Indholdsfortegnelse for Portraiture i Portraiture

Portraiture has a long history dating back to pre-historic times. Photography has been used for portraiture since the middle of the 19th century when daguerreotypes became popular with educated middle-class citizens because they were excitingly new and accessible. In contrast, the upper classes retained their traditional preferences for oil paintings. Busy people found the combination of relatively short sitting times and lower overall costs of a daguerreotype irresistible. Interestingly, silver halide photography, which evolved at the same time, had the advantage of being infinitely reproducible – and both safer and cheaper. Early portrait photographers like Julia Margaret Cameron and Edward S. Curtis gained prominence in the 19th century, followed by Philippe Halsman, Dorothea Lange, Richard Avedon and Arnold Newman as well as the many less-famous photographers who worked for the…

Some people are happy to pose for the camera, while others are more hesitant and a few are really reluctant to have their picture taken thinking they’re ‘not photogenic’. Yet few things are more rewarding for a portrait photographer than creating a striking image of somebody who previously felt they looked horrible in photos. Few people are aware that being photogenic depends more on how someone behaves in front of the camera than their actual appearance. Relaxed and confident subjects make it easier for the photographer to find the characteristic angles, poses and lighting that will highlight the subject’s personality and strengths. It is these factors that make a ‘real’ portrait. In this chapter we provide some tips on building subjects’ confidence and obtaining the best outcomes from a shooting…

Electronic flash is such a convenient and easy-to-use light source that even basic cameras come with built-in flash tubes. In contrast, most smartphones have built-in LED lights that can be used for taking still pictures as well as shooting movies. Both light sources are largely interchangeable and both normally illuminate subjects directly from the camera, which can be problematic, as outlined in the box on the next page. Built-in flashes may be easy to use, but their results are often disappointing. They’re also totally unsuitable for use when shooting video. Because the small Zenon tubes have low light output they can’t illuminate anything beyond a metre or two away. Close to the subject their light can be quite harsh and they often produce red eyes in human subjects (an example…

Good portraits reveal aspects of a person’s identity, attitude and personality. Great portraits can reveal the “essence” of a person’s character. Portraiture starts with how to select the right equipment to ensure a successful portrait photo shoot and shows you reliable shooting techniques for all types of single and group portraits. This easy-to-follow pocket guide provides expert advice on: - cameras, lenses, lighting, focus and exposure. - candid versus format portraits. - natural versus flash/LED lighting. - how to create an ‘atmosphere’ and build a genuine rapport with the person. - the role of clothing, positioning, posture, light angles, background, and props. - how to be ready to capture spontaneous moments. - how to deal with bad behaviour, short attention spans, and varying weather conditions. - portraits of children, families,…

Although portrait photos can be taken with pretty much any camera (including smartphones), interchangeable-lens cameras generally do the best job, since they let you select an appropriate lens (see below), set the optimal exposure parameters and capture raw files to ensure you have the best starting point for processing your shots. Different types of portraiture have slightly different equipment requirements, which are outlined in this chapter. While portraitists working in studio environments are able to take advantage of large, high-resolution cameras, fast lenses and expensive lighting set-ups, the majority of photographers usually find their existing equipment can deliver satisfactory results. Their images may lack the polished, professional appearance of studio shots but they’re often much more engaging because they’re natural-looking and provide a more ‘truthful’ depiction of the subject. It…

Taking a great portrait is a lot more complicated than many people think. You have to control not only the scene and the subject(s), but also the lighting and the camera settings you use. In this chapter we look at some basic tips and techniques for avoiding common errors so you end up with photographs you’re happy to share and keep. When shooting a portrait, you are effectively translating a three-dimensional face into a flat plane of space. Positioning the camera in a way that complements the subject’s features and using appropriate camera and lens settings play key roles in the success of the resulting image. Human faces are infinitely variable with respect to age, gender and ethnic origins. Translating features like heavy brows, wrinkles and creases, pronounced noses and…

Photographing children can be challenging – and the challenges vary with different age levels. Fortunately, today’s equipment makes it relatively easy to obtain attractive portrait shots so a lot depends on the skill of the photographer and, above all else, their ability to communicate effectively with their subjects. Attending to equipment before the shoot makes it easier to concentrate on working with subjects and keeping them cheerful and co-operative. The following list provides tips on how to set up your camera for a shoot: 1. Choose an appropriate lens. Longer lenses are best if you want to fill the frame with your subject(s), while wider lenses can make it easier to capture children in a favoured environment. A 24-105mm or 24-135mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens gives you scope for shifting…

Portraiture with artificial light sources is often left to professionals, although enthusiasts sometimes set up home studios and portable equipment is available for taking lights on location shoots. Professional equipment can be costly and difficult to set up, although portable kits like the one shown on this page are available in specialist stores. There are also plenty of individual light sources in the form of flashguns and LED panels that are affordably priced and easy to carry and covered in the next chapter. You can even use a torch (or two) at a pinch. Knowing how to use light to achieve a desired look is the key to success. However, it requires more than a basic knowledge of what light sources are available. In this chapter we look at ways…