Portrait photography

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Eating rice, China - collected by Berthold Laufer

Low-key photography - portrait of a young man

Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express (1932) by Don English

Paolo Monti - Servizio fotografico - BEIC 6341416

Guitar Luthier in Workshop

Portrait photography or portraiture is a type of photography aimed at capturing the personality, expression, and mood of a person or group of people by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses. A portrait photograph may be artistic or clinical. Frequently, portraits are commissioned for special occasions, such as weddings, school events, or commercial purposes.

History

Portrait photography has been a prominent genre in the field of photography since the early days of the medium in the 19th century. Early Daguerreotypes and Calotypes often featured posed individuals and were a significant departure from the traditional painted portraits, offering a new way to capture the human likeness with relatively quick exposure times and the ability to produce multiple copies.

Types of Portrait Photography

Portrait photography can be divided into several types, including but not limited to:

• Traditional portrait: Focuses on the face and expression, typically looking directly at the camera.
• Environmental portrait: Captures the subject in their natural environment, often relating to their profession or hobbies.
• Candid portrait: Taken without the subject's knowledge or without posing, aiming for a more natural appearance.
• Glamour portrait: Emphasizes the beauty and charm of the subject, often with the use of makeup, hair styling, and professional lighting.
• Conceptual portrait: Combines portraiture with a certain concept or idea, often telling a story or conveying a specific message.

Techniques

Successful portrait photography involves a combination of technical skills and the ability to interact with subjects. Key techniques include:

• Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in portrait photography. Photographers use various lighting setups, such as three-point lighting, to highlight the subject's features and create depth.
• Composition: The arrangement of elements within the frame, including the subject, background, and any props, is carefully considered to create a balanced and engaging image.
• Pose: Guiding the subject to pose in a way that is flattering and conveys the desired mood or personality.
• Focus: Using depth of field to draw attention to the subject, often by blurring the background.

Equipment

Portrait photographers typically use a range of equipment to achieve the desired outcome, including:

• Cameras: Both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are popular choices for their image quality and versatility.
• Lenses: Prime lenses with wide apertures are favored for their ability to produce a shallow depth of field.
• Lighting: External flashes, softboxes, reflectors, and natural light are all utilized to control the lighting in a portrait.
• Backdrops: A variety of backdrops are used to provide a clean and uncluttered background or to add context to the portrait.

Post-Processing

Post-processing plays a significant role in portrait photography, allowing photographers to adjust exposure, correct colors, and retouch the subject to enhance the overall image. Software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom are commonly used for this purpose.

Ethical Considerations

Portrait photographers must navigate ethical considerations, particularly regarding consent and representation. It is essential to respect the subject's wishes and portray them in a manner that is truthful and respectful.