Testino Royal Pix

[specialman]

Not keen on the Snowdon-esque (traditional) posing but the 'intimate' one is a nice shot.

Couldn't care less about blown highlight (etc) - if it's a decent shot, it's a decent shot. Period.

People are too hung up on technical details these days.....

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Not keen on the Snowdon-esque (traditional) posing but the 'intimate' one is a nice shot.

Couldn't care less about blown highlight (etc) - if it's a decent shot, it's a decent shot. Period.

People are too hung up on technical details these days.....

I don't consider myself to be any kind of aurthority on portraits & my first reaction to the shots was that I admired them. But a few moments later my TP trained side kicked in & I started spotting flaws

I still think the casual shot is really effective but just think that there is no excuse for blown highlights when they are easily seen & dealt with:shrug:

 

[BlackDevil]

If you mean in the casual shot, then i'd say he wanted those highlights blown. He's exposed for the shadows (their faces) and the window behind them has provided the (nice) blown out rim light. Gives the picture a light airy feel.

 

[specialman]

If you mean in the casual shot, then i'd say he wanted those highlights blown. He's exposed for the shadows (their faces) and the window behind them has provided the (nice) blown out rim light. Gives the picture a light airy feel.

At last, someone with some sense......

 

[Starastin]

I've been looking at his work from way back and he is a hack...there's nothing remotely different about any of his images from the past ten or fifteen years. He's found a simple style (that people like) and never deviated from that.
That's my definition of a hack. They're not unpleasant even, just...a bit boring.
Even Cecil Beaton pushed the boat out a bit when he photographed King Edward and Wallis Simpson and after them, George VI and The Queen Mother (as she later became) - Just Google: Beaton; Royal Portraits...for the day, they were avant garde...

The choice will have been made by the Palace Press Office (in consultation with the Couple) as he's on the list of Palace-Approved photographers and his style is easy-going and light. My point is still that after the release of the images, everyone was and is raving about how avant garde the images are when they're nothing of the sort - they're utterly 'safe'.

totally agree.
saw these pics in much better resolution. the first one is very good, very simple but everything is neat, too neat - yes. the other one is utter crap in every way except for the lightning.

I guess that's what you do when your a famous tog - nothing.
+ the pressure of RF to make very likeable pics.

 

[pentaprison]

Is it just me, or does the formal picture look like they've been photoshopped onto the background?

Prince William's right sleeve looks particularly odd against the green seat in the background.

I'm sure it must be down to the way he has lit the shot. But it still looks strange to me.

 

[itsdavedotnet]

Is it just me, or does the formal picture look like they've been photoshopped onto the background?

Prince William's right sleeve looks particularly odd against the green seat in the background.

I'm sure it must be down to the way he has lit the shot. But it still looks strange to me.

it's very well lit imo... the perfect amount of separation...

really don't get the fuss about these guys.

Tell you what - everyone who can 'do a better job' - christmas is coming up, get snapping a romantic pic of your mum+dad / brother+wife/ you+spouse, whatever. Make yourselves some awesome and memorable romantic posed pictures that you would be content with, and report back with their favourite. I'm expecting some masterpieces. Deal?

 

[POAH]

give me the equipment and the large fancy house and sure I'll do a picture like that but without half a chandalier in it

Tell you what - everyone who can 'do a better job' - christmas is coming up, get snapping a romantic pic of your mum+dad / brother+wife/ you+spouse, whatever. Make yourselves some awesome and memorable romantic posed pictures that you would be content with, and report back with their favourite. I'm expecting some masterpieces. Deal?

 

[Arkady2]

Tell you what - everyone who can 'do a better job' - christmas is coming up, get snapping a romantic pic of your mum+dad / brother+wife/ you+spouse, whatever. Make yourselves some awesome and memorable romantic posed pictures that you would be content with, and report back with their favourite. I'm expecting some masterpieces. Deal?

Ahhh...lovely...Someone else missing the point entirely...

I never said I could do better - but I could do it just as well...that's the point - and I'm willing to bet that most pro portrait togs here could do the same - and more than a few enthusiasts as well...
Better? I know other photographers who might have made a better job - so do you...be honest about it.

