Todd Hido
At LensCulture they've put up some practical advice from Todd Hido on some portrait essentials:
LC: In your opinion, what are some of the qualities that make some photographic portraits stand out and apart from ordinary photos of people? Can you offer some examples of great photo portraits that hold power for you?
TH: Richard Avedon’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe. It’s the epitome for me of an unguarded portrait. It was apparently taken at a moment when she didn’t realize she was supposed to be “on,” and it shows what I gather is the exact opposite of what it was she was trying to portray, most likely your typical flirty persona. But what it actually shows is a person that seems to be lost within themselves and looking very much inward.
Now, of course nobody knows what Marilyn was feeling at that moment and we all know that photography is the best truth teller and the best liar all at the same time. And things magically appear different when they’re photographed, as Mr. Gary Winogrand used to say. So that leaves us with what I believe is the most important part of photography, that is that we the viewers fill the photograph with meaning and we bring our own issues and concerns with us.
LC: As a teacher, what kinds of advice do you give your students when it comes to preparing for, and making, successful portraits?
TH: To be kind is most important. After that, be prepared with a plan of how you’re going to make the picture. An example in my case would be, every time I photograph somebody, I always scout out the spot I’m going to photograph them in and try to anticipate what the light is going to be like and modify it if needed.
Also, one other thing that is very important, is what the person will wear in the photograph. Wardrobe is obviously a very important component in photographs. You could either go with whatever it is they’re wearing if you’re bound to reality, but if you’re not, it’s very good to have the person bring several different things to wear because having the right clothing makes a tremendous difference. I usually opt for dark solids because it makes their face be what’s highlighted in the resulting portrait.