Helen Chen captures people she encounters with her camera with a very personal and intimate touch. In her images we can feel the strong rapport and relationship she builds with her subjects. She makes people relax and she makes them act naturally in front of the camera. Anyone who has tried to photograph people – and haven’t we all on some level – know how difficult that can be. In her photos the people being photograph give of themselves; her photos offer a glimpse into their spirit and character. We see them as human beings with a heart and a soul – and we see Helen in that relationship built between her and her subjects. Her photos are straightforward and without any hocus pocus – which is also their strength. They shine solely because of Helen’s strong connection with the subjects and because her subjects let her capture their humanity. In this interaction between photographer and photographed, Helen gives just as much as they do, of more precisely; they give because she does. The photos shown here is part of the personal project Helen Chen did for the eWorkshop «Finding Your Personal Voice» she attended last spring. For more of Helen’s work, go to her HHC Blog.
In Flow with Otto 
Helen is so shy about her photographs, Otto. I am so happy to see you highlight the specialness that is Helen and her photography. You do bring out everyone’s talent amazingly.
Of course, I believe that every person is fully capable of bringing out their own talent, but if I in some way can help release that talent, I am very happy.
It’s not a “if”, you have already done it. I am not saying I have talent; I am saying I consider I am a photographer and I didn’t know I could be one before taking the workshop 😉
A marvellous variety of images which have deftly captured these very different individuals. Thanks for showcasing these, and I hope Helen feels more confident about her photography!
She has all reasons to be proud of her work. And hopefully that will help boost the confidence. Thank you for the feedback, Susan.
My pleasure, Otto
I agree – these really communicate a sense of ease/comfort – love the composition of the second one with the reflection.
Thank you, Lynda.
lovely portraits, they all suit the black & white.
Yes, black and white is perfect for these images. Thank you for the feedback.
I admire her for doing this 🙂
And I love the black & white on face portraits,
it makes you look at details like wrinkels and
a glimps of laughter in the eyes much more.
Have a fine weekend
【ツ】Knipsa
Thank you, Knipsa. Have a nice weekend you, too.
People in her photos are emotional and engaged. They are part of humanity, indeed and absolutely are hard to capture!
Very much so. Thank you for the feedback.
Molto belli questi ritratti, il bianco e nero li rende ancora più belli!! Complimenti a Helen Chen.
Un caro saluto, Patrizia
Grazie mille, Patrizia – a nome di Helen.
When I am intrigued by a person , I want to get to know them better. I find that these photos have the same affect on me. Agree that black and white is suitable and think that Helen has a knack for putting people at ease.
Thank you, Jane.
Thank you, Otto. I am smiling… 😉
I have learned a lot from your workshop. Form, color… to name a few. I particularly appreciate how you patiently guided us to find our photographing voice. To be honest, I thought that was an impossible task (in my case) since I knew so little about the subject. I’m so glad that I took the workshop.
I do have a comment though… it is a long way between finding-our-photographing-voice and going-to-Cuba, don’t you think so? Maybe add another workshop? 😉
Thanks.
It’s a tricky question to answer, because I don’t want to sound like a salesperson. Literally – in terms of distance and if you don’t live in Florida, yes it’s a long way. But photographically, absolutely not. I think you would enjoy and have much to gain by participating in our Cuba workshop – or any other workshop for that matter. As to the impossible task, of course not, anyone willing to work and get engaged in developing his or her photographic sensitivity will always experience great photographic development. 🙂
I meant photographically… I feel that there is still a lot to learn before I would be ready for a workshop like the Cuba workshop. Maybe if I work hard, I will be ready someday. Thank you!
And I was definitely meaning photographically as well. We have had less experienced photographs than you on our workshops – and they have enjoyed it immensely. 🙂
those are great portraits! so unassuming yet powerful, and yes, they seem to capture the peoples’ spirits (remember how natives thought photographs stole your spirit?)
my husband used to tell me never ever to take pictures of people coz i sucked at it, then when i decided i was going to be a bad photographer (instead of a good one lol) i started taking a lot of people pics…. mostly of my husband
i had my revenge haha
You approach is very unconventional, I would say, but I think it works very well for you. Having decided to become a bad photographer probably made you relax with the photographic process, lose any pretensions and pressure, thus, resulting instead in very interesting and personal photographs.
Good morning Otto, yesterday I went to see the documentary film “Finding Vivian Maier” and was deeply impressed by her fotos. I think she was very capable, as you write here of Helen Chen,of offering with her pictures a glimpse into peoples spirit and character. Thank you all for your excellent work.:)
And thank you for the encouraging feedback, Martina. And, yes, Vivian Maier was a very special photographer and person.
Stunning portraits – they really capture the character
Thank you, Mark, on behalf of Helen.
I very much enjoyed browsing Helen’s blog, and I’m looking forward to her new project. Thanks for the introduction. The variety in the portraits you show here is quite wonderful. These are not The Beautiful People, in the sense used by marketers or merchandisers, but real people, beautiful because of an apparent strong sense of self. Being able to capture that is a real gift.
Exactly, these are real people. More beautiful than any barbie doll or ken we see in advertisements.
Very portraits ‘Nature’ – do not ask any questions and shoter …. the result is great and especially in black and white !! Have a nice week
Thank you for comment Pat, and have a nice week yourself.
These portraits reveal so much about the photographer as well as the subjects – and they naturally induce a smile from the viewer.
They are simply warm portraits, no?
Absolutely!
Helen’s portraits are wonderful. Love the monochrome for bringing out the personality of the subject. 🙂
I agree with you. Thank you for your comment, Sylvia.
What a delightful set of photos and perfect in black and white. I really enjoyed your description if this talented photographer’s work – thanks.
I am glad you liked Helen’s work. Thanks for the feedback.
Each portrait seems to unveil a layer or more of the individual. I especially like that she uses monochrome, which helps the viewer focus on her subjects. Really enjoyed her captures and perspectives.
Thank for the nice feedback, Sally.
These are splendid, insightful portraits. The importance of building rapport with the subject is one reason I do very, very few portraits. When I have that rapport, I do good work. But I want to avoid cold, soulless portrayals and thus avoid situations where this is likely to happen, and i rather loathe the trend these days to arrange the person as one element in a larger picture — sometimes even just as part of a pattern, sometimes even without showing any of their face — and call the result a “portrait.” IMO anyway, that’s pushing the boundaries of the definition of the word “portrait” beyond where it deserves to go. (Of course, I’m not referring here to the “environmental portrait” that shows the person in the context of something important to them, such as their occupation or hobby.) No, “portraits” need more of Helen’s type of work.
That was quite a dedicated comment, Nancy. I see you point, although I tend to enjoy a wider definition of “portrait”. For me that is anything that shows the character of a person in some way. But I agree, Helen’s work is an outstanding example of excellent portraits.
These are all wonderful photos!
I happy you like Helen’s pictures. Thank you for the feedback, Elizabeth.
Great job! Black and white always makes portraits so interesting!
Black and white gives photography a special expression, that’s for sure. Thank you, Barbara.
Beautiful portraits. And you can feel the connection, indeed.
Thank you for the comment.
Helen’s work is so heart felt and genuine. I’m so happy to see you highlight her work.
And I am happy that you like her work. Thank you, Tree.
Helen must be a special person to bring about these wonderful results. Humanity captured indeed!
It takes an open mind and an observing photographer to take photos like this, indeed.
So good. I can’t even pick a favorite. Well done, Helen!
Thank you, Elen.
An attractive series of portraits. Thanks for showing us Helen’s work.
I am glad you liked her work, Andrew.