Important things to know before you click a Portrait

You always need to maintain the composition and apply a suitable technique that will help you to create what you are trying to say. It is not necessary to have a DSLR for photography but you should be able to create an excellent frame through which you can replicate the subject properly.

a. Don't be shy to get close to your subject. Practice with people you know so that you are comfortable and also people can sense when you aren't. Always keep in mind that “Every person has his/her own story, and every picture should tell part of that story”.

b. Always look for the real expression from a subject and try to avoid all expressions which are mainly due to unavoidable consciousness of a person (subject).

c. An important element in portrait photography is knowing your subjects well enough to be able to anticipate the gesture of a subject. It's the only way you are going to be able to get pictures of a real moment.

d. The key point is - Watch people through the viewfinder and set the aperture and shutter speed in advance so you don't have to struggle with them while you get real moments to take them.

e. Try to understand nature of subject and being aware of how people usually react in particular situations. Prepare yourself for the moment when the subject gives a spontaneous response over a conversation with you. As an example, un-married person will always smile when they are asked about their marriage date. Think about these particular situations, how people are likely to act in it and click on these real moments.

Picture 1: Affected due to the consciousness of the subject.

Picture 2: Affected due to the consciousness and picture is not properly framed.

Picture 3: Taken at the right moment with a spontaneous expression of subject.

Picture 4: Taken at the right moment when subject and photographer both are in a conversation.

Picture 5: Capture at the right moment using the effect of natural light and shadow.

Picture 6: You have to maintain the position of a walking subject at the middle to frame each movement properly.

Picture 7: An instant click is always valuable when the aperture and shutter speed are properly selected in advance.

Picture 8: Creation of a properly framed picture-tells you a lot.

~ Anindya Ghosh (PhD student)
Model (Pictures 1-5): Tapas Dey