The lighting in the formal shot is very straightforward and using the correct shutter speed and aperture will give the right amount of seperation from the background and balance the ambient light - this is basic stuff and any jobbing portrait tog should be capable of posing a shot like this without too much difficulty.
The informal shot is pure trademark Testino - but nothing he's not done before. For him this is a 'safe' shot - well inside his comfort zone and nothing especially challenging either.
The pressure of photographing Royalty? What pressure - they're Pros as well...they'll sit for something like this as long as it takes to get the shots needed.
What? You think he was in there on his own? You think he didn't go in with a PA and two assistants to make sure he didn't screw-up his camera settings? Plus someone from the Press Office and a couple of gofors to make the brews...

Yeah, right...

 

[jamesb84]

Ahhh...lovely...Someone else missing the point entirely...

I never said I could do better - but I could do it just as well...that's the point - and I'm willing to bet that most pro portrait togs here could do the same - and more than a few enthusiasts as well...
Better? I know other photographers who might have made a better job - so do you...be honest about it.

The lighting in the formal shot is very straightforward and using the correct shutter speed and aperture will give the right amount of seperation from the background and balance the ambient light - this is basic stuff and any jobbing portrait tog should be capable of posing a shot like this without too much difficulty.
The informal shot is pure trademark Testino - but nothing he's not done before. For him this is a 'safe' shot - well inside his comfort zone and nothing especially challenging either.
The pressure of photographing Royalty? What pressure - they're Pros as well...they'll sit for something like this as long as it takes to get the shots needed.
What? You think he was in there on his own? You think he didn't go in with a PA and two assistants to make sure he didn't screw-up his camera settings? Plus someone from the Press Office and a couple of gofors to make the brews...

Yeah, right...

Got to agree here Rob...these are AVERAGE shots. This is arguably the biggest Royal story of recent years and will be until we get a coronation. I was once taught by a very experienced photographer that you get the safe stuff done quickly and then you are free to experiment.

Unfortunately that's something Testino has NEVER done to my knowledge. He sticks with the safe stuff and thats it.

There are some technical slipups here, and we do know he'll have had a number of fawning sychophantic assistants and PR people with him, so there really isn't an excuse for buggering it up with the technical bits.

Totally agree with your pressure comment too...people who get photographed for a living know how it works. Compare and contrast three jobs I did last week... 2 of them were for major players in sport, who have been photographed numerous times (Nathan Cleverly and David James - if you don't follow sport, then google them). Both of them picked up exactly what I wanted them to do, and were happy to keep posing even while I fiddled with lighting and settings. Proper pro's...happy to stand/sit and keep smiling until I told them to stop.

Third job was a "behind the scenes" guy...very tricky and very challenging involving a lot more help with his poses, getting him to stop talking for 5 seconds so he didn't look like he'd just had a stroke in the photos etc.

If you're used to it, there's no pressure and it's the easiest job in the world...which brings me right back around to the first point which is...get the safe shots early then experiment! With two seasoned subjects like these two, you could spend hours playing around.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

The informal shot is pure trademark Testino - but nothing he's not done before. For him this is a 'safe' shot - well inside his comfort zone and nothing especially challenging either.

I'd imagine he was just following the client's brief, to produce a standard royal portrait plus another shot in the style of his Diana ones, nothing challenging requested, nothing challenging delivered.

On a side note, am I the only one who finds the whole "Dianafication" of Ms Middleton a bit distasteful?

 

[jamesb84]

I'd imagine he was just following the client's brief, to produce a standard royal portrait plus another shot in the style of his Diana ones, nothing challenging requested, nothing challenging delivered.

On a side note, am I the only one who finds the whole "Dianafication" of Ms Middleton a bit distasteful?

But that's what changes a jobbing photographer into an excellent photographer...you fulfill the brief and then exceed it with some experimentation. If you're good enough, then you'll be able to think further than the brief and give the PR people something they didn't even know they wanted!

And yes, the "dianafication" (good word by the way) is slightly distateful...also, just want to say a big thanks to you for all the kit you've supplied...it's getting good use recently and drawing a lot of attention from my employers!

 

[JonathanRyan]

This is brilliant.

Lots of people sitting around talking about how boring safe and downright AVERAGE Mr Testino is.

Meanwhile, last time I checked, he was the one with the Gulfstream.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

But that's what changes a jobbing photographer into an excellent photographer...you fulfill the brief and then exceed it with some experimentation.

That's my point though, the brief (I'm sure) wasn't to provide anything "experimental" or "different", just the standard shot and the Dianaesque one.

