One of the toughest parts of photography isn’t mastering camera settings or lighting setups—it’s actually about keeping the person you're photographing engaged. Your excitement doesn't automatically transfer, so learning how to clearly convey your ideas becomes essential.
Coming to you from Glyn Dewis, this insightful video focuses on the practical challenge of communicating your vision effectively to the person you're photographing. Dewis shares how, early on, he struggled because his subjects often seemed disconnected from the shoot. It wasn’t because they lacked interest, but because he wasn't clearly illustrating what he wanted to achieve. Dewis discovered that showing a visual reference, rather than relying solely on verbal descriptions, dramatically changed the subjects’ involvement. He illustrates this by explaining how sharing classic bodybuilding photographs from the 1960s and 70s immediately resonated with physique models, prompting enthusiasm where previously there was hesitation.
Dewis expands his advice by recommending photographers build a collection of inspiring reference images. Using examples from Pinterest and referencing renowned photographers like Annie Leibovitz, he emphasizes the impact these visuals have on subjects' understanding and enthusiasm. He highlights one particular experience, recreating a famous portrait of actors Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen for two members of the Bearded Villains group. Dewis notes how presenting this specific photo transformed his subjects’ attitudes, resulting in a more productive and engaging shoot. The shift he describes isn't subtle—people visibly change when they can clearly see themselves in the proposed concept.
What stands out about Dewis’s approach is how it extends into his personal workflow using Adobe Firefly, an AI tool that generates visual concepts from simple text descriptions. He demonstrates how using AI-generated images helps bridge the gap when no suitable reference photo exists. By quickly turning abstract ideas into concrete visuals, this method significantly simplifies explaining concepts to subjects. Dewis describes creating a Viking-themed image using Firefly, detailing the ease and effectiveness of crafting a rough visual outline this way. He recounts how dramatically his subject's energy and involvement increased upon seeing the AI-generated reference. This transformation illustrates the practical value of integrating straightforward, accessible AI tools into your photography preparation process. Dewis emphasizes this method doesn't compromise creativity—rather, it streamlines the communication of creative ideas, saving time and reducing misunderstandings. For photographers who regularly face the challenge of clearly articulating their concepts to subjects, this method could be a genuine game changer. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dewis.
