take a picture and they blink

 

[KmH]

If you want your subject to 'pop' (separation from the background by adding a lighting ratio) on an overcast/rainy day, use a flash unit to add light to the subject.

A long standing visual art truism is - Light advances, dark recedes.
A subject brighter than the background is to a large degree what 'pop' is.

 

[MSnowy]

If you want your subject to 'pop' (separation from the background by adding a lighting ratio) on an overcast/rainy day, use a flash unit to add light to the subject.

A long standing visual art truism is - Light advances, dark recedes.
A subject brighter than the background is to a large degree what 'pop' is.

Thanks next time I head there Ill bring a flash. These were taken while I was out looking for a Great Horned Owl in a cemetery