4 x 5 Portraits

Personally, I believe portraits are the most interesting and challenging of all photographs. The challenge lies in the ability to capture a personality with a single photograph—a mere fraction of a second to describe the intangible essence of a person. When this is achieved, however, the photograph becomes more than a tangible object. It becomes a commentary on the subject’s experiences and how those experiences have affected the person. When viewing a photograph, an observer will form a story about the subject from all the information that is presented. Herein lies the importance of creating a photograph that accurately portrays a person’s character.