Capturing Emotion in Masked-Up Photography: Tips for Shooting People Wearing Masks

 

The face mask has become one of the most ubiquitous objects of 2020. We all know how important it is for us to wear masks in public settings to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but how does this affect portraiture and photography? Shooting people wearing masks can be a daunting task, especially when trying to capture a feeling or emotion from behind the mask.

The truth is that even with a mask obscuring part of their face, people can still show emotion in photos. It’s a matter of understanding that emotion can be conveyed without actually seeing someone’s mouth or eyes. If you’re up for the challenge, then this article is for you! Here we will explore some tips and techniques to help you capture emotion in masked-up photography.

Composition Is Key for Capturing Emotion

When shooting people wearing masks, one of the most important tips to keep in mind is that composition is key! When you want to capture emotion in your images, it’s important to make sure you pay close attention to the framing of your shot. Compose your image carefully, Masked-up photography: Capturing images of people wearing masks in various situations photography: Capturing images of people wearing masks in various situations attention to the background and foreground elements as well as the facial expressions and body language of your subject.

Look for movement and candidness; have your subject move around and be natural for a more real, less posed feeling. Get close-up shots for a more intimate look at their face or step back for wider shots with more context. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles, like shooting from low or high vantage points. Focus on capturing subtle details that convey emotion—like crinkles around the eyes as they smile beneath their mask or pulling a mask down below the chin but still keeping it on while speaking—to really get a feeling of who they are in that moment.

Focus on the Eyes to Show Expression

In this masked-up world, there’s still a way to capture emotion in your images: focus on the eyes. Even when people are wearing masks, their eyes are still visible—so use them to create an emotional connection between your subjects and your viewers.

There are several ways you can do this. When shooting portraits with masks, be sure to get close enough to fill the frame with just the eyes – no mask. This will create a more intimate look and feel since the viewers will only be able to focus on those emotive eyes.

You can also experiment with lighting for different effects. Side lighting can be used to bring out a dramatic feel, while backlighting gives off a mysterious vibe that’s perfect for moody shots. Directly lighting your subject from behind will help them stand out from their background in hauntingly beautiful ways.

Whether you’re looking for a dramatic or intimate feeling in your masked-up photos, always remember that the eyes say it all – so use them to capture emotion even in these masked-up times.

Use Props to Add Context

In order to capture emotion in masked-up photography, it helps to add context with props. These props can hint at something about the person you're photographing—maybe they love sports or gardening, or enjoy a particular hobby.

By using props, you can further explore a person's story. Plus, props help create depth and dimension in your shot that lighting and angles alone can't — so use them to tell more of the story in the frame.

Here are a few tips for using props when photographing people wearing masks:

Choose props that are relatively small and unobtrusive. This way they don’t draw all the attention away from your subject.

Keep the focus on your subject by placing props in an interesting location, like an unexpected angle or near one of their hands, as these locations still draw attention to them but also add context to the image.

Don’t forget to consider how adding and removing certain items will affect the composition of your photo — focus on balance so certain elements don’t overpower others in the frame.

Get Up Close for Emotive Detail Shots

If you want to capture emotion in your masked-up photography, it pays to get up close and personal. While wide shots are great for giving viewers a sense of the context of the environment, zooming in on the details will help your audience really feel the emotions of your subjects.

Headshots are an easy way to create stunning portraits that get up close and personal with people wearing masks. Play with a variety of angles and expressions—these small changes can have a huge impact on how viewers relate to your photographs. Additionally, adding captions or text to your photos can give further insight into what the subject is feeling or thinking, enhancing the viewer’s experience.

Other detail shots that can capture emotion include:

Hands: hands doing activities while wearing masks or touching/holding something can be powerful shots, as they often convey feelings like frustration, boredom, or contentment all on their own.

Accessories: accessories often carry personal significance and draw attention to certain elements that may tell a story about their context (i.e., bringing attention to what is going on around them).

Locations: environment shots that show people wearing masks can also create powerful images; try shooting these from slightly different perspectives―a low angle looking up at the person's face with mask on is likely to invoke strong emotions from viewers.

Whether you’re using headshots or detail shots, getting up close for masked-up photography will help you capture genuine emotions from your subjects and communicate them effectively through imagery.

Shoot Candidly to Capture Natural Moments

When shooting masked-up photography, the trick to getting great shots is to capture natural moments. This means not relying on posed or overly-directed shots, but instead trusting your subject to act naturally and capture the emotion in their posture and expression.

Here are some tips for capturing candid shots:

Get Close

Getting close enough to your subject that they can feel they’re being seen can help create more intimate moments. Closeness builds trust, meaning your subject is more likely to open up and you can capture genuine emotion in the shot.

Observe

Take a few moments to observe your subject before asking them any questions or instructions. Get a sense of who they are and what they’re feeling by reading the subtle cues of their body language.

Let Go of Perfectionism

Rather than chasing perfection in every shot, let go of striving for absolute perfection and embrace imperfection. Allow yourself permission to mess up and shoot fast. Embrace these candid moments that won’t last forever, as these often result in unexpected surprises for photographers.

Post-Processing Techniques to Enhance Emotion

When it comes to capturing emotion in masked-up photography, post-processing techniques can be incredibly helpful. Here are a few tips and tricks you might want to consider:

Color Grade: Using tools like HSL and curves, you can add warmth and tone to your image that will evoke emotion.

Sharpen: Adding sharpness will draw more attention to the details of the face and bring focus to the eyes, which is key for portraying feelings in a photograph.

Add a vignette: Creating an off-center black border or darkening corners with a vignette will subtly draw attention to your subject, who will often be the one with their mask on.

Convert to black & white: Removing color from an image can often highlight facial features, making them stand out more—which is especially important when shooting people in masks!

Add a glow/light flare: Adding some light flare or glow effect around the edges of your subject can help emphasize expression and emotion in photos of people wearing masks.

Conclusion

When it comes to shooting masked-up photography, the key is to focus on the emotion of the scene. Look at the body language of the subjects, their expressions, and the environment. Capture the moments and emotions of people wearing masks in a respectful way that honors their safety and their stories.

When it comes to posting these images online, be conscious of privacy and respect. Do not post images that could be used to identify someone or invade their privacy.

Masked-up photography is not easy, but with the right tips and techniques, you can capture meaningful images that tell stories, challenge stereotypes, and raise awareness about the importance of wearings masks.