| Portrait photography can be honed to a fine art, but | | | | family and friends to formal, posed pictures of people |
| it is also the easiest way for a novice photographer | | | | for newspapers and magazines. While studio portraits |
| to enter the profession. At the most basic level, it | | | | are most common, portraits can also be taken |
| only requires the ability take good pictures of people, | | | | outdoors or in an office or home environment that |
| especially of the face. But, as any established | | | | reflects the subject's personality. Studio portraits are |
| photographer will tell you, to really make a mark in | | | | preferred because they allow a photographer |
| portrait photography, you need that extra indefinable | | | | complete control over the picture and lighting. A |
| quality that makes a truly great picture. | | | | serious portrait photographer will make it a point to |
| A photographic portrait captures not only the physical | | | | learn everything there is to know about lighting and |
| likeness of a person but also reflects something of | | | | use his skills effectively. |
| the subject's personality. So while a portrait | | | | The good portrait photographer has to have |
| photographer has to excel at lighting and composition, | | | | immense patience. He cannot just look through his |
| he also has to be able to capture a distinctive facet | | | | lens and hope to get a great picture. His subjects can |
| of the subject's character, something that will set his | | | | range from fidgety children to weary senior citizens, |
| face apart from the crowd. To do that, a | | | | and he must be able to judge what aspect of the |
| photographer must have excellent people skills. He | | | | subject truly says something about him. He might |
| must be able to establish a rapport with his subjects | | | | have to spend considerable time just talking to the |
| and put them at ease so that they allow something | | | | subject and watching his reactions. A fabulous shot |
| unique about themselves to flow through into the | | | | may result in five minutes or take a couple of hours |
| picture. | | | | to emerge. The good photographer knows it's not |
| Portrait photography can range from candid shots of | | | | just a matter of making faces! |