Taking portrait photographs can be hugely enjoyable. It's a chance to display the best side of another person, and result in a photograph which conveys something unique.
The very first guideline of outstanding portrait photography is to look at your subject.
Although this tends to sound obvious have a look through all of the images you have of friends and family to observe if there is a certain "sameness" related to them. Head and shoulders, drivers licence photos, embarrassed poses, miserable expressions, empty looks, self-conscious smiles...?
Each individual features some distinct characteristic that deserves photographing. It does not need to be gorgeous skin, a redesigned nose, pouting lips, spectacular eyes. There should be some factor or characteristic within the particular person that conveys his or her uniqueness best.
Appear daunting? It's not when you abide by some rudimentary guidelines.
Employ Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to its side. Portraiture almost always consists of the head and upper body and in certain cases the hands. Portraits basically look best when captured vertically. Framing horizontally includes vacant space on both sides of your individual and may spoil the "sense" of the shot.
Strive to Influence The Way in Which the Subject is Clothed.
If this is a semi-formal portrait you might have a say in the clothing. Dark, light or solid colors work best. Patterns, checks, stripes and swirls bring in confusion to the eye of the viewer. Bold colors can overwhelm the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is preferable to a round neck. For a man or older woman, conceal the shoulders, for a young woman leave them exposed.
Attempt to use the available light effectively.
Try to place your subject in a place where there is gentle light coming predominantly from one source. This tends to give you a moody sense and often gets the eyes more attention. You might use a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light in the event the contrast between highlight and shadow is just too harsh. A fairly easy reflector can be created by covering a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil.
Don't Use a Flash Directly at the Subject.
Flash light is light in it's most uninteresting form. Rather rarely it can lift an image into dazzling life, but almost always using available light is more effective. A flash firing takes away any tranquil feeling you might have built up together with your subject and gives the photograph a monotonous look.
Start Using a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Never use a wide angle.)
Encourage Subject to be Seated.
This allows them to settle back so helping you to steer them with less effort. Furnish the subject directions.
Choose the Individual's "best side".
People literally do have one. Arrange one shoulder barely aimed in the direction of camera favoring one side. Try out the pose another way so you can work out which approach is the better.
When working on a portrait photo, you are addressing slight movements and changes of location and perspective. Endeavor to shoot slightly above the subject to make the eyes open more. Perhaps look into dropping the shoulder nearest to the camera, position head upright or at an interesting angle. Lower the chin a fraction.
Some people don't look their best when they smile and some do. Very often you accomplish considerably more interesting nuance and expression without a smile. Tell the subject to think about anything they like doing. It will raise subtle lights in the eyes and adjustments in the mouth lines.
Generally if the hands are in the shot, have a look at them. Hands can look unsightly or clumsy. A fist which is gently closed is generally neutral. Place the hands in the lap or resting on a knee and determine how it appears. Crop them out afterwards if they don't work.
When you are photographing candid portraits almost all the same tips are appropriate although in these kinds of shots you will want to remember to change position to arrive at the most fitting angles.
The very first guideline of outstanding portrait photography is to look at your subject.
Although this tends to sound obvious have a look through all of the images you have of friends and family to observe if there is a certain "sameness" related to them. Head and shoulders, drivers licence photos, embarrassed poses, miserable expressions, empty looks, self-conscious smiles...?
Each individual features some distinct characteristic that deserves photographing. It does not need to be gorgeous skin, a redesigned nose, pouting lips, spectacular eyes. There should be some factor or characteristic within the particular person that conveys his or her uniqueness best.
Appear daunting? It's not when you abide by some rudimentary guidelines.
Employ Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to its side. Portraiture almost always consists of the head and upper body and in certain cases the hands. Portraits basically look best when captured vertically. Framing horizontally includes vacant space on both sides of your individual and may spoil the "sense" of the shot.
Strive to Influence The Way in Which the Subject is Clothed.
If this is a semi-formal portrait you might have a say in the clothing. Dark, light or solid colors work best. Patterns, checks, stripes and swirls bring in confusion to the eye of the viewer. Bold colors can overwhelm the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is preferable to a round neck. For a man or older woman, conceal the shoulders, for a young woman leave them exposed.
Attempt to use the available light effectively.
Try to place your subject in a place where there is gentle light coming predominantly from one source. This tends to give you a moody sense and often gets the eyes more attention. You might use a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light in the event the contrast between highlight and shadow is just too harsh. A fairly easy reflector can be created by covering a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil.
Don't Use a Flash Directly at the Subject.
Flash light is light in it's most uninteresting form. Rather rarely it can lift an image into dazzling life, but almost always using available light is more effective. A flash firing takes away any tranquil feeling you might have built up together with your subject and gives the photograph a monotonous look.
Start Using a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Never use a wide angle.)
Encourage Subject to be Seated.
This allows them to settle back so helping you to steer them with less effort. Furnish the subject directions.
Choose the Individual's "best side".
People literally do have one. Arrange one shoulder barely aimed in the direction of camera favoring one side. Try out the pose another way so you can work out which approach is the better.
When working on a portrait photo, you are addressing slight movements and changes of location and perspective. Endeavor to shoot slightly above the subject to make the eyes open more. Perhaps look into dropping the shoulder nearest to the camera, position head upright or at an interesting angle. Lower the chin a fraction.
Some people don't look their best when they smile and some do. Very often you accomplish considerably more interesting nuance and expression without a smile. Tell the subject to think about anything they like doing. It will raise subtle lights in the eyes and adjustments in the mouth lines.
Generally if the hands are in the shot, have a look at them. Hands can look unsightly or clumsy. A fist which is gently closed is generally neutral. Place the hands in the lap or resting on a knee and determine how it appears. Crop them out afterwards if they don't work.
When you are photographing candid portraits almost all the same tips are appropriate although in these kinds of shots you will want to remember to change position to arrive at the most fitting angles.
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