Having said that, for all we know there are also a series of shots of the pair of them jumping off the furniture and swigging from cans of Special Brew...

 

[itsdavedotnet]

Ahhh...lovely...Someone else missing the point entirely...

wasn't aimed at you, it was aimed at everyone in this thread moping on about how all of tp could do better apparently...especially the people branding it as 'utter crap' or 'the lighting being strange'...

 

[Arkady2]

wasn't aimed at you, it was aimed at everyone in this thread moping on about how all of tp could do better apparently...especially the people branding it as 'utter crap' or 'the lighting being strange'...

OK - no offense taken - I certainly didn't say they were utter crap: just that these shots are average or 'good enough', but nothing to get overly excited about - I was amazed watching on BBC and Sky news how all the Royal Watchers were fawning over these pictures as if they were the most amazing images ever...

Flash - there's following the clients' brief then there's extracting from that brief the implied tasks inherent in a job like this.
Any idiot can read a brief - it seems it takes a better man than Testino to draw something special out of an event like this.


Ah yes - the Dianification - I'm staggered she accepted 'that ring' - I bet she's really sitting there thinking: Cheapskate ******* - buy me my own sodding ring - I don't want your psycho-mother's cast-offs...
(I met her a couple of times on official functions: our group assessment was: 'hot but damaged' - the general consensus was that she could 'be had' with the right amount of booze and smarm applied...)

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Flash - there's following the clients' brief then there's extracting from that brief the implied tasks inherent in a job like this.
Any idiot can read a brief - it seems it takes a better man than Testino to draw something special out of an event like this.

I'd doubt they wanted anything "special", I'm pretty sure they'll have exactly what they wanted, a set of pictures taken by a particular photographer, in the style of a set he did previously for them.

 

[Arkady2]

I'd doubt they wanted anything "special", I'm pretty sure they'll have exactly what they wanted, a set of pictures taken by a particular photographer, in the style of a set he did previously for them.

Which was exactly what they got: safe, boring 'same old' shots - certainly not the breathtaking and stunningly cutting-edge images the TV pundits have been raving about...

 

[POAH]

our group assessment was: 'hot but damaged' - the general consensus was that she could 'be had' with the right amount of booze and smarm applied...)

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I would say Testino judged the situation perfectly and Gave the Customers exactly what they needed.

They are as clearly comfortable with him as he is with them. As a result the shots, though carefully composed and lit, are relaxed warm and as outgoing as I have seen in "Royal" shoots.

I rather doubt, given the same opportunity, any one here would have taken more suitable Photographs.

Photographically, originality and ...Good...Better...Best ... do not apply in these situations as the uses of the shots are tightly proscribed.

I would say the brief has been met quite immaculately.

 

[Arkady2]

*yawn*

 

[HoppyUK]

That's my point though, the brief (I'm sure) wasn't to provide anything "experimental" or "different", just the standard shot and the Dianaesque one.

Having said that, for all we know there are also a series of shots of the pair of them jumping off the furniture and swigging from cans of Special Brew...

Exactly. Testino got the job to do what he does best, and he did it.

From my brief experience as a professional photographer, I quickly learned that the picture taking part was generally very easy. And if you did stray from the brief to experiment a bit, the cleint didn't like it. It was more to say 'I can do this as well you know' with the next job in mind.

And as a famous F1 driver once said (probably Schumacher) part of the skill of winning is to get yourself a seat in the fastest car. Testino is a world champion talent at that.

And the special brew shots, that'll be Harry

 

[jamesb84]

*yawn*

As has been said...any idiot can read a brief. The brief has been met...the real skill comes in giving the client something they hadn't even thought about!

 

[BlackDevil]

As has been said...any idiot can read a brief. The brief has been met...the real skill comes in giving the client something they hadn't even thought about!

You know what, he probably has done that. We're just never going to see it! A lot of his Diana stuff was unreleased (at the time).

For those interested, you can still see his bbc documentary here:

http://www.mariotestino.com/page/462

 

[Flash In The Pan]

As has been said...any idiot can read a brief. The brief has been met...the real skill comes in giving the client something they hadn't even thought about!

I think you're missing the point though, the who reasoning behind using Testino is solely to produce an image that is in the same style as his Diana ones. If they'd wanted to produce anything new or exciting then I'm sure some up and coming new photographer would have been chosen instead.

