The reason that so many portraits lack impact is that nothing seems to be happening. The person is just standing there, staring at your digital camera. Often they look bored. Sometimes they even look scared. The ’startled rabbit syndrome’ is often much in evidence. Rarely does the person actually look as if they’re having a good time.
Panasonic is producing some extremely good digital cameras right now, right from low-cost pocket-sized snapshot cameras to high-end enthusiasts models. Panasonic Lumix FZ3 shares the staggering 12x optical zooming range of the FZ10, but it’s a scaled down version with a smailer lens, body and sensor. Indeed, the 3.1-megapixel resolution is pretty tame by today’s standards, but it’s good enough for Canon with its PowerShot Pro SI. This is one of the Panasonic’s main rivals, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fare.
As with other Panasonics, it’s the lens that makes this model stand out. The 12x optical zooming range is just the start. It maintains the same f2.8 maximum aperture right across this range, unlike any of its rivals. It also incorporates an image stabiliser so those long-range shots. The image stabiliser will also help you get sharp shots in low ambient lighting. The long-range zoom makes the DMC FZ3 well-suited to sports and act ion photography, and this is backed up by high-performance continuous shooting and an innovative ‘pre-focusing’ system, which we’ll come onto shortly.
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When it comes to portraits, keeping it simple often leads to the most natural results. The difference is in the detail. It’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, and that’s definitely true with portrait digital photography. The slightest change in an expression can change the emotional impact of a picture totally, so it’s important that you keep shooting even when you think you’ve got the shot in the bag. Make sure you’re talking to the portrait sitter constantly, encouraging them and giving them feedback. Take your eye away from the viewfinder too, occasionally, as a little eye contact goes a long way to making the subject relaxed. You’ll need to literally call the shots – unless you’re dealing with a professional model, you’ll have to suggest poses and refine them where necessary.
Horizons can be kept perfectly plum because the human eye can readily pick up even minute slant and usually pursues it is a flaw. Most of the time you will want to follow this rule, particularly when shooting landscapes, but it’s also well worth breaking it and experimenting with shooting at an oblique angle. As well as being a fresh way to show familiar subject, a quirky angle can add energy and excitement, heighten psychological tension or even give scenes of voyeuristic or threatening feel.
