environmental portraits
Directing the subject
The photographer should display an air of confi dence and friendliness whilst directing subjects.
Subjects will feel more comfortable if the photographer clearly indicates what is expected of them.
There can be a tendency for inexperienced photographers to rush an environmental portrait. The
photographer may feel embarrassed, or feel that the subject is being inconvenienced by being
asked to pose. The photographer should clarify that the subject does have time for the photograph
to be made and indicate that it may involve more than one image being created. A subject may
hear the camera shutter and presume that one image is all that is required.
Passive subject
Subjects should be directed to pause from the activity that they were engaged in. The photographer
can remain receptive to the potential photographic opportunities by keeping the conversation
focused on the subject and not oneself.
Expression and posture
Often a subject will need reminding that
a smile may not be necessary. Subjects
may need guidance on how to sit or
stand, what they should do with their
hands and where to look. It may be a
simple case of just reminding them how
they were standing or sitting when you
fi rst observed them.
Shooting decisively
As a photographer takes longer to take
the picture the subject will often feel
more and more uncomfortable about
their expression and posture. To freeze
human expression is essentially an
unnatural act. Exposure, framing and
focus should all be considered before
raising the camera to the eye.
ACTIVITY 6
Connect with someone new and create three environmental portraits.
At least one image should demonstrate how you have directed them towards a relaxed
expression and body posture.
Discuss the process of direction.Stephen Rooke