Portraiture
The craft of representing a person in a single still image or ‘portrait’ is to be considered a skilled and complex task. The photographic portrait (just as the painted portrait that infl uenced the genre) is not a candid or captured moment of the active person but a crafted image to reveal character. The person being photographed for a portrait should be made aware of the camera’s presence even if they are not necessarily looking at the camera when the photograph is made.
This requires that the photographer connect and communicate with any individual if the resulting images are to be considered portraits. Portraits therefore should be seen as a collaborative effort on the part of the photographer and subject. A good photographic portrait is one where the subject no longer appears a stranger.
Environment
The physical surroundings included in a portrait offer enormous potential to extend or enhance the communication. Just as facial expression, body posture and dress are important factors, the environment plays a major role in revealing the identity of the individual.
Design
Choosing a suitable background or backdrop for the portrait can greatly influence the final design of the image. Using a plain backdrop with limited detail can retain focus on the individual being photographed whilst choosing an informative location can extend the communication and design possibilities. If the photographer is to reveal any connection between the subject and the background the two elements must be carefully framed together. Vantage point and the relationship and connection between foreground and background become major design considerations for the portrait photograph.
Format
The choice of vertical or horizontal framing and the placement of the subject within the frame will affect the quantity of the background that can be viewed in the image. A centrally placed subject close to the camera will limit the background information. This framing technique tends to be overused but should not be ruled out for creating successful portraits. The horizontal format is common when creating environmental portraits. Using the portrait format for environmental portraits usually requires the photographer to move further back from the subject so that background information is revealed.
Composing two or more people within the frame for a portrait can be difficult. The physical space between people can become very significant in the way we read the image. For a close-up portrait of two people the space between them can become an uncomfortable design element. Careful choice of vantage point or placement of the subjects is often required to achieve a tight composition, making optimum use of the space within the frame.
The situation most often encountered is where two people sit or stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder. If approached face on (from the front) the space between the two people can seem great. This can be overcome by shooting off to one side or staggering the individuals from the camera. The considerations for design are changed with additional subjects.
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