| Photographing a portrait is both very easy and very | | | | must evoke respect in the subject, so that he or she |
| difficult. Anybody can shoot a portrait. The | | | | cooperates and does what the photographer wants. |
| photographs we take of our children, friends, | | | | A good portrait photographer should have a real |
| parents, teachers are all portraits. But, we are also | | | | interest in people. He should be a keen observer of |
| aware that some are better than the others. Let us | | | | the human nature. He should be quickly able to make |
| analyze the factors that make a portrait better than | | | | out the outstanding traits or habits of the person and |
| the others. | | | | make them appear in the portraits. |
| A successful portrait has always the quality of | | | | The photographer can take his photograph in the |
| making an impression on the viewer. The impression | | | | natural surroundings of the subject. This definitely is |
| left may be because of some physical aspect of the | | | | advantageous, since it puts the other person at ease. |
| photograph's subject, or it may be of some subtle | | | | However, this is not always possible, in which case |
| characteristic getting underscored. The portrait | | | | the photographer can make use of his studio. Both |
| makes a dramatic statement about the subject. It is | | | | have their own advantages and disadvantages. In |
| very individual. A simple photograph of a person that | | | | natural surroundings of the subject the lighting may |
| does not leave any imprint on our mind cannot be | | | | not be proper and even, or surroundings not so |
| called a portrait. The portrait always reveals | | | | appealing for a good photograph. In studio, |
| something about the person. It may be some mood, | | | | everything can be controlled, while the natural ease |
| some attitude or some mannerism which constitutes | | | | of the other setting will be missing. |
| the personality of the person. | | | | The natural light is always better but in many cases |
| A photographer who is able to bring out these | | | | this light is uneven and is not good for photography. |
| features in his portraits is a successful photographer. | | | | In that case, one has to think of taking pictures |
| Now, how does one do that? It depends mostly on | | | | indoors. The surroundings can be used to emphasize |
| the personality of the photographer, but it can also | | | | certain aspects of the personality of the subject. The |
| be learned. | | | | background can be made to reflect or enhance |
| The photographer should always be in command of | | | | certain attitude or mannerism of the person. For this, |
| the situation. He is the 'boss' of the moment. He | | | | certain props can be used. It can be a hat, a cigar, a |
| should be able to strike a rapport with his subjects. | | | | fan or a toy in the case of toddlers. Sometimes, |
| This can be achieved by starting a small conversation | | | | photographer also uses a completely black or white |
| with the person. It can be small talk about the | | | | background. In these cases, the focus is entirely on |
| currently popular topics, or the photographer can try | | | | the subject of the photograph. Some very beautiful |
| and find a subject which strikes a chord in the person | | | | portraits can be seen with such stark backgrounds. |
| being photographed. This will put the subject at ease; | | | | In the end, it is mainly the personality and maturity of |
| make him animated and more alive, bringing out some | | | | the photographer that plays a major role in bringing |
| interesting aspects of the personality of the person. | | | | out a good portrait. No rules can be defined for |
| But this is not a rule. Many great photographers used | | | | taking a great shot. One has to experiment and use |
| to remain very serious and focused on their work, | | | | one's own imagination and sensitivity to find one's |
| but still took great portraits. It is all in the personality | | | | unique individual style. |
| of the photographer. Something in the photographer | | | | |