Table of Contents
Grasp the mood of the model
To this question, I believe that most photographers will answer: “The meaning and value of photography is to record the most real scenes and the most moving moments.” It is both hypocritical and easy to use, just like the wishes of beauty pageants. The world is the same as peace. The standard answer forever is never wrong.
But I don’t know how many photographers pressed the shutter with the most moving mood. Perhaps documentary photography is the closest approach to the ideal “truth-seeking” shooting method, but many scenes can be encountered but not desired. If this is the case, the “truth” and “moving” of photography will become farther and farther away from us, and it will become less and less necessary.
The meaning and value of photography is to record the most real scenes and the most moving moments. Only this kind of subject matter will be the most worthy of our memory after many years, and it will become a meaningful image for ourselves.
Someone asked me, if I took a group of portrait photos, I can only choose the one I like the most. How would you choose? I said, I will choose the photo that most resembles this person, that is, the photo that best suits the personality of the subject. Even if it is not the most beautiful, it is not the photo that best expresses the photographer’s style.
I think that we must always know who we are shooting, and highlighting the value of the subject is the most important key, rather than just repeating the ideas and situations that the photographer wants to express through a character.
Subject & Environment
For example, if you set up a scene environment, story, or costume, you have to set it on the subject. This is not only easy to become a formality, but the result is the same regardless of who the subject is.
Of course, every form of photography has its own value, but I appreciate simpler shooting subjects.
Because it is true, so beautiful. Beauty must be built on a sincere foundation, so that it can be solid and meaningful. Truth is the first element that photographers must pursue.
Photography can of course have a personal style. Style is personality, and it can’t be separated from one’s own preferences, including composition, tone, selection and color application.
But we also need to guide the true emotions and personality traits that belong to the subject, and put these links in the most important position, and then use our accustomed shooting methods to present them.
I think that experienced professional portrait photographers will not deny that the best photos are often made in the final shot. Because the closer to the end, the more relaxed and natural the subject is, it is a good time to press the shutter.
The shutter is the art of condensing the moments of time and space. Everyone has a pleasing angle, expression and movement. Of course, there are also negatives. If the shutter is improperly pressed, the beauty may be disillusioned by a millisecond difference. In portrait photography, the pros and cons of the model itself depends entirely on the photographer’s skill.
In short, the beauty of a picture must be as beautiful as possible in the heart. Even if it is a simple portrait outside shooting, people must feel the real emotions. People have emotions, and the job of the photographer is to capture the charm of the subject, not just the appearance.
Emotional communication
The conveyance of emotions in portrait photography, especially the emotions revealed by facial expressions, is the most direct way of presentation. In addition to facial expressions, body movements and even the atmosphere of the scene can convey the mood of the entire work. How can I shoot a natural smile? The photographer must create some opportunities and possibilities, not necessarily to make the other party happy, but can design some actions that are not easy for the other party to do. During the process, the other party will feel embarrassed and will naturally laugh, even when facing the male subject. At the same time, the best time to shoot is the laugh.
Emotions are not only positive, it is easier to guide negative emotions to express deeper moods. And also need to cooperate with the appropriate scene to make the photos tend to be decadent, gloomy, and even ethereal.
Before shooting, the photographer and the model must communicate fully in advance. I think you can let the other party understand your ideas through some images or videos, and also have in-depth discussions to give the other party time to figure out and prepare.
Finally, it depends on the talent of the model, as well as the guide and shooting technique of the photographer.