Portrait photography

Portrait photography, also known as portraiture, is a specialized branch of photography. Its primary goal is to capture the unique personality of a person or a group. Photographers achieve this through the careful use of lighting, backdrops, and poses. A portrait can be artistic in nature or it can be clinical. People commission these images for many reasons. They might be for weddings, school events, or commercial purposes. Portraits can range from personal website photos to professional displays in business lobbies.

Historically, portraiture has changed alongside technology. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, cultural conventions often discouraged smiling in photos. This differed from some global examples, such as the photograph of a smiling Chinese man titled "Eating Rice." During the mid-19th century, the daguerreotype became popular because it was relatively low in cost. However, subjects still faced long exposure times. This meant they had to remain still for much longer than modern subjects. To help young children stay calm and still, photographers used "hidden mother" photography. In these shots, a mother would hide within the frame to steady the child.

Lighting is a fundamental mechanism in creating a portrait. One of the most common methods is three-point lighting. This setup uses three distinct light sources to create a three-dimensional effect. The first is the key light, or main light. It is placed 30 to 60 degrees from the camera to emphasize specific features. The distance of this light controls the depth of the shadows. The second is the fill light, which is placed opposite the key light. Its purpose is to combat the strong shadows created by the main light. A photographer might use a light or a simple reflector for this.

A third component is the back light, sometimes called a hair light. This light shines from behind the subject to separate them from the background. It can also emphasize hair or create artistic lens flares. Photographers also use light modifiers to control these sources. These tools include soft boxes, which are fabric boxes that diffuse light. They also use snoots, barn doors, and flags, which are known as gobos. These devices allow photographers to focus or block light precisely.

Different lighting styles create very different moods. High-key lighting uses multiple lights to create an image mostly free of shadows. In this style, the background is typically brighter than the subject. Conversely, low-key lighting uses only one or two lights. This results in an image where only part of the subject is lit. These images feature dark shadows and a background darker than the subject. Another specific technique is butterfly lighting. This uses a key light placed high and in front of the subject. It creates a distinct shadow under the nose that resembles a butterfly.

Photographers also utilize natural light through window light portraiture. This technique was used for decades before artificial lights were common. A photographer needs only a window and a reflector to succeed. The best times for this are the early morning or late afternoon. During these times, the light is more intense. Using a window allows for beautiful, soft, and rich lighting. The camera position can change the effect significantly. For example, placing the camera behind the subject can create a silhouette.

There are four main approaches to portraiture: constructionist, environmental, candid, and creative. The constructionist approach involves building an idea around a subject. This is common in studios, advertising, and marketing. The environmental approach shows the subject in their own surroundings. These subjects are often depicted performing tasks related to their lives.

The candid approach involves photographing people without their knowledge. This can provide important historical information about how people lived. Finally, the creative approach uses image manipulation to change the final result.

Portraiture also serves as a significant cultural rite of passage. In North America, senior portraits are taken during a student's final year of high school. These formal portraits are used for graduation announcements and yearbooks. They are often larger and more colorful than photos of younger students. These images serve as a tangible reminder of a student's high school years. Even modern experiments, like the "I Am Chicago" project, use portraiture to break down barriers. This project used mobile full-body portraiture with natural light and a moving truck.