May

31

Portrait Photography Tips – Get The Most Out Of Your Portraits

May 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Taking portrait photos can be very rewarding. It is an opportunity to display someone’s best side (literally), to create an image that says something.

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..?

Everyone has some individual feature that should be photographed. This doesn’t mean it has to be a $2000 nose job, pouty lips, bedroom eyes or perfect skin. There should be some aspect or quality to the person that conveys his or her individuality best.

Sound challenging? It isn’t if you follow some basic tips.

Don’t Use Direct Flash.

Flash light is light in it’s most boring incarnation. Very rarely it can really raise an image into stunning life, but usually the use of available light is superior. A flash firing removes any relaxed atmosphere you may have built up with your subject and gives the shot a bland look.

Use a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is usually best.

Wide angle is a big no-no.

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. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces either side of the subject that can detract from the feel of the shot.

Dress Your Subject Up if Possible.

If this is to be almost a formal portrait photo you may be able to suggest what clothes. Solid, dark or light colors work best. Patterns, checks, stripes and swirls add 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 a man or older woman, cover the shoulders, for a young woman leave them bare.

Try to use the available light to good effect.

Position the person where the light is soft and coming mainly from one direction. This usually gives more attention to the eyes and creates a moody feel. You can use a reflector on the shadowed side to ‘bounce the light’ if the contrast between highlight and shadow is too strong. A simple reflector can be made by covering a sheet of cardboard with aluminum foil.

Choose Your Subject’s “best side”.

Everyone really does have one. Have one shoulder slightly turned towards the camera favoring one side. Test the pose another way and try to figure out which way is the best.

Allow the Person to be Seated.

This helps put them at ease by haviing somewhere to “be” and assists you in being able to direct them more easily. Direct your subject.

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. Drop the chin a fraction.

Some people don’t look their best when they smile and some do. 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 the hands are in the shot, take a good look at them. Hands can sometimes look awkward or even ugly. A fist that is lightly closed is usually neutral. Place the hands in the lap on resting on a knee and see how it looks. Crop them out 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.


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