Photography has given us a better look into the world. It gave us the appreciation of world’s wonders and beauty. Art is created in photography. There are different types or fields in photography. One of the most common and widely practiced fields is portrait photography. If you’re an eager amateur photographer one of things you come across taking the most is a portrait photo. You’ve probably taken by now photos of your friends, love ones, and even your pet. Portrait photography is a classic style in photography designed to capture subject’s personality. It is a face on photograph wherein the subject is not necessarily needed to be focused on the camera. The focus of the photograph is to capture the subject’s face although the body and the background may also be incorporated. An expression is always changing, it is human nature. In portrait photography a portrait is always not the same as another. Everyone has their own unique personality. In portrait photography composition the subject is placed and framed on shots. This is done to capture only the subject removing distractions that comes along the photograph. The subject is the only important thing on the shot. Everything is focused on the subject, everything else be anti-focus. A short depth in field is typical on portrait photography. Subject is much closer to the photographer or is seemingly closer if the photographer is using a camera with an extended focal length or a camera with a large aperture lens. Several approaches are practiced in portrait photography.
This includes environmental approach, constructionist approach, candid approach, or a creative approach. In environmental approach, the subject is portraying his expertise or profession. A doctor in the field of surgery, a teacher on the classroom, or a librarian in the library are some examples of environmental approach on portrait photography. In constructionist approach the photographer portrays an idea towards the subject. An example is making an individual look like a trustworthy executive or making a couple looking romantic or madly in love. Candid approach, as the name implies, is the approach of portrait photography wherein the subject is looking unaware of the shots just continuing on their work or business. In creative approach, photographs are manipulated with digital or dark room imaging creating a magical outcome of a portrait photograph. Same aspects of other types of photography are applied on portrait photography. The lighting, location, the model, camera angle, shadows and all that jazz are all considered in portrait photography. The most important aspect being looked at in portrait photography is the capture of expression. Expression beats perfection in portrait photography. A subject, whether making a pose or not, is always derived with an expression. This aspect of portrait photography makes a subject unique. Whether a subject is angry, happy, sad, or curious, a portrait photographer will always portray this in the shots. Portrait photography is always a relaxed experience. Subjects are encouraged not to think that they are in a photographic experience. This technique in portrait photography gives comfort and derives more natural and friendly expression to the photographic outcome making portrait photography a choice in making a creative, fun, and natural experience of photography.


