Portrait Photos Made Easy
Creating portrait shots is usually quite gratifying. It is an opportunity to show the best side of people, and make a shot that conveys something exceptional.
The very first secret of effective portrait photography is to inspect your subject.
Even though this may appear obvious take a look through all the photos you have of friends and relations to observe if there is a sort of “sameness” regarding them. Chopped off head and shoulder snaps, clumsy posing, goofy expressions, empty gazes, unnatural smiles…?
Everyone has some different feature that should really be photographed. This doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be a $3000 nose job, pouty lips, bedroom eyes or faultless skin. But it needs to be a unique quality that communicates the person’s individuality.
Sound hard? It’s not when you adhere to some fundamental tips.
Make Use of Vertical Composition.
Shift the camera on its side. A portrait picture frequently includes the head and upper body and in certain cases features the hands. Portraits basically look best when shot vertically. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces on both sides of the subject which may detract from the perception of the shot.
Strive to Control The Way your Subject is Clothed.
If this is a semi-formal portrait you may have a say in the clothing. Dark, light or solid colours work best. Stripes, checks, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer’s eye. Strong colors can can overpower the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is preferable to a round neck. For older women or men, cover up the shoulders, for young women leave them exposed.
Try to use the accessible light to your advantage.
Aim to place your subject in a position where there is smooth light coming predominantly from one place. This typically gives a bit more interest to the eyes and results in a “moody” feel. You may use a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light if your contrast between highlight and shadow is simply too strong. You can make a straightforward reflector utilizing aluminium foil on a piece of cardboard.
Do Not Use a Flash Directly Towards Your Subject.
Flash is lighting at its most boring. Rather rarely it may lift a picture into spectacular life, but normally the use of available lighting is more desirable. A flash firing wipes out any peaceful environment you might have developed along with your subject and delivers to the shots a dull look.
Use a Telephoto Zoom Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Just do not use a wide angle.)
Entice the Person to Sit Down.
This helps put them at ease by having somewhere to “be” and helps you in the capacity to direct them more readily. Offer your subject instructions.
Go with Your Subject’s “best side”.
People genuinely do have one. Position one shoulder barely turned towards the camera favoring one side. Test out the pose differently so you can figure out which way is better.
Within a portrait image, you’re addressing minor movements and adjustments of situation and perspective. Try to get the picture from a little bit above the subject to open up the eyes. Perhaps consider bringing down the shoulder nearest to the camera, position head upright or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a tad.
Some people don’t look their best when they smile and some do. You can get more diverting expressions and nuances without a smile. Ask your subject to contemplate something they really like. This tends to raise subtle lights in the eyes and changes in the mouth lines.
Generally if the hands are inside the shot, take a look at them. Hands can sometimes look cumbersome or even ugly. A gently closed fist is commonly neutral. Place the hands in the lap or resting on a knee and observe how it appears. Crop them off later if they don’t look OK.
When you’re shooting candid portraits almost all of the same steps are relevant though in these particular shots it’s important to remember to change position to seek out the most appropriate angles.
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