Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is one of the oldest and most popular genres in photography. Originating alongside painting, it found its place in photographic art early on by capturing more than just appearance - personality, emotion and individual history. From the first black and white images to modern high-tech techniques, portraiture has evolved, always with the aim of capturing the essence of the subject in an authentic and expressive way.

Key features

Focus on personality: The aim is to capture facial expressions, gestures and eye contact that reflect the individual nature and emotions of the subject.-
Composition and posing: The deliberate arrangement of the subject, background and other elements of the image supports the narrative character of the portrait. A distinction is often made between classic, staged shots and spontaneous, documentary moments.
Lighting and colour: The use of natural or artificial light and the deliberate use of shadow and contrast help to create depth, mood and structure in the image. The choice of colour or black and white can also have a strong impact on the emotional impact.

Technical and artistic approaches

Technical aspects: Camera settings such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO play an important role. A wide aperture is often used to emphasise the subject and soften the background. The choice of lens and the use of depth of field help to focus on what is important.
Artistic choices: In addition to technical mastery, a sense of 'the right moment' is crucial - whether in a planned, staged environment or in spontaneous, authentic situations. Creative perspectives, unusual angles and the deliberate use of light and shadow give the portrait an individual artistic expression. Image editing often plays a supporting role in shaping the final visual statement.