Photography is about capturing the essence of your subjects. Here we tell you how to achieve evocative portraits.
1. Keep it Simple
The more complex your scene is the more unlikely you are to get a shot that is the X factor. Keep your backgrounds (and foregrounds) uncluttered, work with natural light where you can, if you have to use artificial light keep it simple and use as few lights as possible.
2. Set up the Shot before Introducing Your Subject to it
Be as prepared as possible before your subject arrives. If you’re shooting in a studio have your lighting ready and camera set up and ready to go. If you’re shooting on location know where you want to shoot. Have your camera’s settings ready to go and even do a few test shots before your subject arrives. This way you don’t keep them waiting around and get to photograph them when they are fresh.
3. Capture Real Moments
– Let your subject have some creative freedom – Always try and include a proper mix of candid moments and a bit of posing.
– Don’t be afraid of making a fool out of yourself – Posing isn’t bad if it’s done right, just don’t overdo it. At some point you have to release control and start working on making your subject comfortable enough to be themselves. This can be done by telling lame jokes, making a fool of yourself (I’m a natural at this), or just by having a good time with your subjects. The less ‘professional’ you make your shoot, the more natural of a mood you will get from your subject.
4. Shoot from Slightly Below Your Subject’s Eyeline
Shooting from slightly below a person’s eyeline is quite flattering for most people. Do this when a subject is standing or sitting. Tempo recommends lighting from slightly below rather than above a subject also.
5. Shoot into the Light
When shooting outdoors, back lighting is the shiznit. This adds interest, depth and sometimes color into an image. Lens hoods are a must if you’re doing this outside in bright environments though – you’ll also need a fill in flash.
Photographer: Phoebe Jaspe (Film and Media Student)
Title of the picture: Requiem for a dream
Where: Stuttgart, Germany. Hotel bathroom
Setting: Camera mounted on tripod behind, both of us took turns in taking a photograph of ourselves
Purpose of the shot: To show how love has its boundaries, so close yet so far. It could also mean two lovers becoming one. A reflection of each other.
Camera model: Canon EOS 1000D
F-stop: f/5.6 at 18mm using Canon zoom 18-55mm lens
ISO: 400
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter speed: 1/21 sec.
Tip : Focus clearly. You can observe that the reflection of me is a bit blurred because Luke didn’t focus well enough. It was an experiment with Photoshop. Always take risks and don’t give up. 🙂
Photographer: FAHEEM UR REHMAN (Mechanical Engineer)
Title of the picture: Cool Pair
Location: My Home
Subject: My daughter, Nawal
Setting: Outdoor
Purpose of the shot: It was festive day of Eid Al Adha, and this little sparrow landed on the shoulder of my daughter, Nawal. I rushed to fetch my camera and clicked impulsively. Nawal did not realize that a sparrow was sitting on her shoulder. It got a bit comfortable before it took flight.
Camera model: Pentax MZ-50 with Pentax 35-80mm Lens
F-stop/ Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/100 sec.
Tip: To capture a lucky shot, one needs to respond very quickly in such circumstances. Shoot on impulse, one should not waste too much time on setting. Preferably set the mode to auto e.g. Portrait, Action or Aperture. You have to shoot alot to get atleast one lucky shot.
Photographer: SANIA HARRIS 11th Grade Student. (not a photographer.Just a lucky shooter)
Title of the picture: Baby Bliss
Location: Zabeel Park , Dubai, UAE
Subject: Nafi’s Baby
Setting: A Bright Day At The Park With A Camera Ready In Hand.
Purpose of the shot: This baby “goo-goo-gaa-gaa”-ed towards me and I couldn’t help not capturing the precious little face on my camera.
Camera model: Canon PowerShot A3100 using 6.2 – 24.8 mm lens,
Aperture: 4.0
ISO: 1250
Shutter speed: 1/15th of a sec
Tip: The more the light, the brighter and vivid the picture is. Focus on the subject and let the rest of the world blur in your camera view.
Photographer: Hurr Al-Dalli (Film Director)
Title of the picture: Children of the South
Location: Al Ashouria, Morocco
Subject: Children from the village
Setting: Around 9 to 10 am, in the village
Purpose of the shot: For a photo essay about the place
Camera Model: Canon 500D, with Canon EFS lense 18-55mm
F.Stop/Aperture: 4.6 at 29mm
ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/250 of a sec
Tip: Be bold, don’t be afraid to get close to your subject. Also, a false white balance can work to your benefit, as the camera will throw in a color to negate the original color. Example, white balance with a greenish tint, will give you a magenta-ish glow to your picture.
Photographer: Muhammad Osman Gul (Economics Student)
Title of the picture: Endless Vision
Location: AbuDhabi Breakwater (near AbuDhabi Theater and Marina Mall)
Subject: Mohammad Adeeb Alam
Setting: Outdoor by the breakwater using ample sunlight
Purpose of the shot: Randomly took this one while hanging out with friends at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater, but later realized how the breakwater has changed over the years. And also, a young subject looking into the vast sea conveys a message that the youth is full of ideas.
Camera Model: Canon EOS-1000D with 50mm 1.6 portrait lens
F-stop is 4.0
ISO/Shutter Speed = 1/200th of a second (this has to be my most-recommended)
Tip: Details speak words. One could define a character just by looking at the details. So try to capture picture with a lot of depth and details. Also, boldly find your camera position. Framing is extremely important in case of portraits. I believe in having a symmetric approach because that reduces the dead-space and concentrates on details.
