Portrait photography can be quite enjoyable. It is really an chance to showcase another person's best side (literally), to create an image that says something.
The first law of really good portrait photography is to pay attention to your subject.
This looks glaring but take a browse through all the pictures you may have of your family and friends and see if they don't have a kind of similarity to them all. Uncomfortable poses, uneasy expressions, blank looks, self-conscious smiles, head and shoulders, passport photos...?
Every person provides some special characteristic which deserves photographing. This does not necessarily mean it has to be a $3000 nose reconstruction, pouty lips, come hither eyes or faultless skin. There should be some aspect or characteristic within the person that speaks of her / his individuality the best.
Sound challenging? It's not when you adhere to some fundamental tips.
Use Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to one side. A portrait as a rule includes the head and upper torso and on occasion the hands. These are best in a vertical format. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces either side of the person which will take away from the sense of the shot.
Strive to Influence The Way in Which the Subject is Clothed.
If it is to be a virtually formal portrait shot you may be able to recommend what clothes are to be used. Solid, dark or light colorings performs 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 better than a round neck. For older women or men, hide the shoulders, for young women leave them uncovered.
Use whatever available light you have to build a good result.
Attempt to place your subject in a position where there is smooth light coming largely from one direction. This normally gives even more focus to the eyes and translates into a "moody" atmosphere. You should a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light if your contrast between highlight and shadow is just too heavy. You could make a basic reflector using aluminum foil on a piece of cardboard.
Never Use Direct Flash.
Flash is light at its most dreary. Quite rarely it may boost a shot into stunning life, but in most cases using available light is more effective. A flash going off removes any enjoyable environment you might have built up with your subject and supplies to the picture a dull look.
Make Use of a Telephoto Zoom Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Wide angle lenses are unquestionably unsuitable.)
Let Your Subject be Seated.
This helps place them at ease by having somewhere to "be" and assists you in being able to direct them more readily. Lead your subject.
Select Your Subject's "best side".
People definitely do have one. Pose one shoulder slightly aimed in the direction of camera favoring one side. Test the pose the other way and decide which is best.
Within a portrait picture, you are addressing small movements and adjustments of placement and viewpoint. Try to achieve the shot from slightly higher than the subject widen the eyes a bit more. Perhaps look at bringing down the shoulder closest to the camera, position head upright or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a fraction.
Some people look better when they smile but some do not. You may get more intriguing expressions and nuances without a smile. Tell the person to think about anything they like doing. It will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and changes in the mouth lines.
When you have included the hands in the shot, always look at them. Hands can now and again look cumbersome or even unappealing. A gently closed fist is usually fairly neutral. Position the hands in the lap or resting on a knee and see how it looks. Crop them out later if they don't work.
When you're photographing candid portraits most of the same points are appropriate although in those shots you need to remember to change position to get hold of the perfect angles.
The first law of really good portrait photography is to pay attention to your subject.
This looks glaring but take a browse through all the pictures you may have of your family and friends and see if they don't have a kind of similarity to them all. Uncomfortable poses, uneasy expressions, blank looks, self-conscious smiles, head and shoulders, passport photos...?
Every person provides some special characteristic which deserves photographing. This does not necessarily mean it has to be a $3000 nose reconstruction, pouty lips, come hither eyes or faultless skin. There should be some aspect or characteristic within the person that speaks of her / his individuality the best.
Sound challenging? It's not when you adhere to some fundamental tips.
Use Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to one side. A portrait as a rule includes the head and upper torso and on occasion the hands. These are best in a vertical format. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces either side of the person which will take away from the sense of the shot.
Strive to Influence The Way in Which the Subject is Clothed.
If it is to be a virtually formal portrait shot you may be able to recommend what clothes are to be used. Solid, dark or light colorings performs 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 better than a round neck. For older women or men, hide the shoulders, for young women leave them uncovered.
Use whatever available light you have to build a good result.
Attempt to place your subject in a position where there is smooth light coming largely from one direction. This normally gives even more focus to the eyes and translates into a "moody" atmosphere. You should a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light if your contrast between highlight and shadow is just too heavy. You could make a basic reflector using aluminum foil on a piece of cardboard.
Never Use Direct Flash.
Flash is light at its most dreary. Quite rarely it may boost a shot into stunning life, but in most cases using available light is more effective. A flash going off removes any enjoyable environment you might have built up with your subject and supplies to the picture a dull look.
Make Use of a Telephoto Zoom Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Wide angle lenses are unquestionably unsuitable.)
Let Your Subject be Seated.
This helps place them at ease by having somewhere to "be" and assists you in being able to direct them more readily. Lead your subject.
Select Your Subject's "best side".
People definitely do have one. Pose one shoulder slightly aimed in the direction of camera favoring one side. Test the pose the other way and decide which is best.
Within a portrait picture, you are addressing small movements and adjustments of placement and viewpoint. Try to achieve the shot from slightly higher than the subject widen the eyes a bit more. Perhaps look at bringing down the shoulder closest to the camera, position head upright or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a fraction.
Some people look better when they smile but some do not. You may get more intriguing expressions and nuances without a smile. Tell the person to think about anything they like doing. It will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and changes in the mouth lines.
When you have included the hands in the shot, always look at them. Hands can now and again look cumbersome or even unappealing. A gently closed fist is usually fairly neutral. Position the hands in the lap or resting on a knee and see how it looks. Crop them out later if they don't work.
When you're photographing candid portraits most of the same points are appropriate although in those shots you need to remember to change position to get hold of the perfect angles.
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