I think the best
portraits show us something real about the person. I don't think you can do that with a total stranger that you haven't 'engaged' somehow. So, candid street photography in which the subject is unaware never interested me (in my own work). I do like candid street photography. I think Walker Evans 35mm work in the subways of New York and his street shots all over the world are great, as an example. They're great photos, but I don't consider them "portraits", more documents. They're somehow missing the active, intent connection between subject and viewer.
I want to do portraits because I like to make a connection. I don't need to go as far as Karsh, who said in his autobiography that he intended to 'strip the soul bare'. I also don't wish to create a fake-reality, as Avedon did with the suggestions that people should imagine losing their family at Auschwitz or telling them that he killed a dog on the way to the sitting. I endeavor to get something that's honest and real.
On my site, the Lifeguard portraits were of virtual strangers. I had introduced myself a few days prior and we agreed to meet at sunset later in the week. I explained my intent, and all I said to them before I made the exposure was in reference to the responsibility they had on their shoulders when they were watching kids in the surf. I think a little of that pride they felt shows in the portraits.
The portraits on my site of the Lama and the Shaman were also of virtual strangers. I met them for the first time at the shoot. English was not a primary language for either. I asked some questions about their technique, talked to them about my technique, particularly Platinum-Palladium, and tried to create a calming atmosphere. Both the Lama and the Shaman understood the concept of 'chi', and so on a few exposures I asked them to think about pushing chi through the lens. I felt that that focused their energy in a way that was detectable.
Sometimes when I do portraits, especially with subjects that aren't 'giving' me much to work with, I'll ask them to to close their eyes and think about their mother. Sometimes this gives me something interesting. Sometimes I'll ask them to think of some achievement that they're particularly proud of, or their kids, or the last great meal they had at a restaurant. Maybe we'll talk about that for a minute. I'll look for something to come alive in their eyes. I've always liked portraits of people, especially kids, laughing.
I see strangers from time to time that I would like to photograph, but since I prefer 8x10, I never have the camera with me to do it right then. And, approaching a stranger and talking to them about a shoot sometime in the future hasn't worked so far. Sometimes they say yes, but it doesn't get scheduled. I am thinking about making up some 5x8 postcards with an image on the front, and contact info, website, email, etc., on the back, and using that to persuade people that I'm sincere. There are places that will print these fairly inexpensively now.
Neal
www.nealwilsonstudio.com