Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People

1. Visual Instinct: The Foundation of Great People Photography

"Don't take pictures of people. Take pictures about people."

Trust your gut. Great people photography relies on intuition and emotional connection rather than strict adherence to technical rules. Developing your visual instinct means learning to read the mood of your subject, the atmosphere of the environment, and your own emotional response to the scene. This sixth sense allows you to capture images that reveal deeper truths about your subjects and yourself.

Embrace empathy. To truly connect with your subjects, put yourself in their shoes. Approach each photographic encounter with curiosity and openness, allowing yourself to be vulnerable in the process. This empathetic approach will help you create images that resonate on a more profound level, revealing the humanity in your subjects rather than merely documenting their appearance.

2. Composition: Balancing Rules and Intuition

"Composition isn't about making photographs that look right. It's about making photographs that feel right."

Know the rules, then break them. While compositional guidelines like the rule of thirds and leading lines can be useful starting points, truly great portraits often come from following your instincts. Pay attention to:

• Spatial relationships between subject and environment
• Camera angle and its psychological impact
• Lens choice and how it affects perspective
• Framing and negative space

Embrace imperfection. Sometimes the most powerful compositions come from intentionally breaking traditional rules. Experiment with unconventional framing, extreme angles, or deliberate "mistakes" to create images with greater emotional impact and visual interest.

3. Context: The Power of Environmental Portraiture

"Do you make the environment an important part of your portrait or strip everything away?"

Consider the bigger picture. Environmental portraits provide rich context, telling a more complete story about your subject. Pay attention to:

• Personal objects and their significance
• The interplay between subject and surroundings
• How the environment reflects personality or profession

Manipulate context for impact. Alternatively, you can choose to remove environmental context entirely, using plain backdrops or tight framing to focus solely on the subject. This technique can create powerful, stripped-down portraits that emphasize facial expressions and body language.

4. The Gaze: Understanding Eye Contact and Subject Interaction

"Photographing people results in a tense power play of gazes between subject, photographer and viewer."

Direct vs. indirect gaze. The direction of your subject's gaze can dramatically alter the mood and message of a portrait:

• Direct eye contact: Creates a sense of connection and confrontation
• Looking away: Can convey introspection, mystery, or vulnerability
• Multiple subjects: Consider the interplay of gazes within group portraits

Candid vs. posed. Decide whether you want to capture naturalistic, unguarded moments or create more deliberate, stylized portraits. Each approach has its strengths and can reveal different aspects of your subject's personality.

5. Control: Manipulating the Photographic Encounter

"To be a great portrait photographer – especially if you like posed portraits – you have to be a master of manipulation."

Directing vs. observing. As a portrait photographer, you must find the right balance between actively shaping the scene and allowing organic moments to unfold. Consider:

• Giving subjects specific actions or prompts
• Creating a comfortable (or intentionally uncomfortable) environment
• Using unexpected techniques to elicit genuine reactions

Studio vs. location. The setting of your shoot greatly influences the level of control you have. Studio environments offer maximum control over lighting and composition, while location shoots introduce unpredictable elements that can lead to serendipitous moments.

6. Street Photography: Capturing Candid Moments

"Decisive moments are at their most plentiful when everyone is guilty of gazing."

Be ready for anything. Street photography requires quick reflexes and a keen eye for fleeting moments. Tips for success:

• Travel light with minimal equipment
• Anticipate potential scenes and be ready to shoot
• Develop situational awareness and "read" the street

Ethics and approach. Street photography raises important ethical questions about consent and privacy. Consider your personal approach:

• Shoot from a distance or get up close?
• Ask for permission or remain unobtrusive?
• How will you handle confrontations or objections?

7. Black and White vs. Color: Emotional Impact of Tonal Choices

"Choosing between black and white and colour affects who you photograph and how you photograph them."

**Black and white:

• Emphasizes form, texture, and emotion
• Creates a timeless, classic feel
• Can simplify complex scenes

Color:

• Draws attention to specific elements
• Evokes mood through color psychology
• Can be used for powerful visual contrasts

Make intentional choices. Don't default to color simply because it's easier. Consider how your tonal choice impacts the overall mood and message of your image. Experiment with both to see which better serves your artistic vision for each particular photograph.

8. Psychology of Light: Shaping Mood and Atmosphere

"Light is never neutral. It always comes loaded with psychological implications."

Natural light: Embrace the ever-changing qualities of sunlight, from harsh midday contrast to the soft glow of golden hour. Learn to:

• Read and anticipate light conditions
• Position subjects for flattering natural light
• Use windows and reflections creatively

Artificial light: Studio lighting and flash offer precise control but require technical skill. Consider:

• Hard vs. soft light and their emotional impact
• Direction of light and how it shapes features
• Mixing light sources for creative effects

Exposure choices: Intentionally under or overexposing can dramatically alter the mood of an image. Experiment with high-key and low-key lighting techniques to convey different emotional tones.

9. Technical Mastery: Camera Settings and Equipment Choices

"For street photography it's worth upping your ISO to around 800 because you're constantly darting in and out of shadow areas."

Know your gear. While creativity and instinct are paramount, technical proficiency allows you to execute your vision effectively. Key areas to master:

• Exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
• Focal length and its impact on perspective
• Depth of field control
• White balance and color temperature

Choose the right tool. Different photographic styles benefit from specific equipment:

• Street photography: Compact, discreet cameras
• Studio portraits: Lighting setups and medium format
• Environmental portraits: Versatile zoom lenses

Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. Focus on developing your eye and instincts rather than obsessing over gear.

Last updated: November 18, 2024