When I glanced at the Lens-Artists Challenge of Portraits, my first thought was, “I’m in trouble this week!” Portraits are so far out of my comfort zone. I would rather put my camera away than take a portrait. . . .

Unless . . . the person does not realize they are being photographed!

I guess that falls into the category of candid photography but it is still people, right? Photographers are the most fun to capture while they are clicking away. I have watched them crouch down or kneel on muddy ground and snow. Stand on things that aren’t meant to stand on. Get soaked from the splashes of a waterfall or an ocean wave. Or sit forever while waiting on a nesting bird to take off. All in hopes of getting a certain result and for the love of our art.

One important thing in portraits is capturing the eyes of a subject. I seem to manage doing that much better with insects or wildlife as in Cats of Africa rather than people.

Statues are the least stressful of all, of course, because there are no expectations to catch them at their best.

“I know that might be stretching things too far,
but I am an extreme introvert, you know!”

Seriously, I do appreciate being challenged. Besides, what fun is life without being pushed out of our comfort zone every now and then.

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All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

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