Capturing spirit in your portraits
Good portraits are hard to take. They require patience, timing and, equally as important, they require the subject to either forget about the camera, or look deep into the lens. The best portraits are taken with soft lighting and an uncluttered background. Closed eyes, forced smiles and bored stares are common, but when magic strikes, it produces some of our most treasured photographs—ones to be saved as dog-eared fridge decorations and wallet content for years and years.
Following a few simple tips can substantially increase your chances of unearthing that magic more frequently:
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A good portrait captures character, and it is crucial that the photographer interact with the subject. Don’t let the camera become a wall between you, absorbing all your focus. Talk. Ask questions. Show genuine interest. Don’t tell someone to smile; make them smile at what you’ve said.
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A common trick is to frame your shot, then lower the camera to your chin, making direct eye contact with the subject. Often they will suddenly open up. Don’t bring the camera back up to your eye! Just shoot.
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