One criticism often read or heard about wedding photographers, particularly wedding photojournalists, is that many, most, or even all of them, depends upon who is spouting forth, couldn't shoot good portraits to save themselves.
Before delving into that argument, I must first say that statements like this beg the question of what actually constitiutes a good portrait.
Is it an image that captures, accurately the likeness of a subject?
One that shows the subject's character?
An image that tells us more?
Brings us closer? or
Simply any image that the client is happy to pay for?
We should consider that everyone reads pictures differently so answers to the above question will, of course vary and we should remember that good portraits require a degree of trust, especially on the part of the subject and that the photographer must see and shoot for his or herself.
On this topic I recently listened to an interview with Platon, the portrait photographer, who in addition to talking about the similarity of music and pictures, see my recent post on this subject, stated several interesting points one of which was his response to the question;
"What's your best portrait ever?"
His reply was the exact same that I give when people ask "What's the best wedding you've ever shot?"
"My next one."