 

[jamesb84]

You know what, he probably has done that. We're just never going to see it! A lot of his Diana stuff was unreleased (at the time).

For those interested, you can still see his bbc documentary here:

http://www.mariotestino.com/page/462

But then it's not what the client wanted is it?! I do "behind-the-scenes" shots, and a lot of them don't see light of day, however, you do get them ocassionally.

Have a read of Neil Turner's (ex. TES photographer and head of the BPPA) blog. He is a strong advocate of giving the client something extra...sometimes they love that shot so much that they chose it over the other more prescriptive stuff...unfortunately that hasn't happened here for whatever reason.

 

[jamesb84]

I think you're missing the point though, the who reasoning behind using Testino is solely to produce an image that is in the same style as his Diana ones. If they'd wanted to produce anything new or exciting then I'm sure some up and coming new photographer would have been chosen instead.

No, no, I got the point...I suppose that even if you've been picked because of your reputation, I'd still be tempted to think outside the box a little.

I think a large part of this issue is the "client" in this case.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

But then it's not what the client wanted is it?! I do "behind-the-scenes" shots, and a lot of them don't see light of day, however, you do get them ocassionally.

Have a read of Neil Turner's (ex. TES photographer and head of the BPPA) blog. He is a strong advocate of giving the client something extra...sometimes they love that shot so much that they chose it over the other more prescriptive stuff...unfortunately that hasn't happened here for whatever reason.

How do you know Testino didn't take a series of more adventurous shots and the couple preferred these?

 

[BlackDevil]

But then it's not what the client wanted is it?! I do "behind-the-scenes" shots, and a lot of them don't see light of day, however, you do get them ocassionally.

We know what the client wanted because we've seen the pictures. But how do you know he hasn't shot a lot more portraits of the couple in more risque poses? He might have had the naked sharing a tub of ice cream, and they might love it, but we're not going to see them!

I've shot 'behind the scenes' on the Lewis Hamilton/Fernando Alonso Tag Heuer ads. You only ever see one shot on the advert but the photographer shot tons more stuff on about three different sets.

 

[Radiohead]

no it won't

On the basis that you hadn't heard of him until yesterday, that seems a fair old leap.

I'm with Mr Ryan on this one. He was hired because they knew exactly what they'd get, and they got it.

 

[jabbermack]

According to Vogue "Mario Testino makes anyone he photographs look the best they ever will. That's part of his magic."

Paul Daniels is a magician, and we all know how crap he is.

 

[Starastin]

This is brilliant.

Lots of people sitting around talking about how boring safe and downright AVERAGE Mr Testino is.

Meanwhile, last time I checked, he was the one with the Gulfstream.

so what ? :shrug:

because of that we have to love him ?

I've never ever understood what's the fuss is about him.

 

[Radiohead]

so what ? :shrug:

because of that we have to love him ?

I've never ever understood what's the fuss is about him.

Nope - but it does show that plenty do love him, and pay him very handsomely for what he does.

First rule of being a pro - accept that some people won't like what you do.

Second rule - realise that as long as those paying do, the rest is gravy.

I see it this way. I'm hired on the strength of what I've done before. People want that same thing at their wedding, or with their families. If I rock up and do something totally different on a paid gig I'm likely to end up with hacked off clients, and a shortening list of referrals and testimonials. You sell what you show. If I want to experiment then I'll do it on my time when it doesn't matter and if something works then I may or may not begin to slowly integrate it into my paid work. To suddenly change course and deliver something massively different to everything done before when that's not the brief is commercial suicide.

It's no different at his level of work (which is several leagues above mine). He's booked for what he's done in the past and will continue to do. The technical side is one part. Read about how much people enjoy working with him and you begin to see how under-appreciated that aspect is.

 

[Wobbler]

Ah yes - the Dianification - I'm staggered she accepted 'that ring' - I bet she's really sitting there thinking: Cheapskate ******* - buy me my own sodding ring - I don't want your psycho-mother's cast-offs...

It wouldn't surprise me if that was just a stunt 'for the public...' cos we all loved her so much (after she died, anyway - before that, ISTR she was given more flak by the tabloids than just about anyone in history, funny how death canonises people...) and I'd be AMAZED if she didn't have a 'proper' ring, made for her specifically.

