CREATIVE PROJECTS
C
omposition can often be the most challenging
aspect of taking a photograph, and in portrait
photography we need to think hard about where to
position the subject, how much ‘breathing space’
we should leave around her, what should be in focus and so
on. However, there’s more potential for pushing the
boundaries of how we frame portraits than with other
subjects. The most striking images are often those that break
the rules, so in this project we’re going to be looking at how
you can capture a more abstract style of portrait that goesagainst some of the conventions of composition, by coming
in really close for maximum impact.
You’ll need a friend or family member who can model for
you. Look for distinguishing features that you can accentuate,
such as the eyes, mouth and bone structure, and try to coax
expressions that convey something of her character; our
model had striking eyes and long hair, so we worked with
those features in particular. You can either concentrate on
capturing one portrait, or shoot a series of images that can be
presented together, as we’ve done.Capture a candid close-up portrait
Get up close with your macro lens to capture portraits
that really draw out the character of your subjects
2
Use a macro lens
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro is ideal,
because you can get up close without being restricted
to the minimum focusing distance, as you would with a non-
macro lens. The 100mm focal length enables you to get nice
close-ups without distorting facial features, and the lens has
a four-stop stabiliser, which is great for shooting handheld in
low light.1
Let there be light!
For close-ups you need soft natural light for the best
results, so if you’re shooting outside, avoid bright
sunshine. If the weather is miserable you can shoot indoors
like we did, positioning your model by a window. Whether
you’re indoors or outdoors, use a reflector to bounce light
back on to your model’s face and fill in unflattering shadows.