Portrait Photography
Portrait Photography Then And Now
Throughout history, people have never wavered in their desire to produce visuals of their likeness. Thanks to portrait photography that is now such a breeze. One click of the shutter and portrait photography has presented you with your face, frozen in time on glossy paper. Nowadays, portrait photography might just actually be megapixels of your image stored on a memory card!
Portraiture has not always been as easy as portrait photography is today. Before the 18th century, portraits were generally regarded as exclusively for the rich, and maybe those famous and with money, to boot. Skills-wise, traditional portraiture demanded such skill to produce a striking likeness to the subject, unlike with today’s portrait photography where it is a given that your portrait will actually be your face. Prior to the advent of portrait photography, hits and misses were not uncommon in portraiture. There were actually instances then when the portrait, no thanks to the skill of the portrait artist, was a far cry from the actual face of the subject. Of course, those who could afford just had one portrait done after the other, until the subject was satisfied that the portrait was in his or her absolute likeness.
Long before the advent of portrait photography, too, was the rise in demand for less expensive portraits. Thus, the popularity of profile pictures and miniature portraits. Of course, with today’s modern equipment and technology, portrait photography comes in varied sizes and even a rainbow of colors.
When it comes to flexibility, traditional portraiture can never hold a candle to portrait photography as it is known today. During the 18th century, people who wanted their portraits done endured long hours of sitting still and holding a specific pose. Not anymore today, with portrait photography. One can have as many costume or outfit changes in one sitting, and nary suffer through stiff muscles in the process. Before portrait photography, varied ways and means were even devised to keep the subject as still as can be. Imagine a metal clamp behind one’s head to keep from moving! Today, a session of portrait photography may even involve dance music to keep the subject in the mood and in keeping with a select theme of the photo portraits.
Portrait photography now or portraiture in the 18th century? No contest.
Posted by: Portrait Gallery 
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