Making better portraits - Part 6 - Character shots

Character shots.  Left - Captain of the Lady Rose.  Right - Ron Plett on his John Deere Tractor

A portrait generally is done to illustrate what someone looks like or to combine the members of a group into a unifying photo.  What those images don't usually convey is who someone is.  I have written on character shots before (one two) and will do so again - they are important to those who they are about.

The photograph of someone generally is not looked upon favourably by the person in the photo.  It is different with photos of relationships (next blog), and different with character shots as it is more about who they are rather than their appearance.  Rarely will someone dress up for a character shot - it is taken how they are and where they love to be.  It proudly states to all that see it, "This is who I am."

The trick to making an attractive character shot is to understand the person you are photographing.  What do they love?  Where do they spend time when they have some?  Where is their passion found?  Answer those questions and you will know where to photograph.

If I am shooting outside I use fill flash and like to include the setting - lots of depth of field is important as it relates to the photograph.  I don't use low apertures and long lenses in general.  For the boat captain, I used a 24 mm focal length (relative) and the tractor shot was done with a 28 mm.  In both, depth of field was important.  I will also meter ambient lighting and make sure I don't blow out parts of the shot.

Inside, I may bounce with an index card used to redirect the light or broaden my flash with some accessory.  I also try to shoot at exposures similar to the ambient lighting so that the background isn't dark.  Bounce flash will help with this.  Have a look at the image below.

I metered outside first then used a bounce flash and index card to fill the foreground.

I think you will find that people will enjoy character shots of themselves more than a standard protrait. It's not for everyone though.  But for some, it's just perfect.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com 


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