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Leave the interpretation open

Giving clues to a sitter’s occupation, interests or personality is usually one of the goals of a successful portrait. But the opposite approach can also be fun – intriguing or even confusing the viewer as to an image’s meaning. This offers the advantage that the image can become a conversation piece for viewers, giving a portrait a higher and more prolonged level of interest than a more conventional shot. The technique is the opposite of giving clues to the personality and interests of your sitter; it is about creating a fiction or fantasy that has lots of visual interest but does not communicate any obvious meaning. You might create a scene that is lit in an unnatural or unconventional manner, or include props that do not match the setting or objects that appear incongruous when placed together.

MYSTERY

The concept of this image was to create a very mysterious portrait with a low-key, dark and sombre setting. The choice of a churchyard as the location was a great start for helping to evoke an eerie and even sinister feeling. The subject’s attire is designed to bring an extra twist to the image. The bowler hat is a very unusual prop as it is so strongly associated with male clothing. The black velvet cloak is imposing and also contrasts strongly with the model’s long blonde hair. The strong, directional light on the subject’s face adds contrast and provides a clear focal point for the viewer’s eye to settle on.

Canon EOS 5, 28–70mm lens, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, Kodak TMax 400 b&w film.