PORTRAITS Get gritty

Use natural light and a reflector for an edgy character image

With portrait photography you are normally trying to flatter your subject with your images, but there are times when getting gritty is the way to go. It’s really easy to achieve with black-and-white and a willing ‘character’ as your subject.

As a rule, this style of shooting is best suited to a more mature, male face, so have a think about who among your friends and family might fit the bill. It’s best to be honest that you are going for a photo with edge, rather than one that makes them look 10 years younger!

A focal length around the 70 to 100mm mark is perfect for a head-and-shoulders composition – and if your lens allows you to shoot at f/2.8, the limited depth of field will look amazing. Remember that the eyes must be sharp, so that’s always where you focus. Using natural light, a silver reflector and a dark background, you’ll get a result that looks great even before you start to boost its grittiness in editing.