(I met her a couple of times on official functions: our group assessment was: 'hot but damaged' - the general consensus was that she could 'be had' with the right amount of booze and smarm applied...)

LMFAO! She's getting porked by the future King of England! You really think you lot could turn her head with a few glasses of Pinot and a 'drop yer trolleys!' - hahahaha, course you could!

I'd love to see the shots taken that weren't used....

 

[Starastin]

Nope - but it does show that plenty do love him, and pay him very handsomely for what he does.

First rule of being a pro - accept that some people won't like what you do.

Second rule - realise that as long as those paying do, the rest is gravy.

I see it this way. I'm hired on the strength of what I've done before. People want that same thing at their wedding, or with their families. If I rock up and do something totally different on a paid gig I'm likely to end up with hacked off clients, and a shortening list of referrals and testimonials. You sell what you show. If I want to experiment then I'll do it on my time when it doesn't matter and if something works then I may or may not begin to slowly integrate it into my paid work. To suddenly change course and deliver something massively different to everything done before when that's not the brief is commercial suicide.

It's no different at his level of work (which is several leagues above mine). He's booked for what he's done in the past and will continue to do. The technical side is one part. Read about how much people enjoy working with him and you begin to see how under-appreciated that aspect is.

loads love him because he delivers very good easy style pics.
And there can only be one easy king tog. as well as only one pervy - Richardson etc, etc.

I guess I like to see something more than a safe pic. yes, he probably is the best tog to work in person etc.

but as a photography lover, Nick Knight (for example) speaks to me more.

And there have been loads of great togs who have photographed royal family alone and without the super marketing that MT has. each has its own way I guess.

He's like Richard Branson in photography.

 

[Arkady2]

LMFAO! She's getting porked by the future King of England! You really think you lot could turn her head with a few glasses of Pinot and a 'drop yer trolleys!' - hahahaha, course you could! ....

I was referring, of course, to Diana, after the separation and after the 'Hewitt' phase...

Or do you think he was the only 'uniform' who went there...?

 

[Wobbler]

I was referring, of course, to Diana, after the separation and after the 'Hewitt' phase...

Or do you think he was the only 'uniform' who went there...?

Aaaaah, thought you meant KM.

Di? Sheeeeeet, thats no boast, even I've had her!

 

[andya700]

This is brilliant.

Lots of people sitting around talking about how boring safe and downright AVERAGE Mr Testino is.

Meanwhile, last time I checked, he was the one with the Gulfstream.

Is that all its about then, the one who ends up with the executive jet, and then rests on his laurels for the rest of his career (or until someone sees through him, and challenges the fact that he has stopped "delivering").
These picture are very average to say the least. You have two wonderful, attractive subjects, in a fantastic setting, and the end result is a half decent shot with a messy background, and another shot with a window frame sticking at an odd angle out of a head.
If any of us posted portrait shots like that on here, we would be crucified.
They are royalty (and royalty to be), not celebrities, and the images should reflect that, not the hurried snapshots shown here.

 

[boyfalldown]

Is that all its about then, the one who ends up with the executive jet, and then rests on his laurels for the rest of his career (or until someone sees through him, and challenges the fact that he has stopped "delivering").
These picture are very average to say the least. You have two wonderful, attractive subjects, in a fantastic setting, and the end result is a half decent shot with a messy background, and another shot with a window frame sticking at an odd angle out of a head.
If any of us posted portrait shots like that on here, we would be crucified.
They are royalty (and royalty to be), not celebrities, and the images should reflect that, not the hurried snapshots shown here.

or maybe he shot what was asked, did a perfectly good job of it and didn't give any of the 10,001 experts (who doubtless will look at these for any body language etc..........) anything to pick up on.

eta I think 'hurried snapshots' is a bit much

 

[DerekL]

Is that all its about then, the one who ends up with the executive jet, and then rests on his laurels for the rest of his career (or until someone sees through him, and challenges the fact that he has stopped "delivering").
These picture are very average to say the least. You have two wonderful, attractive subjects, in a fantastic setting, and the end result is a half decent shot with a messy background, and another shot with a window frame sticking at an odd angle out of a head.
If any of us posted portrait shots like that on here, we would be crucified.
They are royalty (and royalty to be), not celebrities, and the images should reflect that, not the hurried snapshots shown here.

Got to admit it would work for me