portraits

1. Play with Eye Contact

It is amazing how much the direction of your subject’s eyes can impact an image. Most portraits have the subject looking down the lens – something that can create a real sense of connection between a subject and those viewing the image. But there are a couple of other things to try:

A. Looking off camera – have your subject focus their attention on something unseen and outside the field of view of your camera. This can create a feeling of candidness and also create a little intrigue and interest as the viewer of the shot wonders what they are looking at. This intrigue is particularly drawn about when the subject is showing some kind of emotion (ie ‘what’s making them laugh?’ or ‘what is making them look surprised?’). Just be aware that when you have a subject looking out of frame that you can also draw the eye of the viewer of the shot to the edge of the image also – taking them away from the point of interest in your shot – the subject.

B. Looking within the frame – alternatively you could have your subject looking at something (or someone) within the frame. A child looking at a ball, a woman looking at her new baby, a man looking hungrily at a big plate of pasta…. When you give your subject something to look at that is inside the frame you create a second point of interest and a relationship between it and your primary subject. It also helps create ‘story’ within the image.

2. Change the Format Framing

Many photographers get stuck in a rut of only ever shooting either in ‘landscape’ (when the camera is held horizontally) or ‘portrait’ (when the camera is held vertically) modes. Look back through your images and see which one you use predominantly.

Just because a vertical framing is called ‘portrait’ mode doesn’t mean you always need to use it when shooting portraits. Mix your framing up in each shoot that you do and you’ll add variety to the type of shots you take.

3. Engaging Your Subject

The first order of business is to engage your subject. This is where we all have to learn to overcome our shyness and approach people in an open and friendly manner. Be up front about who you are and what you're doing. Don't just barge into a scene with your cameras blazing. In fact, it is usually best to leave your camera in its bag when you first approach people, so as not to frighten them. Take time to engage the person in conversation, just as you would if you didn't have a camera. Remember the Golden Rule. Think about how you'd feel if someone approached you and wanted to make a photograph. How they did it would determine how you would respond.

Environmental portraits:
i like this picture because of the interesting depth of field, and that's why i chose it.
i like this picture because this guy's workshop/garage looks awesome, and i chose it for the shadows around the frame.

self-portrait:
i like this picture because of the waterline match with the horizon, and that's why i  chose it.
i like this picture for the lines on the mirror, and i chose it because the lines form a pattern

casual portrait:
i like this picture because the the subject is very good looking, and i chose this picture because the subject isn't looking at the camera.
i like this picture because of the random yellowish spots of light, and that's why i chose it.


project:
I don't really get what I am supposed to do for the project, but if I have to take 2 different pictures of portraits and self-portraits, I will probably shoot my mom and my little sister either in our house or the greenbelt. For self-portraits, I will probably take a picture of myself in my small room, listening to music or reading. I am afraid that I won't be able to show you what makes me tick though, because my girlfriend just broke up with me.