What Is Portrait Photography? - 5 More Types

Here are another 5 types of portrait photography

1. Candid's

   - This is generally characterised by the taking of the photograph without the subject knowing it is being done. This technique can produce some of the most natural and emotive pictures. It can also be a lot of fun, catching people off-guard can lead to some amusing poses. However it is not always easy to do. You have to train your eye to notice these moments, almost before they happen. You have to be able to move fast to grab them before they slip away. Try and have the camera set up on the right exposure and aperture, so you are ready and just have to point and shoot. With just a bit of practise you can get all this to happen at the same time and take some very rewarding photographs. One thing to remember though is if you intend to publish them you will still have to get your subject to sign a "model release form" showing they give their permission for that.
   
   

2. Nudes

   - This can either be male or female. There is a huge difference between an artistic nude and an erotic or glamour shot. Artistic nudes are simple, all about tone, texture and form. They are not intended to convey sexuality. It can be quite challenging to photograph a classical nude. There is a great reliance on lighting and the right pose. If you consider yourself a competent photographer it is a challenge that you should consider.
   
   

3. Artistic Portraits

   - Try something different to create an arty, unique photograph. For example have the portrait slightly out of focus, making it less formal and more fun. Try a tight crop or a wide one leaving it mostly background. Try different angles for example side-on, or shoot upwards, or even downwards. Different lenses like a fish-eye can provide interesting pictures. Or try photographing it in infra-red, for a unique take on it. The key with this type of photography is to experiment - see what works and what doesn't. You may find it surprises you.
   
   

4. Gritty Portraits

   - These are almost always taken in black and white. They require the person being photographed to display a lot of their character in their facial features. Often the resulting pictures are fairly grainy. The direction on the light is very important, to maintain that raw quality. Again with a bit of practice and the right model some very characterful shots can be taken.
   
   

5. Fashion Photography

   - This is a lot less about the character of the subject and more about the clothes they are wearing. Often characterised by the full-length shot or the tight crop on a detail. Again as with nearly all portrait photography the lighting and the poses are all important. You almost have to give the clothes a personality and decide what you need to convey to the viewer to sell them. For example you wouldn't shoot bi-kini's at a ski resort, or conversely hats and scarfs on the Caribbean? Have a think and try to come up with some different poses and locations to get what you need.
   
   

That was a list of another 5 types of portrait photography. As you can see it is a very varied genre. I hope you now have a mindful of ideas, so what are you waiting for - grab you camera and get out there!
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