Technique Tuesday: Give Me A Show Of Hands – The Finer Points Of Good Portraiture

Good Afternoon Everybody,

Hey, better late than never, right?  Sorry for the late post today.  The morning got a little ahead of me and before long it was nearly 4:00 p.m. and I hadn’t even begun the post yet.  No problem, I got it together and posted on the “air” before midnight ;~)

Hey, all joking aside, I think you’re really going to like the post today, especially if you want to  make your images look their best. With the trend towards “run and gun” photography, by far too many photographers, much of the wedding images all look the same.  I’m suggesting at least understanding a few “tools and techniques” of the portrait masters of years past will help you to create your own style.  Knowing those details really can make your images stand above your competition and away from the crowd.  And, if the crowd doesn’t care, doesn’t want to make an effort to learn at least you should if this is your path as a true professional.

Fine portraiture is not just smiles and pretty faces. It's about making the client look the best they can from head to toe, including right on down to the smallest details. Those details include, in addition to so many other aspects, how the client's hands are presented in the image. It's our job to enhance and flatter our clients, key on their assets and camouflage the areas that may need less attention. That includes their hands.

Most photographers today pay NO attention to such things, but artists in past had to be sensitive to the finer points of the portraits they painted as they were painting for the royalty and prominent citizens. If those in the royal court were presented in an unflattering manner or looked bad, heads, literally, would roll.

Why not hit the PLAY button and enjoy the presentation.

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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  I’ve got a few announcements for tomorrow’s post so I hope you’ll join me.

See ya’ then,

David