Introduction
Over the years I have tried just about every branch of photography, from product shots of three-piece suites to landscape and even aerial photography. However, my natural passion for people has driven me to specialize in portraiture. I enjoy all aspects of portrait photography, almost without exception, from capturing the endearing first smiles of a baby to the challenges of a more formally composed corporate portrait. I even enjoy covering weddings, with all the pressure of highly charged emotions and limited time that they bring.
I believe that to be a good portrait photographer, you must be in touch with your feelings and emotions. It is vital that you are able to form a relationship with your subject so that they feel comfortable with you taking pictures of them. If the atmosphere in the session is stiff and awkward, your subjects will communicate this in their pose and expression, and there is no chance that you will get the sort of warm and relaxed portraits you’re after. I sometimes feel that the success of a session ultimately has more to do with interpersonal skills and psychology than it does with technical know-how.
That is not to say that you don’t need technique though, and, as with all genres of photography, light is everything. Early in my studies I learnt that expanding my knowledge of lighting enabled me to tackle portraits, even in the most difficult situations, with a greater degree of confidence. My consequent study of light has led to a fascination that still consumes me today. I am constantly in awe of the lighting masters, and still hungry for knowledge. I believe that you could study lighting for a lifetime and still run out of time.
This book covers a diverse range of styles, techniques, ideas and tips, the majority of which do not involve complex or expensive equipment and are therefore within the reach of any keen photographer. I hope that this will provide some enlightenment and inspiration and help you take better portraits. I wish you every success with your portraiture.
Bjorn Thomassen
Photography dominates my life, both at home and at work. When I’m not writing about it, I’m reading about it or – best of all – taking pictures. Although I am keen on all types of photography, I am most passionate about portraiture. I certainly get a buzz from shooting landscapes, still lifes and other subjects, but nothing comes close to the excitement and enjoyment of taking portraits. Why? Well, among other things, it’s great to receive a positive reaction from the subjects themselves, and satisfying to capture a moment in somebody’s life. Above all though, I find people incredibly interesting. I am a naturally gregarious person, and although I enjoy the solitude that comes with shooting scenics or nature, I far prefer interacting with other people.
I also think that portraiture is a challenging and stimulating form of photography. There is far more to taking a portrait than simply pointing the camera at your subject and pressing the shutter. A good portrait reveals something of the subject’s character, whether it’s a mood, a hint of humour, or some other aspect of their personality or lifestyle. The skill to revealing this is in how you interact with the subject; if you can gain their trust and put them at ease, you’re halfway there.
Although equipment is important, don’t be fooled into thinking you need expensive gear. Most of the techniques covered in this book were purposely selected to be achievable with modest equipment. Whether you use film or digital, you will find the majority of these images within your grasp. Finally, with image manipulation now an accepted part of the picture-forming process, we have also covered some useful Photoshop techniques to help polish up your images.
I hope that you will find this book interesting, inspiring, and a useful aid to improving your portrait photography. If you do, and you would like some further advice and practical experience, then join Bjorn and me on one of our photo workshops, which we hold in the UK and USA. It would be great to meet you. If you have any queries, feel free to email me and I will try to help.
All the best with your portrait photography!
Daniel Lezano
