Notes 3 PortraitNotes 3 - Portrait Photographyg p y

“A portrait! What could be more simple and more complex more obviouscomplex, more obvious and more profound.” -

Charles Baudelaire“P t it i i d t“Portraiture is a window to

the soul”Holding Virgina - Sally Mann

T f P iTypes of Portraits When we speak of portrait photography in general terms there's a tendency toWhen we speak of portrait photography in general terms there s a tendency to overlook the sub-categories. From the strictly formal to the candid street shot. Here is a range of the more common types of portrait photography.

Candid PosedFormalCoupleEnvironmentalSportingSportingChildrenGroup

Candidd do un-posed and

unplanned photo

P dPosed Communication Communication

between photographer and the subject about the bod positionthe body position and expression

FormalC i ti b t Communication between photographer and the subject regarding clothing, location, style

d dand mood

Couple Interpretation of a relationship Interpretation of a relationship

between two people

Hiroshima, August of 1945

Small GroupInterpretation of a Interpretation of acommon bond between members of a group

Environmental An environmental portrait shows the subject(s) in their own An environmental portrait shows the subject(s) in their own

territory.

Sporting shows the subject with their uniform shows the subject with their uniform,

equipment in their sporting environment. The important factor is to let the equipment and

location tell part of the story.

Children

Portrait Tips Choosing the Right Background Choosing the Right Background Focus on the Eyes Lighting, Lighting and more Lighting

Change the Format Framing Change the Format Framing Alter Your Perspective Experiment with Subject Expressions

“Pl ” ith f “Play” with focus Give Your Subject Space to Look Into Reflection & Shadow Movement Get serious

Choosing the Right Background

Focus on the Eyes“the eyes are the window to the soul”

Lighting, Lighting and more Lighting Lighting is the most important element in any photo composition Lighting is the most important element in any photo composition

and sets the mood, feeling and character of your photo.

Change the Format Framing Mix your framing

Alter Your Perspective completely

change the l th tangle that you

shoot from

Experiment with Subject Expressions

Same shot+different focus=different story

(UN)FocusIt dd It adds some mystery y yto the image

Give Your Subject Space to Look Into

Reflection & Shadow

Movement Use movement

to show action, if it bleven if it blurs

out the subject ti lentirely.

Get serious Not all

portraits need to ha eneed to have a smile, capture thecapture the serious emotions too

but not too serious….