Photo Exhibition Blog

Some people become self-conscious the moment you point a lens at them. Learn a few tips to overcome the situation.

A portrait as opposed to a happy snap is a set-out picture where the stated purpose is to remember someone for posterity. The background has been chosen, the subject has selected the appropriate clothes and the setting is an environment of your own choosing. Despite all this preparation the outcome can be derailed if the person has had bad experiences with photos in the past or keep saying negative things about themselves.

One good approach is to setup your camera on a tripod and use a remote shutter release. Once the focus and framing of the image has been done, you can engage the subject in conversation. Move to the side of the camera and do some small talk, taking as many shots as the subject relaxed face will allow. What should you be talking about? Anything but photography, of course!

One certain stress factor that could ruin all your efforts is the appearance behind the camera of some unexpected stranger having eye contact with your subject. The person being photographed could feel like a fool - being the subject of all this attention (the lights, the tripod, the attire, etc...) rule of thumb: lock the door or make sure you will not be disturbed.

Portraits need to be differentiated from instant photography by presenting their subject in their environment. Take the portrait of a hairdresser in his salon holding comb and scissors. Take the portrait of a homemaker in her kitchen presenting her home cooking with pride. Take the picture of a student in school uniform sitting at a desk, chewing the end of a pencil in front of an assignment.

A way to give depth to a portrait is to convert the image to black and white. Another way is to include symbolism into the image. Are there special items which people would instantly associate with the person? The composition of your frame is paramount. Think of a foreground before the person and a background behind the subject.

Outdoors can be great pieces of portraiture. Rolling hills in the tradition of master painters will certainly give a grandiose setting. Don't just rock up there impromptu. Go beforehand with a friend to investigate the best spot. What is the best time of the day in regard to lighting conditions? Should you use open flash to remove shadows from the face? (You don't want to turn your subject's nose into a sundial...)