Marc Isaac’s ‘Lift’ – getting to know your subject

Posted by Antonisia Schroder ASJ Photography on April 17, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

How much better is a photographic shot if you have some level of attachment to your subject? That subject will be more at ease with you and your lens, and will be more ready to do what you ask.

Of course, that comfort can sometimes lead to the subject ‘playing’ to the camera and acting in a certain way which is not always conducive to good photography, particularly good documentary photography.

Not a series of still photographic shots, but instead a short film, Marc Isaac’s ‘Lift’ is a fascinating exploration of human relationships and how complete strangers, if forced to do so by circumstance, can get to know each other and develop feelings for each other. Filmed over a period of time, the video itself is fascinating as it shows certain subjects slowly letting down their ‘guard’ and speaking to the never-seen but omniscient camera man.

His unswerving aim throughout this piece is to elicit comments from his subjects on topics that are outside their comfort zone as, when they are outside that zone, the fact they are being filmed is the last thing on their minds and they become far more natural.

This documentary shows that getting to know your subject can have all sorts of advantages in the final result being achieved. If ‘Lift’ had been shot over a few days, there is no way that the same empathy and style could have been present here.

Research:
Lift by Marc Isaacs – Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJNAvyLCTik

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