Stick dresser, Birmingham, England

© Philip Dunn

Close-up This man was a skilled 'stick dresser' - he crafted walking stick handles from rams' horn and wood. His workshop was in his garage and was so cluttered that there was hardly any room to move. But the light in that garage was gorgeous; soft and directional, perfect for the close-up portrait I was aiming for. To help reflect a little light up beneath the wide-brimmed hat, a white newspaper was laid out of shot on the workbench in front of the subject. Most people will relax more easily in front of a camera if they are able to do something with their hands - especially someone whose job involves working with his hands. However, this portrait was made easy by the subject's slightly flamboyant appearance - the bushy beard, straw hat and half frame spectacles all helped. But the intimacy of the photograph is achieved by getting the subject to just glance up from his work to look straight into the lens. It is no good asking someone to hold a pose like this. I let him polish the stick handle while I focused, then when I was absolutely ready, I asked him to look up. You do not need to carry expensive and cumbersone reflectors with you to reflect light up into a person's face. A newspaper, an open book, or a sheet of white paper or a handkerchief will work just as well if you position it carefully for maximum effect. Go back to People portraits index page Go back to main home page