3 Stunning Portraits and What they Teach about Travel Photography

11/11/09  Print this post Print this post    2 Comments   Popular   Written by Joshywashington
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Travel portraits are often the most memorable and dramatic pictures you will bring home. Here we examine three portraits, each of which illustrates different techniques in travel photography.
Fill the frame.

Oftentimes the easiest way to get a striking, attention-grabbing image is to get as close as possible. Fill the frame with your subject’s face, or, as in this case, focus on a single captivating feature.

Photo : Stuck in Customs

Provide context.

Other times, the key is keeping your distance and allowing your subject to go on about his / her activities.

Photo : Christian Bachellier

Capture subject’s personality.

The most engaging travel portraits reveal subtext, personality. Here we not only see the details of this stoic man’s face but also the curiosity that plays just beneath the surface.

Photo : jonrawlinson

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

What techniques do you utilize for portraiture? Please share in the comments below.

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About the Author

Matador ID: joshywashington

Joshua Johnson aka Joshywashington is a soggy Seattle based adventurer with a penchant for misty mountains and black coffee. Read Josh's BLOG, watch his VIDEOS and connect on TWITTER. He and his wife Bridget operate their New Media production company, Confluence Creative Media from Seattle and L.A.

2 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Nilas replied on November 11, 2009

    Love seing a lot of travel photography here. I can see that this is a debate opener, but I think its pretty low on information.

    This is a good watch if interested in portraiture in practice, http://www.wired.com/video/street-portrait-photo-how-to/27609165001

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  • Travel-Writers-Exchange.com replied on November 13, 2009

    Thanks for the advice on travel photography. Most people probably wouldn’t think about filling the frame. Great idea to “zoom in” and focus on feature like the eyes. You could write something to go along with the photograph to make it a complete package.

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