Portraiture can be very rewarding. It’s a chance to show the best side (literally) of someone, and create a photo that communicates something unique.
The first rule of good portrait photography is LOOK at your subject.
This sounds obvious but take a browse through all the shots you have of your family and friends and see if they don’t have a sameness about them. Cut off head and shoulder shots, uncomfortable posing, goofy expressions, mug shots, empty staring, frozen smiles..?
Each person has some unique quality that deserves photographing. This doesn’t mean it has to be a $2000 nose job, pouty lips, bedroom eyes or perfect skin. But it should be some quality that best communicates the person’s individuality.
Sound difficult? It isn’t if you follow some basic tips.
Do Not Use a Flash Directly at the Subject.
Flash is light at its most boring. On rare occasions it can really lift a shot into dazzling life, but most of the time using available light is better. Flash has the tendency to make the image seem bland and breaks any mood or sense of trust you have created with your subject.
Use a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is best.
Wide angle lenses are definitely out.
Use Vertical Compostion.
Tilt the camera to one side. A protrait photograph generally encompasses the head and upper body and sometimes includes the hands. These work best in a vertical format. Framing horizontally wastes space on each side of your subject and can ruin the “feel” of the image.
Dress Your Subject Up if Possible.
If this is to be almost a formal portrait photo you may be able to suggest what clothes. Dark or light, solid colors work best. Stripes, checks, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer’s eye. Bold colors can overwhelm the skin tones. A scoop or vee cut is usually better than a round cut. For a man or older woman, cover the shoulders, for a young woman leave them bare.
Try to use whatever available light you have to create a good effect.
Try to place your subject in a postion where there is soft light coming mainly from one direction. This can give a moody feel and usually gets the eyes more attention. You can use a reflector on the shadowed side to ‘bounce the light’ if the contrast between highlight and shadow is too strong. You can make a simple reflector using aluminum foil on a sheet of cardboard.
Pick the Person’s ‘best side’.
People actually have one. Have one shoulder slightly turned towards the camera favoring one side. Try the pose the other way and figure out which is best.
Let Your Subject be Seated.
This helps them to relax and helps you to be able to direct them more easily. Give your subject directions.
In a portrait photo, you’re dealing with minor movements and shifts of position and angle. Try to get the shot from slightly above the subject to open up the eyes. Lower the shoulder closest to the camera, get the head straight or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a little.
Some people look best when they smile and some don’t. Often you achieve far more interesting nuance and expression with no smile. Ask your subject to think about something they like. This will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and shifts in the mouth lines.
If you have included the hands in the shot, make sure you check them. Hands can sometimes look awkward or even ugly. A fist that is lightly closed is usually neutral. Position the hands either in the lap on on a knee and check how the shot looks. Cut them off later if they don’t work.
If you’re shooting candid portraits the same tips apply but in these shots you have to move around to get the best angle.
Tags: creative portrait photography, portrait photography tips, portrait photos