25. Strength of Character

Ralph Clevenger is a focused, levelheaded, and hardworking man. He is a photographer, author, teacher, and leader in his field. Ralph’s strength of character runs deep.

Canon 5DMii, 85mm lens, f/1.2

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER does not come easily and must be earned. It is gained through life experience and once built it’s always there.

My dad put himself through college working construction. One day, he was high up on a roof and a crane operator accidentally knocked him off. He fell into the unconstructed house below. A sheet of plywood covering an unfinished stairwell “softened” his free-fall descent.

The foreman came running expecting the worse. He saw that my dad was stunned but OK. Relieved he said, “You’re OK.” Dusting himself off my dad responded, “Yes, seems like it. No broken bones.” The foreman helped him to his feet and after a pause said, “Well, get back up there.”

A free fall is scary, but it doesn’t have to be scarring. My dad explained, “I had a choice. I could stay spooked and stay on the ground, or get over it and get back to work.” Without skipping a beat, he climbed back up the ladder.

Find What Is Buried Deep

Strong character is forged through suffering of all sorts. Whether mental, physical, or emotional, the journey is often the same. It involves an immense amount of courage to confront pain, fear, or humiliation and to keep pressing on.

Look closely and you will discover that this kind of strength resides below the surface in many people that we know, whether they are cancer survivors, mountain climbers, or someone who got back up after a fall. I’ve always been attracted to people like this. I want to know their secrets. I want to have their same resolve.

Discovering strong character requires patience because it is buried so deep. Drawing it out and capturing it on film is an even more difficult task. If you can unveil this, the rewards will change who you are. For the closer we get, and the more we see of such strength, the more it will fortify our own.

These two men are bound by something more than a hat and plaid shirt. One lives in war-torn Angola (left) and the other on a California coast ranch (right). They are worlds apart, but share a similar strength. Look closely and you can see it in their unflinching faces.

Left: Canon 5DMii, 50mm lens, f/1.2
Right: Canon 5DMii, 50mm lens, f/3

Exercise: Inner Strength

Strong character is an elusive inner quality. Capturing it requires you to strengthen your own resolve and follow an intentional path of collaboration between you and your subject. Use the steps below to help you create pictures with substance and strength.

Step 1 Select a Subject

Find a subject who inspires you because of who he or she is or because of the obstacles that the person has overcome. Start off by creating a list of family members, then coworkers, and finally people who live in your town. Next, make a few phone calls or e-mail a couple friends and ask others who they might recommend. Pick the person who embodies a strength that you would like to have.

Step 2 Contact the Subject

Reach out to the subject in a personal tone—write a note or make an impromptu call rather than sending an e-mail. With sincerity and in your own words, explain that you are working on a photography project creating portraits of people you respect. The goal is to make honest and strong pictures. Let him know it would be an honor if he would consider participating in the project.

Step 3 Scout a Location

Scout a location for the subject that will put that person at ease. Think about who he is and about what drives him most. Suggest a location to the subject and solicit location ideas from the subject as well. Then pick the location.

Step 4 Set the Stage

Choose a camera and one lens that enables you to work quickly and close. Don’t bring a camera bag or anything extra. Keep your approach simple and clean. Arrive at the location early and eager. Meet up with the subject and get through the usual chitchat for the first 5 minutes. Then begin shooting and patiently make your way. Ask the subject about his life and about what matters most. Don’t shy away from difficult questions but also don’t press too hard—strike a balance between inquiry and respect. Really listen to his story and make pictures in between his words.

Step 5 Find What Lies Beneath

At the precise moment when you feel connected with the subject during the shoot, transition to a different type of shot. Explain that you want to create a strong portrait, a deep portrait, a portrait that conveys just a bit more. Position the subject and then explain that you will point the camera and then simply wait, taking a few images when the moment is right. Ask him to take a deep breath and look your way. Don’t take a picture right away. Let him settle into his shoes. Gingerly press the shutter release and capture a few frames. Lower the camera, make eye contact, and thank him for that gift.

LEFT Every big name was once small. And they started out by digging deep and fighting their way to the top. That’s no exception here. After decades, Shawn Stussy still has the edge.

Canon 5DMii, 85mm lens, f/6

OPPOSITE Christian Beamish is an explorer, pioneer, big wave surfer, and sailor, who has been through many trials at sea. His intellect is sharp and vision strong. Here it’s unquestionable that he is as tough as nails. Compare this to the more relaxed opening shot of him in Exercise 5, page 30.

Canon 5DMii, 50mm lens, f/2.8

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

—Helen Keller