---

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM OUR RUNNERS-UP

---

Lovin' Life © Catherine Panebianco

Our readers sent us lots of photos of lovely smiling faces, and we're happy to present some of them in this month's Double Exposure Challenge. Congratulations to our winners, Catherine Panebianco, Melanie Frederick, and Fran Miller. We also congratulate our 10 runners-up, whose photos appear in the accompanying gallery.

As photographers, we often shoot portraits of people, but how often do we concentrate on their smile—or for that reason—any spontaneous expression at all? Try giving yourself an assignment of people watching (before picking up your camera) to see how uniquely interesting each person is. The variety of individual subjects presents a challenge to the photographer, such as revealing character or capturing expression through the lens. When photographing people, it’s usually their faces that hold our interest. A person’s smile can say a lot, like revealing a child’s love for a new puppy or the joy between two close friends.

The human face is capable of a multitude of expressions, and many of them are quick and fleeting. Capturing an expression that tells something of a person’s character is a challenge that many portrait photographers try to tackle. Capturing expressions and mood begins with observing people carefully. We look at people’s faces constantly—when looking at images, TV, the Internet, and people that we come in contact with on a daily basis. With people we are very familiar with, we must make a conscious effort to try to see them anew and look for their changing expressions. You’ll see that the slightest variation in a person’s face can totally change the feeling you get from looking at him/her. We know that a smile shows joy and contentment. But a half-smile can indicate very different emotions such as dreaminess or deep thought.

Three Big Smiles © Melanie Frederick

Another important element of capturing a fleeting emotion is timing. This is true of all types of people photography. In photojournalism, good timing is necessary to get a picture that best tells the story, but in portrait photography, timing is also crucial. Even in a very carefully posed photograph, the subject’s expression can change quickly. The most successful portrait captures the moment in which the face is the most expressive and natural. Timing requires patience and practice, as well as an observant eye and quick reflexes. You must first see the perfect moment before you can shoot it, and you need to learn to anticipate the moment—to have your picture planned and camera ready when a great portrait (and smile) come together.

The most common reason that people take pictures of others is to have a keepsake of their family and friends. Images of our loved ones show what we looked like at those times of our lives, and these photographs often show happy, smiling people. These pictures may also bring back memories of those who are gone. We photograph family gatherings, holidays, weddings, birthdays, baby showers, as well as day-to-day occurrences that might otherwise be overlooked. Sometimes these everyday events result in our fondest memories of our loved ones in photos.

For those of us who love photography, a picture often serves as a way to communicate a message. We all have trouble expressing ourselves at times,

My Grandson's Lips © Fran Miller

and photography can help to convey those thoughts and feelings. If you have something to say but are on the bashful side, or if you want to portray an idea, photography can be a wonderful vehicle. As with the trite but true statement: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The camera allows you to express what you feel about your subjects.

Altering the light can play a part in capturing a person’s mood. For example, your family at a social gathering will look more cheerful in sunny conditions than in a bluish shadow caused by clouds. Adding a little fill flash can bring out form and lessen contrast. The gold light of sunrise or sunset will contribute to an overall warm feeling in your photos.

When photographing people’s expressions, get close enough to your subjects to show their faces clearly, concentrate on getting sharp, well-exposed images, and be patient. Many people are comfortable in front of the lens, but others will undoubtedly be less so. With experience, you can learn how to make them relax and feel comfortable, resulting in natural-looking photos of happy faces. As you get into the habit of watching people throughout the day, you’ll start to recognize which visual elements are the ones that best convey the spirit of the moment. You’ll become more sensitive to people’s personalities, and you’ll be better prepared to reveal that personality when you get behind the lens. And one of the best things about photographing a happy face is that smiles are infectious—so go out and capture those pearly whites!

Take our next Double Exposure Challenge! Look for details on our "Autumn" Call for Entries in this issue.

---

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM OUR RUNNERS-UP

---

Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to Lynne Eodice.