As photographers, we should always strive to create more interest in our images and what better way of doing that than by capturing our subjects as they would be seen carrying out some tasks or other at their place of work or perhaps a hobbyist seen diligently putting the final touches to another masterpiece.
This type of photography is better known as, 'Reportage' and can even border on 'Photojournalism'. Unlike the standard portrait, where your concentration is centred on the main subject alone, in 'Reportage' portraiture, you are creating a story about your subject and the more information you can include in your image, the more you will build your story.
These portraits can be posed or impromptu. If posed, you may have time to pre-arrange the shoot and organize lighting, etc., but with impromptu, or candid shots, you more often than not, just need to accept potluck on the day. With candid shots too, the subject is not always looking in the direction of the camera, so it is advisable to at least show in the image what his or her gaze is fixed on. See 'The eyes have it'
Your subject must be in clear focus of course, but because the immediate area surrounding your subject includes relative material, it too must be in focus when you compose your shot or made to look just slightly out of focus to put the emphasis on the main subject.
To put you in the picture, so to speak, if you were photographing a Blacksmith at his place of work, for instance, hammering away at some red-hot piece of iron on the anvil and there, around him, are his tools-of-trade and certain implements and items that he himself has proudly manufactured.
You may well want to include as much of this material as possible, as it is all relevant and helps add detail to your story. Also, take down some notes about your subject, as these, will help complete your goal.
If you have a mind to include his company logo, you may have to ask his permission and then perhaps offer to send him a copy of the resulting image.
You have created your story. "Here is the Blacksmith, here is his trade, this is what he does and around him is what he makes". You should also portray him in his rugged dress or manner, but try to show his true character.
The simple point and shoot camera, or one used in auto or programme mode, is quite adequate for these candid shots, but that's not to say you can't use your camera's manual settings if you so desire. This way you can try a range of settings, change lenses, try with fill-flash, or without, but you may also have to adjust the shutter speed or ISO rating according to and for the ambient light conditions.
Look for brightness and colour for impact. A balloon blowing clown you may sometimes come across at the local market can make a great subject for this, but try to include some of the children and their transfixed gaze, as they eagerly await the results of what will be produced from the seemingly endless supply of colourful, twisted balloons. I hope this has inspired you to try a little 'Reportage' photography. With a bit of imagination who knows where it may lead?
