Portraits

By Chloe Maddox

Portraits have been used to document the human form since the beginning of mankind. From the oh-so popular cave paintings, to the painted portraits hanging on the wall, to the endless selfies in your camera roll. Regardless, a portrait is timeless, something that represents the subject and tells a story. It is important that you capture the essence of your subject and make it something that properly communicates the mood and their personality. An easy way to do this is to use lighting and the right positioning.

 

If you want your subject to look like they’re in power:

The easiest, and most effective way I’ve found to make your subject look powerful is by using an upward angle. It makes sense because often when someone’s in power, they are looked up to. It’s pretty self explanatory, however to achieve this look, you position your model and kneel by them. This upward angle will result in the ultimate power shot. Since this is more of a positioning strategy, there’s not really a photographer that focuses on this particular method however the shot of two women by Tamia really shows how to use the power pose perfectly.

If you want your subject to look like they’re pure:

Light plays a huge role in photography and it’s especially important in the quest of capturing innocence. We often associate light with purity, as it shows vulnerability and softness which makes it the perfect tool to provoke  an image. Someone who does an amazing job of this is Petra Collins. She uses light in a way that creates the most stunning pictures, whether it be with colorful, studio lighting or natural lighting.

If you want your subject to be the center of attention:

The best way to make your subject seem like the center of attention is by either making sure they stand out from the background by using juxtaposition or getting rid of the background by using depth of field. If you go the juxtaposition route, place your subject in front of a totally contrasting background so they completely stand out. By doing this, you demand the attention of the audience and they’re automatically drawn to the subject. If you decide to use depth of field, which I would recommend, place your subject close to the camera, not too close or they’ll be the ones blurred out, but where the camera focuses in on them. Modern technology like iPhones do a great job at doing this automatically but even with manual cameras, depth of field is easily attainable. Photographer Kya Lou does an stellar job of using depth of field, exemplified in her beautiful portraits.

 

The next time you go to take a picture, keep these strategies in mind and hopefully you’ll be able  capture some great shots. So go out, grab a friend and shoot an image that truly encapsulates them as a person.

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