Character shots - who someone is.

Making a difference, one sweep at a time.

As a photographer, I am always looking for definition.  Although this implies sharpness, what I am really talking about is the impression which a casual observer is left with after viewing the shot.  There are many different insights to be gleaned from such an image; which one is being expressed?

A photograph can convey many things.  First off there is what someone looks like.  Fundamentally, this is achieved with most representations.  I find it is often not enough; a passport photo will achieve this.  Then there is the relationship angle.  This is a key concept to photography as it alludes to some level of care and history between those in the image.  An image can include places and props to denote some event or milestone.  This comes close to what I consider a character shot, although it misses the mark.

A character shot tells more about who someone is rather than being about any of the above concepts.  It suggests a story about what they do, what they love, and the kind of person they are.  It should evoke a sense of that person as if it were a viewing port unto their soul.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words; a character shot should express this maxim to the utmost.

Have a look at the above photo.  It was 2006; I was a high school teacher at the time and she was a district custodian working in the building.  I happened to have my camera and asked if I could photograph her; I had an inspiration.  The moment, literally 1/100th of a second, captures a number of qualities leaving the viewer with an impression about just who this person is.  Consider some of the conclusions one can make studying the image.

1.  The job the person has is clear; she is a janitor.  If you read the green tape on the dustbin there should be no hesitation on this assumption.  The keys lend an air of certainty,
2.  Her face shows a certain degree of pride.  She likes her job, is proud of her work and contribution to society.  The clean hallway behind her testifies to her work ethic.
3.  The tools of the trade are in her hands.  Our hands connotate important things about us; who we love (touching), what we do (holding), things that are important to us (pointing).
4.  She is patriotic.  The shirt says it all.
5.  She has been busy.  The dustbin is not empty.  I caught her at a moment when she was in the middle of her job.  She took a second out of her busy day to allow me to photograph her.
6.  She cares about people and tries to help where she can.  The fact she took a moment to do this is suggestive of that.  It was something she could do to help.

You may or may not agree with all of these points, but chances are that you have made some on your own.  That is exactly the purpose of a character shot.  It is not about what someone looks like, it is about who they are.  The conclusions are up to you, the viewer.  And it only takes a moment.

Thanks for reading.   www.ericspix.com   Eric Svendsen