This is the fifth and final installment of my five part discussion on the differences between snapshots and portraits.
Differences Between Snapshots and Portraits
1. Light and Exposure
2. Focus and Depth of Field
3. Texture
4. Composition
5. Color
Avoid mix and matching color combinations!
I selected to discuss color last, simply because I think it’s the most forgiving. However, that does not mean it can be taken lightly. If you are going to be making color prints, it is important to ensure the colors within the photo complimentary.
Take a look at my example above for a moment. Before this particular photo shoot, I met with the mother of the girl and we discussed outfit options for a number of 2nd birthday portrait options. In the end, we thought the pink/yellow/white dress would look absolutely adorable against a pure white high-key background. I then went shopping for colored fondant and flower shaped cookie cutters so we could recreate the flowers on the girl’s dress specifically for the cake.
So, while a snapshot could have been taken with any cake plopped in front of the girl, using a “matching” color and pattern cake sets this photos a couple notches above and create the perfect 2nd year portrait.
Great artists have always thought about colors before putting anything down on canvas, photography is no different. If the colors you’re seeing clash and do not compliment each one, fix it! Change the location, clothing, accessories … do whatever it takes. You owe it to yourself and the model in your photo to create a portrait and not just another run-of-the-mill snapshot.
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