D66: I’m a People Person

Those words actually crossed my mind and almost escaped my mouth today. It may not be riveting or earth shattering to you, but it is to me. My entire life I have always said I was NOT a people person. It’s not that I don’t like people, it’s that I haven’t considered myself gifted in that area. And the introvert in me frequently craves the peace and quiet of alone time.
tasra365-french-quarter-friends

However, today that all changed when I redefined what it means to be a people person (I didn’t change, but my perspective did). Traditionally I think of a people person as an extrovert who loves to be with people all the time, the life of the party, the entertainer, the charming, charismatic leader. You get the picture.

My new definition and the way I thought of it today was someone fascinated, captivated, and enthralled by people…all shapes, sizes, colors…the more colorful the better. That is me! Evidenced clearly in today’s chosen image.

While on a photowalk through the French Quarter today with Scott Bourne and a small group of photographers, I began to notice that I was drawn to create images that included people. Any time I could capture a person in their natural environment, I was thrilled. While I enjoyed shooting texture, color, and contrast, it was the moments of capturing a soul unguarded that drew me in. So yes, I can now say with complete confidence that I am a people person!

And for all my 365 people out there, I’m creating a slideshow of images from the photowalk today so you can experience a bit of what we did. Will post on tomorrow’s blog.

Manual: Page 78—Hue Adjustment. I’m thinking I should try a slight hue adjustment on my Nikon because I’ve noticed that it takes very warm/yellow images and I prefer cooler images. Never thought about adding a hue to counterbalance that in my camera.

Images: Looked at my book about Gordon Parks again. Such a wonderful gift.

Filed under Month 3: Nov '09, features, tasra365 challenge · Tagged with , , Posted by Tasra Dawson on Thursday, November 5, 2009 · View Comments 

  • Hi Tasra! I like your pic today, AND what you have to say! I actually consider myself a people-person in every sense of both of your definitions... I love getting to know people, I love spending time with all sorts of people, AND, I love taking pictures of all sorts of people. I've been thinking that I need to do a post on the portraits I've taken over the years of people "on the street" -- especially old men. I LOVE their faces!

    Also... interesting about the hue/saturation adjustment comment. I took a class once, and I don't remember who said it, but studies show that people who live on the West Coast tend to prefer cooler-toned images, whereas people who live on the East Coast tend to prefer warmer-toned images. It may be an influence of where we live -- we get SO much sun and golden light on the West Coast, that we like to see something a little different in our images, and vice-versa for those on the East Coast. Interesting, isn't it? :-)

    Have a wonderful time with Scott and your photowalk. Enjoy!
  • Brian - you're a people person by the conventional definition and my revised definition. That's a gift!
  • Shoot from the hip. Read about lomography. The two combined will give you a new perspective on what you can do. Don't pigeon hole yourself by saying you suck at portraits. Redefine what portraits are to you... they don't have to be stiff pictures in a studio or people on the street. Figure out what it means for you, what you want to capture, then go out and practice until your output matches your vision. You are more than able to do that. I know it!
  • Post processing in Lightroom. For the main image, I used a preset called Hardrocker. It's free from Presets Heaven. But I pull back the intensity and use Recovery so that the colors are more true.
  • Thanks Chase! Hope you're keeping yourself encouraged along your own journey. Let me know how I can help!
  • Me too! How about next year? Same place, same month.
  • Photographers, artists, musicians, creatives in general seem to most frequently struggle with that issue. Who knows why that is? I certainly don't. But the way you describe it as an ache to capture what we really see is an apt description. I'm learning to shoot from the hip literally so people are less aware of me. It's a strategy Joe Buissink mentioned in his talk at the conference I attended. I used that strategy when necessary during this shoot.
  • You are so right Steve. It's like venturing into the unknown wielding an instrument that allows us to stop time and capture the essence of a human. Then we return to a place where we can process what we saw. One cannot exist without the other.
  • Josh Nelson
    The timing of this photo is so cool. I really love the expressions on each person's face; they're each so unique and full of life.
    Keep up the great work on your 365 day challenge. I'm loving the results I see on your blog.
  • steveinskeep
    Great perspective on what it means to be a people person, Tasra. I think the more we get out there and capture people in their natural environment, the more extroverted we become. This may be since we temporarily become a part of their environment. Then it is back to some alone time reading a book. ;)


    Great image with lots of emotion!
  • Yep. You nailed that observation of many of us. That exactly right. What is it about us photographers that make us introverted, and yet ache to capture what we really see. I've noticed that photos with people in them are quite often most interesting, but it's hard to put that camera up and shot.
  • dslanius
    Great Photo - Wish I was there!
  • Chase
    Youre rockin your blog and this pic is just sure fire proof of it. I love your blog popping up every morning for me Tasra, keep it up!
  • davidabbishaw
    I love the colours, how are you post processing to get that look?
  • I'm like you. I've never considered myself a people person, I'm too shy and anxious and sometimes I just want to be left alone. But people do fascinate me. I like to observe them. From a distance.
    Too bad I suck at portraits. And I've never been able to just grab the camera and shoot photos of people, however interesting they may look. I'm always afraid they'll notice me. ^^'
  • brianpalmer
    I'm a people Person too Tasra! Like the feel of this image, i almost want to laugh with the people in the image. Thanks in advance for the slideshow, it will be great to see.
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