They may be smiling, laughing, or somber – each portrait tells a unique story. With the help of a camera lens and the right idea, People and Portraits aim to capture the natural and staged moments of everyday life. Whether it’s a candid moment between friends or a posed photo of a family, each photo helps to shape the narrative of people’s lives and their stories.
1. Capturing Character through Candid and Staged Photography
When it comes to capturing characters in photography, each approach provides a different feel and look. Candid photography gives the photographs a natural, effortless look while staged photography is more posed and produced.
Candid Photography
- Captures emotional and accurate moments of people without them being posed
- Best results when the subjects are aware of the photographer
- Requires a level of comfort with the photographer to be able to maintain true naturalness
Created portraits generated from candid photography allow for the audience to feel as if they are a part of the moment. It allows someone to connect with the subject and create an emotional relationship.
Staged Photography
- The photographer has complete control of the image
- Used for advertising and marketing campaigns
- The photographer works with the subject to create a posed, creative look
A staged portrait of a character can easily show their attitude, values, and lifestyle. It can reveal more about the character than a candid photograph. The photographer needs to be able to capture the right body language and emotion to show the character’s story.
2. The Dynamics of People and Portraits
The compelling personalities of human subjects can truly come alive through portraits. A masterful portrait captures an individual’s emotion and expression, hinting at what might be bubbling beneath the surface. It also captures the dynamic between the photographer and sitter, as the portrait is as much about the photographer as it is the subject.
- Pay Attention to Details – Anticipate how your subject’s body language and gestures could evoke powerful and unexpected emotions. Capture the details of their facial expressions, their clothing, hairstyle, and background to tell a story that illustrates the nature of the subject.
- Be Ready to Act Quickly – Portrait photography necessarily involves interaction between photographer and subject. Even if you have a plan for a shoot, don’t be afraid to be flexible and drop the preconceptions. Be ready to take shots when the subject moves in unexpected ways, as it often means that you are uncovering something special about the person.
- Understand the Subject – As your photo shoot progresses, listen carefully to your subject and observe the way they move. Talk to them and listen to their stories. This can help you to understand what makes them unique so that you can develop a deeper portrait that captures that essence.
The challenge of bringing out the personality of a person through a portrait is immense but immensely rewarding. Learn to build a relationship with the subject, and your portraits will capture a snapshot of someone’s unique character. That will be your lasting photograph.
3. Telling a Story with Creative Candid Shots
Many people think that when it comes to taking photographs of special moments, it has to be posed and directed. However, there’s a certain art to capturing a story using creative candid shots. And it can be done in a few simple steps.
Look for Expressions
Expressions tell stories in themselves, without words. Look for emotions that can be captured through the lens, for example a smile or a laugh. They could be passing or fleeting, so it’s important to be ready with the camera and capture the moment quickly.
Composition Matters
Be mindful of the background and foreground. Place your subject in the right spot to ensure the environment is helping to tell the story. Also, think about the angle of the shot, whether to go with a wide-angle to have everyone in it, or a closer frame to focus on one person or object.
- Utilize the light coming from different directions to create more drama.
- Include elements in the shot that will make the photograph more interesting.
- Experiment with different perspectives.
Capture the Moment
When the pieces are in the right place, in terms of composition and expressions, press the shutter button to get the shot. Taking creative candid shots is about taking moments in real life and making them look beautiful, interesting and meaningful.
4. Crafting the Perfect Staged Portrait
Stage portraits are a great way for photographers to tell a story without having to rely on words. As a photographer, your aim is to capture the emotion and ambiance of a moment – and when the photograph you take does just that – that’s a great feeling.
So to craft the perfect staged portrait, here are some top tips:
- Selection of Lighting: Choosing the right lighting is paramount when creating a portrait – the lighting can completely change the atmosphere and emotion. Opt for natural light whenever you can, such as windowsills or doorways. You can also use artificial lighting in a portrait, such as studio lighting, but make sure to experiment and test out any lighting before shooting the final images.
- Staging: When plotting out the staging of your portrait, think carefully about the colours and elements you want to include. Colours can become very emotive and tell a story without even uttering a word, so make sure you take a well-thought-out approach to the props and colours you use.
- Focus: It’s easy to fall into the trap of including too many elements in your staged portrait which can end up detracting from the purpose of the image. Try to keep your focus on the subject, with all other elements playing a supporting role.
By following the above tips, you can create portraits with a captivating and emotive quality. You don’t have to be an experienced photographer to start – it just takes a little bit of practice and experimentation.
From intimate snapshots to theatrical poses, people and portrait photography reveals the complexities of the human experience. A candid or staged photograph captures not just a person’s likeness, but the heart and spirit behind it, creating long-lasting memories, stories, and connections that will endure forevermore.
