(Entries close February 20, 2010)

Taking the perfect portrait
In this, the fifth part of our photography competition, we’re looking for talented amateur photographers who can truly capture the spirit and beauty of Caribbean residents in a portrait.

Risée Chaderton’s top tips for portrait photography

1 Understand your subject and put them at ease
Before you even pick up your camera, make sure you know your subject. Whether you’re taking a picture of the family dog or a head of state, it’s really important to find out what makes them tick. This will help you know what kind of conversation or banter might be appropriate so that your subject will relax with you. I usually use a little humour and chatter to get them to laugh, which then gets more of their personality across. Don’t be afraid to be silly with your subjects. You can be a total idiot as long as your pictures come out great. You’re trying to encourage your subject to forget they’re having their photo taken, and if at the same time you can get your subject to relate to you, then whoever looks at the photograph will be able to relate to the person in the photo.

2 Use natural light whenever possible
It’s not necessary to use a lot of fancy equipment or lighting. I think natural light is often the most effective lighting for portraits and I use it whenever possible. If it’s a bright, sunny day, ask your subject to stand in the shade and get indirect light on them. The best time to take photos using natural light is early morning or late afternoon. Any time after 10am and before 2pm is not great, but if that’s the only time you can do, move indoors and use light coming in from a window - just make sure that the window itself is out of your frame. The photograph of the young lady on the grey background was actually taken in a building under construction, but there’s a window on her right side which provided the main source of light. Learn to manipulate the light available whenever possible.

3 Don’t stress about the background
Your background can be anything that isn’t too busy or distracting as long as your subject is comfortable. I occasionally use little props in the background that might relate to the person that you’re photographing and that can help to tell their story. It’s more important to concentrate on your subject and find something that makes them feel special. The lady with the silver hair laughing is actually a 1964 carnival queen, Marvo Manning, who is rarely, if ever, seen with her hair out – it’s always in a bun. For that shoot we wanted to see a different side to her and so we asked her literally to let her hair down. Doing things like this can make people feel beautiful, and then you will get a beautiful shot.

4 Get the right crop
For portraits crop in from the collar bone to the top of the head – don’t leave too much excess space or stick a person in the centre of your field of image or they will look like a dot in the middle. Try to crop just below the collar bone and at the top of the head. Finally, remember to think of all ‘rules of photography’, as guidelines. It’s important to know the rules so that when you break them (and I encourage you to break them) you know why. We grow by pushing the boundaries – it is the only way to nurture your creativity.

The prize

The winner of each category will win a luxurious weekend getaway for two persons, including flights courtesy of
LIAT, plus there will be an exciting prize for the overall winner of the 2009 entries.

Photo competition rules

• The contest is only open to amateur photographers (being anyone who earns less than 10% of their income from photography).
• Employees of LIAT, Travel Africa Ltd, Zest Publishing Inc or any of the promoters are not eligible to enter.
• All photos must have been taken in the Caribbean.
• Submit ONLY digital images, all of which must be clearly labelled with photographer’s name and contact details.
• You may only submit a maximum of 10 images per person and these must be emailed with ‘Portrait Competition Entries’ in the subject line – we cannot accept links to folders – and should be a maximum file size of 250Kb.
• Entries to this category must be submitted before February 20, 2010.
• All entries will be judged on content and quality, and the judges’ decision will be final.
• By submitting entries, you agree that Travel Africa Ltd / Zest Publishing Inc has the right to publish your photos in any medium without compensation.

How to submit your photos:

By email:
• Save each photograph out to a maximum of 200KB and attach to an email to be sent to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• State "Photo Competition: Portraits" in the Subject Line
• Make sure your name, address, email address and phone number are included in the message.

By post:
• Post entries to P O Box 1329, General Post Office, Cheapside, Bridgetown, St Michael, Barbados
• Ensure envelopes are clearly labelled "Photo Competition: Portraits"
• Ensure EACH disc or print is clearly labelled with your full name, address and contact email and phone number
• Entries will not be returned unless specifically requested and only if a stamped, self-addressed envelope is included for the return posting. 

By courier:
If sending by courier, and will require a signature on receipt, please send to:
• Zest Publishing, 4 Rycote Lane Farm, Milton Common, Oxford OX9 2NZ, telephone +44 (0)1844 278883