Hunting for intriguing locations and taking once-in-a-lifetime shots is part of the fun of photography. That's why photographers who have some cash left after expensive lens and camera purchases are probably going to use it to splurge on travel, even if only down the road.. After all, when it all comes down to it, certain shots must be taken at a specific location.
Portraits, in particular, can have a dramatically different result depending on the environment a subject is in. Whether you're documenting the people you meet or creating beautiful memories with your travel companions, on-location portrait photography always carries with it some important considerations.
Here's what you should keep in mind so that you can consistently take great portraits when on tour:
1) Bring a DSLR—but don't bring too many lenses
If you're travelling specifically to do portrait photography, you may well want to own or rent a DSLR. As amazing as today's phone cameras are, there's still no substitute for the larger sensor sizes, the ability to swap out lenses and the ability to control aperture.
That aside, a full complement of lenses, stands and lighting gear may be out of the question. You won't always have the time to fully stage your shots, and bringing all these accessories may be too cumbersome.
Fortunately, a versatile zoom lens or a more compact prime lens with a fixed focal length should cover most of your bases without unnecessarily weighing you down. These lens types should work for most of your portraiture needs:
- 50mm: This lens type is lightweight, affordable, and can offer a natural field of view that mimics human vision, often with beautiful bokeh.
- 85mm: These lenses are a go-to for general-purpose portraiture because of their flattering focal length and their ability to easily isolate subjects against a blurred background.
- 24-70mm: These zoom lenses are versatile and cover a wide range of focal lengths, making them ideal for both close-up portraits and wider environmental shots. If you had to take just one lens on a trip, something in this category should be a good fit.
Whatever your focal length, for portrait photography you will want as wide an aperture as you can find / afford for your camera.
Photo by Mesut Kaya on Unsplash
2) Engage with Your Subject
A knack for building rapport is what sets good portrait photographers apart from hobbyists. No matter if you're photographing a local or a trusted travel companion—taking the time to engage with them will make it far easier to capture more authentic expressions and emotions.
3) Plan Your Shots
You must be ready to capture spontaneous moments on the road. However, this doesn't mean that you don't need to be prepared. A little planning and location scouting will give you opportunities to conceptualise uniquely engaging portraits and give you a real sense of purpose during your shoot.
If you have time before your trip, look up some existing shots of the locations you'll be visiting so you have a better feel for what you want to do when you get there.
4) Use the Locale's Natural Light
The destination's latitude, weather conditions, altitude, and geographic makeup all contribute to uniquely identifiable lighting conditions. Harnessing the natural light of the locale will, therefore, strengthen the subject's connection to their surrounding environment and make for a much more authentic and localised portrait.
5) Incorporate Local Elements
Photo by Jake Weirick on Unsplash
Speaking of localisation, you mustn't forget that the local environment is why you are travelling there in the first place. Including elements like a traditional outfit, an iconic landmark, or local architecture provides a strong context for your portraits and affords them a more compelling narrative.
However, that doesn't mean that you should always be striving to work as many local elements as you can into the shot. Keep an eye out for backgrounds that complement or contrast with your subject without overpowering them. Keep things simple when possible.
6) Learn about and Respect the Local Culture
If your goal is to take pictures of locals, be sure to gain their consent and get to know their cultural norms before you even point your camera at them. Many cultures find spontaneous portraits intrusive, so you must do your research before you make your trip.
Even in cultures that are accepting of photographers, there will also be individuals who do not like having their pictures taken. Knowing that, always ask for permission and respect a potential subject's wishes if they decline.
7) Get Close to Your Subject
If you're going to be taking portraits of locals, don't be afraid to get close to them. Filling the frame with your subject's face or upper body will create a more intimate portrait that captures the details of their expression and hints at what life is like where they live.
8) Pay Attention to Composition
The fundamental rules of photographic composition apply wherever you are in the world. It would be a waste to travel with great equipment only to come up with amateurish shots.
Still new to photography? Stick with tried-and-true compositional techniques like the rule of thirds and leading lines to produce consistently good portraits. Once you have those down, feel free to experiment with varying angles and perspectives to produce more interesting shots.
9) Focus on the Eyes
As cliche as it sounds, the eyes really are the windows to the soul, and they should be the focal point of almost every portrait. When in doubt about your approach, just make sure the eyes are sharp and well-lit to show off your subject's humanity.
Photo by Himanshu Singh Gurjar on Unsplash
Bringing It All Together
With these tips and the right gear, you'll be well-equipped to capture compelling portraits that also show off the locales you're visiting. So long as you don't lose sight of the most important things in portraiture and location shooting, you're bound to come home from your trip with plenty of great photos.
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
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All of the views expressed in this work are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Travel with Intent
Copyright Yves Estrella, 15 September 2024
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