The Art of Portrait Photography

A photographic portrait is understood to be a good quality image that not only captures a person’s physical likeness on film, but also something of the person’s character, generally in a manner that is attractive and pleasing to the subject – its uniqueness.

A friend of mine referred me to this great website where you can find some amazing portraits! Only the best portrait photos are placed. All photos are reviewed and selected by the editor, and it’s truly inspirational. Subjects do not have to smile to make a good portrait. A serious or thoughtful expression can often be more revealing of character, and a better portrait.

It is truly an art! The picture must contain mood, show personality and character, allowing the viewer to draw conclusions about the person in the portrait. Capturing someone’s essence in a way…

Do I have to work in a studio?? Well, yes and no. The main reason for working in a studio is the absolute control it should allow you to have over lighting.

Outside the studio, you have to work with whatever lighting is available, although you may be able to choose the time of day and location with care, and to add your own lighting to what is already there. I like working with natural light but working in a studio allows you to reliably produce outstanding portraits.

The most useful focal lengths if using a 35mm camera (or DSLR equivalent) are from 50-210mm. You could use a wide-angle if you’re shooting a groups, interior shots, etc. if you want to use the perspective distortion they give. I am not a big fan of those. I like close-up and big close-up shots, giving a natural perspective with little distortion.

Model releases are needed if you want to use recognizable photographs of people commercially, for example in advertisements. They are generally not necessary (but may be asked for) for most editorial work, or for news photography, although privacy laws in some countries may require bystanders to have their faces covered or blurred.

You do not generally need a release for fine art photography, which would cover exhibitions and many books of photographs. If you are an artist or an amateur photographer not selling your pictures, the only area where it would probably be necessary to obtain model releases is in photographing the nude.

A model release is simply a signed statement by the person you have photographed (or the parents/guardians for children) giving you permission to use the pictures you have taken in designated ways. In some countries there has to be at least a token payment made, either in money or in kind for the release to be valid.

Time to go shooting guys!

[Via DigitalFreak.net]