Photography is a highly visual art. Much like any art form, photography is not just about aesthetics. It is also about telling a story. This is especially true when photographing people as subjects. Capturing authentic emotions and feelings in an image is the key to creating truly compelling images. These images have the capacity to speak to the audience on a more personal level. Bruce Weber Photographer has been quite renowned for capturing stark emotions in his photos.
Bruce Weber Photographer briefly discusses a few insights that can help in showcasing emotions in photographs
There are several types of emotions that can be depicted through an image. People strive to highlight happiness, love, despair, sorrow, joy, and more through their photos. However, their interpretation may differ, depending on the viewer. The important challenge of capturing emotion is to make sure that it looks genuine. Focusing on the eyes of the subject can be a great way to showcase their emotions. In most cases, eyes are able to convey true emotions, no matter what other facial features indicate. A sampling person can still convey conflicting emotions, like fear or sadness, through their eyes. Even if the eyes of the subject are closed due to certain strong emotions, which is also fine. Overwhelming feelings, starting from extreme contentment to pain, can make a person close their eyes. On the whole, zooming in and filling the frame up with the face of the subject would be ideal for highlighting their emotions.
While emotional images are mostly close-up captures, a smartly selected background can also do wonders in drawing out the feeling depicted in the image. A photographer can add more emotion to the image by harnessing the power of the weather. A gloomy evening is ideal for creating a somber or sad atmosphere. On the other hand, a sunny day provides a happy background. The night time will be perfect for images that emphasize on igniting a fearful feeling.
The nature is full of distinguished backdrops that can add more emotions to the shots. By surrounding the subject with colorful, blooming flowers, one can create a happy imagery. On the other hand, placing the subject alone in an empty field helps in creating an aura of loneliness. Even indoor photography offers ample opportunities to set a scene for amplifying emotions to be portrayed through the photos. One must think of their images as elements of storytelling. The environment in which the subject is photographed is a vital aspect of the story. The place a subject is in can hint to the viewer about their emotional state, even before they notice the facial expressions. For instance, if a person is sitting alone, in a dark and empty room, it can convey a dramatic feeling of loneliness much more than a sad face.
Creative use of framing and props can also significantly help in achieving emotive photos. One can always explore the works of Bruce Weber Photographer and similar artists to gain a better understanding of how to showcase emotions through photos.
