Portraits these days span from ‘selfies’ to studio shots and everything in between. Photography is a very popular art form. CK Photography told us “There are various styles of portrait photography to consider. Are you looking for a head shot for your modeling or acting aspirations? Are you trying to explore your artistic side? Do you want to be in color, or black and white? All of these various aspects of the portrait play into the image that is produced and the story that the picture tells.”
Elements of Portraits
Photography has a few key components, one of which is lighting. Lighting is the light that is illuminating the subject. Do you want natural lighting or studio lighting? Studio lighting has a variety of different set-ups, including a spotlight, butterfly light, and three-point lighting. A spotlight is one light focused on the subject. Butterfly lighting is two lights which create different highlights and shadows. Three-point lighting has three or four lights, which include the key light, fill-in light, and accent light.
Natural lighting is another option. It uses the sunlight. So, natural lighting is a beautiful option. It all depends on the look you are going for.
Styles of Portraits
Portraits can be varied in the way they are presented. One thing to consider is what are we focusing on in the picture. Portraits can have soft lights, and soft focus, creating a more quiet mood. The photograph can also be more vibrant, with many colors, bright sunlight and smiling faces. The color and composition of the portrait has a lot to do with the style.
Portraiture has four essential styles, constructionist, environmental, candid, and creative. A constructionist portrait is one that has a purpose to it, such as “happy family.” This one can use different props to tell a story. This would also be in the realm of head shots. Environmental portraits are more the subject interacting in the environment. These can be taken outside, in a natural setting, or with animals. Many photographs are a blend of styles, such as a wedding portrait taken on the beach. Candid shots are ones that have minimal planning and are not posed and are taking a snapshot of the subject as is, offering a glimpse into their life. Many journalists use this style when they are taking portraits. Creative portraits are often visually appealing and have different artistic elements to them, depending on the photographer’s vision.
Self-Portrait
A self-portrait is a shot the subject of the photograph sets up and takes, and is not to be overlooked when considering portrait styles. A self-portrait can be done by holding the camera, or by setting it up on a tripod and using a self-timer. If you have an interest in photography, the best way to start shooting would be to take pictures of yourself. Self-portraits allow the subject to have more control over the shot and they have a genuine quality to them. There are various tools available, such as the GoPro, that make taking dynamic self-portraits a breeze.
Portraiture is an evolving art form and there are many skilled photographers who excel in this art. The best way to get a feel for portraits is to look at portraits, and there are many available in books, museums, and even on different websites. National Geographic is one of the best-known publications that often has portraits. Hopefully, this article has expanded your idea of what a portrait can be and has inspired you.
