Include these for stronger portraits

We all want to create more meaningful work, photographs that go beyond the aesthetically pleasing and start to tell a story about your subject. There are a number of ways to achieve this, we can think about backgrounds or the angle we are shooting  from or the lens we use. In fact, we should be thinking about these aspects with every shot we take. But here’s an extra thing to think about while photographing people – As if you didn’t already have enough to think about, right?

People say the eyes are the window to the soul, and while certainly not as expressive, I believe hands can be just as telling. The human hand can communicate so much. Wrinkles, scars and claenliness all add to help build up a story.

For instance, take a look at the photo above. The smooth hands and, almost manicured, nails of the novice monk, lead the viewer to imagine a simple life. And this is what this shot is all about, a life of devotion, worship and simplicity. The hands have helped me to tell that story.

Now look at the shot below.

Completely different. But it’s not just by its physical appearance, that adds to the story. It’s also what what the hands are doing that tell us so much. I met this rickshaw puller in Amritsar, northern India back in 2010. I remember I was fascinated by his hands. I spent a few minutes with him and with my translator we exchanged pleasentaries. As he lit his beedi (a cheap Indian Cigarette) I was drawn to the way he cupped his hands, carefully shielding the flame from the cool evening breeze as he awaits his next job.

I hung around with this man (unfortunately, I don’t seem to have a record of his name) for  about 4 more beedis, which probably wasn’t much more than half an hour or so. But it allowed me time to get these shots.

So, next time you’re out shooting portraits pay attention to the hands. Even if they are not holding anything they can help interest to a photo.