Learn "power dynamics"! Discover how to snatch "untiring steel"
Question: have you ever wanted to take photos of real men, capturing the ebullience and the confidence, the intensity and untiring steel?
No? Me neither!
But, here, for the sake of self-examination and the case of tour rookie Zeke Lau, let’s ask Justin Jay, whose photos have been drizzled onto BeachGrit each day this week. Let’s talk “power dynamic!”
I’m in total control, while they remain off balance. It’s a power dynamic that some photographers relish and try to use to their advantage. I don’t enjoy it at all, it leaves me with that same jittery feeling in your gut you have while you watch a comedian bomb.
“It’s always interesting taking photos of people that are slightly nervous or uneasy in front of my camera,” says Justin. “It’s ironic that someone can battle life-threatening waves, but for a brief moment while they are in front of my lens, I’m in total control, while they remain off balance. It’s a power dynamic that some photographers relish and try to use to their advantage. I don’t enjoy it at all, it leaves me with that same jittery feeling in your gut you have while you watch a comedian bomb. I always try my best to shoot subjects in their own environment, surrounded by their friends etc. The light on the beach was gorgeous, so I asked Zeke if we could leave the Quiksilver House and walk down on the sand. It was a highly visible spot on the beach. Zeke could definitely sense all the prying eyes from everyone on higher ground. His anxiety was palpable and I felt almost guilty. The sunset lighting was breathtaking, but three frames were all that I needed. I knew that single expression I was seeing through my lens was the entire range of emotions that I was going to be able capture. I quickly nailed the shot and suggested that we head back up to the house. Once we returned to the relative privacy of his porch, his entire demeanour transformed. He was now back in his element with Reef McIntosh, Kanoa Igarahsi and the rest of this crew. I snagged another terrific shot of him laughing with the boys. After I left Hawaii and returned to NYC, he sent me a thank you note wishing me happy holidays and letting me know that he thought the portrait we took was “mental.” A true class act.