When I was in college, for something other than photography, I looked at a study of genres of photography that were judged on a measure of how long a viewer pauses to look at a photo. The obvious findings are that portraits stand alone at the top most of the time spent gazing at them, overshadowing landscapes and other popular genres, if I remember correctly. I say “if I remember” because trying my best, I can’t find this study again, and a decade has passed. Whether the study is reliable or not, it’s not a far-fetched conclusion: we like to observe people.
Here’s one way to explain why portraits can impress you and why they’re likely to impress more often than other genres. But why do some portraits attract us more than others? In a sense, every portrait photographer is determined to uncover this secret, and perhaps some are too. I have taken over 100,000 portraits, from editorials, street, portraits, weddings, etc., and I still don’t feel confident answering questions. That said, I have a few criteria that seem important.
What makes this subject so challenging is that — like composition — it is possible to break all the rules and still get an amazing image. It is also possible to follow all the rules and leave a scary image. And as if this minefield wasn’t enough, the portrait that impresses you the most can leave an otherwise completely sensitive photographer completely cold.
However, here are some similarities between portraits that strike me, both my own and those of others.
Eye
I’ll leave you with the clichés about the eyes – we all know how important they are. While many portraits will have the subject looking into the lens, in order for the photo to simulate eye contact, the photo must have something special about it. Honestly, I’m not sure what the difference is between these two photos, but if a portrait feels as if it’s making eye contact with me, it resonates. These images tend to stay with me in some way. The image above of dancer Hanna Hughes has that quality to me, and it caught my eye. Perhaps it has more to do with what’s happening around the eyes — the person’s expressions, for example — but some portraits seem to move to hold your gaze a little longer than others. another portrait.
Lighting
As a light provider, it should come as no surprise that lighting is on this list; Lighting in any scene, of any genre, can make or break the final image. The important thing is, I wouldn’t say the lighting has to be “fantastic”, but it has to be relevant and impactful. In the image above by singer Ryan Beatty, the lighting isn’t glitzy golden hour or complicated setup. Instead, it’s subtle and matches the style I’m aiming for: a dreamy, slightly underexposed and soft image.
As far as I can tell, the type of light the portrait has in has no effect on whether it resonates or not; there are well-lit portraits, natural light, low light, natural light — all with examples that resonate. What is important is the role of light, as a supporting actor, highlighting other elements that make an image great or as a main feature.
Story
Story is arguably the most difficult quality to define, but also one of the most powerful. Portrait photographers who can tell a visual story consistently are a rare type of person. I’ve only managed it (by my own standards at least) a few times and I’ll be open to those who object to even those images. The photo above is from Karrianne, a Sámi from Rørosrein in Norway. Reindeer are central and important to the Sámi people, providing plenty of relief in the freezing cold. The respect and love that Karrianne has for their herd of reindeer, which mostly roam in the wild, is warming. This image is not staged; For me (and hopefully others), it’s just a moment that tells a story. For that reason, I have a special affection for it, and it’s a portrait that pops into my mind quickly.
unique
Of course, there’s one more predictable factor that causes images to resonate, portraiture or otherwise: originality. The image above, now 13 years old, is one that I no longer appreciate, having spent over a decade focusing on my own mistakes, but it is my most successful shot. It has been displayed in galleries around the world, has been ordered printed once by art collectors, and has been stolen so many times that I cannot count. There’s something about it that resonates with people and takes some guesswork out of it, but what interests me most is that it’s not an image like many of the images you’ll see. For that reason alone, it is more likely to attract attention than a typical portrait. If someone can create a powerful portrait unlike anything I’ve seen before, it will certainly resonate with me.
Final thoughts
The four common themes found in portraits strike me as not an exhaustive list. I would go as far as to say that it is possible to have portraits that resonate with me without ticking any boxes. Perhaps they are just four possible paths to a portrait that resonates.
What portraits have you taken that seem to resonate with everyone? What do you think their success is? Do you disagree with any of the criteria I suggest? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
