Contrasting smiles

"Bridget Niedermeyer, a senior speech pathology and audiology major at Towson University, discusses some of the advantages of her cochlear implant that helps her hear better in her Towson home, Jan. 25, 2008. Niedermeyer was diagnosed as almost completely deaf at age 4, but has worked hard to make hearing aids and reading lips work so she could remain in mainstream classes all throughout school."

Last week I encountered a difficult portrait subject. The subject didn't like having their picture taken or the idea of pictures to begin with.

Granted a lot of people do not like having pictures taken of them, it was still very odd that they didn't even like cameras.

It was suppose to be a straightforward portrait, and although it only lasted 10 minutes, in and out the door, it felt like a life time.

I tried breaking their nervousness and tension by talking to them, no camera in hand. Didn't work. So I forced a portrait and a smile out of them since their story was positive. The person didn't even like smiling. I was so frustrated; I really couldn't think of what I could have done to make the session more successful.

When I walked out the door, I hated the mindless image I had produced. However, a day later I would erase the poor image (in my mind) from my aching head.

This time instead of a one-on-one portrait, I was instructed to shoot images during the interview. While these don't always give a photographer the freedom to be creative, they still produce something different and a lot of emotion.

I've had subjects break down into tears as they told their story and struggles to a reporter. I've also had them tear up joyfully as they told a great moment in their life.

Bridget Niedermeyer, above, had nothing but a huge smile on her face the entire interview, which matched her story perfect.

She is senior speech pathology and audiology major at Towson University, and during the interview discussed some of the advantages of her cochlear implant that now helps her hear better. She was diagnosed as almost completely deaf at age 4, but has worked hard to make hearing aids and reading lips work so she could remain in mainstream classes all throughout school.

It was fulfilling to listen how hard she had worked to better herself and be happy, but more satisfying voiding the other difficult subject from my mind. What was also very cool is she one of many deaf people entering into the world audiology to help others deal with hearing loss.

OK, and the great light didn't hurt either. I am getting a bunch of assignments with great lighting; I am scared for what is ahead of me. I can see the assignment now:

DATE to be taken: 4/1
TIME to be taken: 2 a.m.
LOCATION: Lake Vostok (The coldest, darkest place on Earth)
SUMMARY/NEWSHOOK: Please shoot photos at ISO 100 ONLY. Please, no flash.

That would be funny.

On a side note, look for a design change this weekend. Also, if you encounter any dead links on the blog, please let me know. Thanks.