الشخصيات .. كيف تلتقط أجمل الصور .. كتاب التصوير الضوئي

Characters .. How to take the most beautiful pictures .. The book of photography

Before the invention of photography, successful painters were those who knew how to capture a person's likeness, praising him for exaggerating the physical characteristics that this person wanted to show to others. The art of photography freed the painter from searching for this likeness, which became completely guaranteed. The photographer in those times had to adapt to the long shots provided by the vertical support, which forced the model (the model or the person to be photographed) to remain still. The result was often artificial poses and an inexpressive look.

After 1851 and the discovery of wet collodion, which was followed by the discovery of the light-sensitive mixture, gelatin. Silver bromide, photographers were able to work instantly and were able to capture a quick movement or a distinct expression expressed by their model. Given that portraiture was then the most important activity in professional photography - in 1866 there were about 300 portrait studios in Paris - the forced poses had disappeared, except for photographers whose clients considered the forced poses to be dignified and well-mannered.

Today, capturing a facial resemblance is within the reach of anyone who can hold a camera: but this resemblance can be taken in different ways: humor, melancholy, anger, determination, softness, etc. When taking a picture, decide what expression you want to give to your model: it is preferable that this expression shows his personality. The pose can be relaxed or classical, and this is something that must be determined when you start preparing the pose because it depends on the relationships that will be established between you and your model.

The success of a portrait can be explained by its ability to show - more than words - the appearance of a person at a given moment. A photograph instantly and permanently records a person in his environment or a group of people during a special event—a family gathering, an outdoor picnic, a wedding, a birthday party—a scene that will never be repeated exactly the same, and only a photographic machine can preserve the memory with complete objectivity. In general, photographs that represent people are of greater interest to the viewer than other pictures (except perhaps those of animals). (The study of man is the study of humanity): If the English poet Alexander Pope were alive today, he would certainly use a photographic machine.

Variations on a single subject

Three portraits by David Hockney or how he treats a single subject in different ways. The top image represents an unconventional painter. Hockney has climbed a small ladder to enter the frame of the picture. The picture has a flat perspective with abstract subjects as in his own paintings. His unique and strange character helped to create a completely free approach. For the bottom image, I was attracted by the seat that perfectly suits the artist's inclinations and personality. I looked for a pose that relates to the geometric shape and the theatrical scene of the seat. Here the seat is as if covered by the artist's extended arms, which leads to a picture with a decorative style.

The image on page 83 shows the changing face of this unique character. In any case, it was not necessary to relax the model, it was enough to wait for the right expression. The curves of the face and the glasses in this picture combine well to give a beautiful composition.
Above: Hasselblad 1/60 sec. 11 Octachrome EX. Below is a Hasselblad wide-angle lens with 16-megapixel Ektachrom EX electronic flash. To the left is a Hasselblad long-burner lens with 16-megapixel Ektachrom EX electronic flash.