The Lie is Real Scott Fowler FPSNZ EFIAP EPSA GPSA
Your vision for creative portraiture is unique. The look you want in your portraits, the depth of the shadows, and the amount or type of lighting you use are all your choice. Have confidence in your ideas, your vision, and remember that it takes time and practice to achieve the look you want. It’s taken me many years of practice to achieve what I create and capture. As photographers, we put ourselves, our ideas, and even our assumptions into our work. We interpret and create what we’re thinking. At first glance, we imagine that great portraiture captures the very soul of the person being photographed when, in truth, it is more about the soul of the photographer. You, not the subject, decide the moment to press the shutter, and at that moment, that decision is cemented. The more you understand how lenses and sensors behave, how light works, and the digital darkroom, the more you will be capable of creating wonderful portraits.
PLANNING Creative portraiture knows no bounds. The lighting you use, depth of field, lens, outfit, location, make-up, and much more all play a part. And let’s not forget the finishing of the image in the digital darkroom: Is the image going to be part of a composite? Have you thought about lighting issues, perspectives, and subject placement in the background? Is it a stand-alone image, or perhaps an environmental portrait? When considering a creative portrait, I go through a list of options. I write down my ideas — my vision. This process is called “storyboarding”. Write down all the elements that will be important for the success of the portrait: What is the vision I want to create? What is the subject of the portrait: hair length and colour, body shape and height? What location will I use, lighting, lenses, clothing, make-up and hair? What time of day — especially if using natural light? Will I need help?
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