Leaving Your Comfort Zone: Landscape Photographer Shoots Portraits

As a photographer, my lens has been my window to the world, a conduit through which I've captured the grandeur of nature's landscapes. From the sweeping vistas of mountains to the tranquil embrace of forests, I've dedicated my craft to preserving the beauty of the outdoors. Yet, a whisper of curiosity has tugged at me, urging me to step outside my comfort zone and explore the realm of portrait photography for a long time.

At a recent visit with some relatives, I was asked to take some senior year images for my wives niece, as I am the "photographer." Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed and set off with my trusty Canon EOS R and the versatile 70-200mm f/4L lens in hand. I embarked on a journey that would challenge my perception of photography and redefine my artistic narrative. I wold also need to break out my flash, which is something that I have done just a handful of times before.

The spark that ignited my journey into portrait photography wasn't sudden; it had simmered beneath the surface for a while, yet I had never taken a single portrait shot. I've always been drawn to stories, to the emotions that linger just beneath the surface of a captured moment, especially when looking at the fantastic images I saw from other photographers who were producing some incredible shots of humans in nature. With this curiosity, I found myself standing at the crossroads of my craft, eager to explore a dimension that was both exciting and unknown.

So, my voyage into portrait photography would begin at a local park— a lush canvas teeming with life and possibilities. The same compositional instincts that had guided me through landscapes now guided me to frame my niece amidst the vibrant surroundings. Armed with my 70-200mm lens, I sought to capture candid moments that resonated with both her vivacity and the natural beauty of the park.

As sunlight filtered through the foliage, I adapted my landscape sensibilities to this new challenge. I knew that maintaining a shallow depth of field was essential for isolating my subject and adding a soft background. Shooting at f/4, the lens' widest aperture, I could achieve this effect while ensuring fast shutter speeds to freeze motion and keep the images sharp. The aperture, a tool I had long mastered in landscapes, now came alive as I used it to add a touch of bokeh to my compositions. This delicate background blur created a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of my expansive landscape work. Ideally, I would have liked to shoot at f/2.8; however, this wasn't an option for me, of course.

I wanted to ensure that I got to a variety of locations, so next, it was off to a beach that stretched its golden arms towards the horizon. Here, the majestic Ballycotton lighthouse would stand on the horizon as a sentinel against the azure expanse. The 70-200mm lens again became my storyteller, allowing me to encapsulate both the human form and the distant lighthouse in a single frame.

In this setting, depth and perspective played center stage. My niece's form stood poised against the backdrop of the lighthouse. This rendered the background as a soft subject, allowing the lighthouse's details to persist as a faint emblem of maritime spirit. As I framed my shot, I marveled at how this portrait encapsulated both the essence of portraiture and the essence of the sprawling landscape. I then began to have some fun, and we took some candid shots as well as having my subject jump and play on the sand.

Next, we were off to an old castle/folly that I had photographed many times before. Its weathered stones steeped in history would act as a nice out-of-focus subject in the background. Against this backdrop, my niece became a contemporary muse intertwined with the echoes of the past. Here, the 70-200mm lens revealed its versatility as it captured her vitality against the castle's timeless solemnity.

In this instance, I aimed for an aperture setting between f/4 and f/5.6. This choice allowed me to embrace the background without overpowering my subject. The ancient arches and textured stones formed a textured frame for my portrait, a visual symphony of history and youth. The deliberate use of bokeh here, a technique honed through landscapes, added an element of separation that underscored the interplay between subject and surroundings.

My portrait odyssey found its conclusion in the embrace of my local woods – a sanctuary of serenity and contemplation. The 70-200mm lens once again became my guide, capturing my niece's introspection as sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Here, I experimented with poses. Against an ancient tree, she reclined in contemplation. The aperture oscillated between f/4 and f/5.6, as I aimed to capture the interplay of light and shadow. Bokeh emerged organically, a gentle cocoon around her form, echoing the calm that permeated the woods. I thought this location would be the easiest for me. As I had plenty of practice at the other locations earlier, I was feeling more comfortable behind the camera, and my subject was also feeling like she was getting into the swing of things.

As my portrait expedition drew to a close, I found myself enriched with invaluable insights. Shooting almost exclusively at f/4 provided the perfect balance between isolating the subject and maintaining a connection to the environment. The wide aperture facilitated fast shutter speeds, allowing me to capture candid moments without compromising sharpness.

Moreover, this journey taught me the significance of embracing different perspectives. My familiarity with landscape composition seamlessly translated into creating captivating portraits against diverse backdrops. The dance of light and shadow, a hallmark of my landscape work, became equally vital in adding depth and dimension to my portraits. Of course, as it was really my first time, perhaps what I produced wasn't up to par with what others would or could produce. Nonetheless, I enjoyed learning on the go and, of course, looking at the finished images.

The journey from landscapes to portraits was a short a voyage of discovery. Armed with my Canon EOS R and the versatile 70-200mm f/4L lens, combined with my flash, I've painted a portrait of exploration and evolution, a testament to the harmony between landscape and portrait. Through the lens of curiosity, I've created a tapestry of portraits, each one as diverse and resonant as the varied landscapes that have always been my muse. In the end, my expedition taught me that the art of photography is a limitless canvas where every brushstroke, every aperture setting, and every frame tells a unique story.

I think I will be giving this a go again for sure, as it actually felt great to step outside my comfort zone, and overall, I was happy with the results.

Have you examples of a time when you stepped outside your comfort zone, either good or bad?

Darren J. Spoonley, is an Ireland-based outdoor photographer, Podcaster, Videographer & Educator with a passion for capturing the beauty of our world.