A photo speaks a thousand words. A setting creates context to a story. But a face speaks millions about people. With each one is a number of experiences all carved into it's eyes and mouth be it a smile or a frown. It's what we look into everyday be it our own or the ones we love. It's where we start as the first impression of character without verbal communication. A person's life is told through their body and the face of another is the prime place to receive the first impression of information.
So as a photographer, it's our job to bring out whatever experience and story we see within our subject. It takes all your lighting, communication skills and posing to the test. Your external tools such as flashes, reflectors and lenses help bring out the details in different types of styles. But what makes one photographer stand out from the next is mastering your inside skills as well. Without communication and emotional intelligence you can have all the best tools the world has to offer but without knowing how to bring out people as they are then all the rest of the techniques and gear will fall apart or have no soul.
“Feeling your best never felt better.”
Now let's bring some clarity on what I mean by "inside". Without getting to metaphysical here your emotions are the first indicator when tuning into your subject. Everything that has to do with the energy and relationship you share with your subject. You can direct a person to do this way or move like that but what creates trust is how your feeling inside yourself. If your feeling frantic and stressed inside but trying to hide it your subject will ultimately pick up on your energy be it consciously or unconsciously. So it's important to stay grounded in yourself and focus on them more then on yourself.
If your photographing someone who's not in tune with their emotions then know you can have the lead in setting the atmosphere to be as safe and comfortable as you like. Using music is a great way to ease the tension of thoughts in a room. Ask them what they like and have it play in the background. When they first come in your studio or meet up location, start with a simple conversation first. Jumping straight into it will not give them the time to adjust to your space and what is needed for the session. Give them a rundown first, go through the wardrobe if any and when it's time to shoot give them a couple of pointers on posing. Guide them through every step of the process and give them as much information as possible. The more people know the more they tend to feel safe because you set them up for what's to come.
When it's time to shoot you will have observed their face enough to see what elements to bring out during the first talk. The eyes alone can be the hanging point to every great portrait. Know that there are so many muscles in the face and that a slight move of the lip or tightening of the jaw will make one portrait dramatically different from the next. Have a clear outcome before the session on what you would like to bring out. It could be as simple as their toughness or love of family. Having a basic theme and direction propels the final result into the expected outcome.
“A great artist is one who depends on their tools but unattached in their use.”
Once your comfortable with all the elements outside of gear, it's now time to get technical and use the technology to bring out the intended result. Your gear is used to elevate your work to another degree of sophistication. All the elements of lighting and composition help in giving more depth in what your bringing out in a person.
Ask yourself questions such as...
What is the emotion you want to bring out?
How can you shape the lighting in a way that brings out the emotion?
Which lens should I use?
Should I shoot up close with a prime lens or keep my distance with a zoom?
What will be the outcome for both?
The options are endless but limited in a paradoxical sense. It all depends on where your heading and how faithful you are to the vision and outcome of the portrait. But use your gear in a way that will help you and not be a burden. Many times I've arrived with three flashes, video lights and a truck load of heavy lenses only to discover all it needed was a general purpose zoom in ambient light to get the work just right. Some of us do have the tendency to go overboard but know that the simplest way can be the most effective.
Just like getting to know yourself, get to know your gear and how it all works. Learn to be effective with what you have first before moving on to something else that you don't know much about. The less you have the more you'll be creative in using what's available. So bring out no more than 3 lenses for the shoot with at least one flash. That way it will be a lot easier to manage the tools and the subject at the same time.
Get in tune with yourself. Develop your skills in communication and allow the person your photographing to show all of who they are. Not just physically but also from he inside. Bring out the best or the worst depending on the emotions needed to achieve the best possible story. Your tools will be there to help the job come out successful so know it inside out. But don't depend entirely on gear as it's only an extension to the photographer. Be at your best and in turn bring out another person's best as well.
Keep Snappin'!
Chris From MKMI Photo