Portraiture can be quite gratifying. It is really an chance to reveal a person's best side (literally), to produce an image that states something.
The very first action of effective portrait photography is to examine your subject.
Although this might seem obvious take a look through all of the photos you have of friends and family to check if there is a particular "sameness" in them. Head and shoulders, drivers licence photos, embarrassed postures, uncomfortable expressions, empty looks, embarrassed smiles...?
Absolutely everyone has some unique aspect that should certainly be photographed. It does not have to be perfect skin, a refurbished nose, pouting mouth, breathtaking eyes. There must be some feature or characteristic to the particular person which conveys their own individuality best.
Sound challenging? It's not so long as you you follow some fundamental principles.
Take advantage of Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to one side. A portrait generally includes the head and upper torso and occasionally the hands. These are preferable in a vertical format. Framing horizontally includes vacant space on either side of your individual and can easily ruin the "feel" of the shot.
Make an effort to Oversee How the Subject is Clothed.
If this is to be a practically formal portrait shot you can probably suggest what clothes are to be used. Dark, light or solid colours work best. Stripes, checks, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer's eye. Bold colors can overpower the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is preferable to a round neck. For older women or men, conceal the shoulders, for young women leave them uncovered.
Use whatever available light you have to produce a good outcome.
Locate the subject where the light is gentle and coming predominantly from one source. This almost always gives even more focus to the eyes and produces a "moody" feel. You might use a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light in case the contrast between shadow and highlight is just too heavy. An easy reflector can be made by covering a piece of cardboard with aluminium foil.
You Should Not Use Direct Camera Flash.
Flash is light at its most unexciting. On rare occasions it can genuinely lift a photo into dazzling life, but generally utilizing available light is more effective. A flash going off takes away any calm setting you may have built up together with your subject and supplies to the picture a bland look.
Start Using a Telephoto Zoom Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Do not ever use a wide angle.)
Encourage Person to be Seated.
This allows them to relax helping you to lead them with less effort. Direct the subject.
Select the Individual's "best side".
Everyone literally does have one. Get one shoulder slightly turned towards the camera favoring one side. Look at the position the other way and decide on which is better.
With a portrait photo, you're addressing minor movements and alterations of placement and perspective. Attempt to achieve the shot from just a little higher than the subject open up the eyes a bit more. Possibly look at dropping the shoulder nearest to the camera, get the head straight or at an appealing angle. Position the chin down a little bit.
Some people appear best whenever they smile and a few do not. You can get yourself more intriguing expressions and subtleties without a smile. Ask your subject to consider something they enjoy. This can highlight the eyes and accentuate the mouth lines.
Generally if the hands are within the shot, have a look at them. Hands can look unpleasant or cumbersome. A fist that is lightly closed is normally fairly neutral. Let the hands rest on the knee or in the lap and see what you have. Cut them off later if they don't look OK.
If you find yourself photographing candid portraits most of the same techniques are important although in these particular shots you might want to remember to move around to arrive at the preferred angles.
The very first action of effective portrait photography is to examine your subject.
Although this might seem obvious take a look through all of the photos you have of friends and family to check if there is a particular "sameness" in them. Head and shoulders, drivers licence photos, embarrassed postures, uncomfortable expressions, empty looks, embarrassed smiles...?
Absolutely everyone has some unique aspect that should certainly be photographed. It does not have to be perfect skin, a refurbished nose, pouting mouth, breathtaking eyes. There must be some feature or characteristic to the particular person which conveys their own individuality best.
Sound challenging? It's not so long as you you follow some fundamental principles.
Take advantage of Top to Bottom Composition.
Turn the camera to one side. A portrait generally includes the head and upper torso and occasionally the hands. These are preferable in a vertical format. Framing horizontally includes vacant space on either side of your individual and can easily ruin the "feel" of the shot.
Make an effort to Oversee How the Subject is Clothed.
If this is to be a practically formal portrait shot you can probably suggest what clothes are to be used. Dark, light or solid colours work best. Stripes, checks, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer's eye. Bold colors can overpower the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is preferable to a round neck. For older women or men, conceal the shoulders, for young women leave them uncovered.
Use whatever available light you have to produce a good outcome.
Locate the subject where the light is gentle and coming predominantly from one source. This almost always gives even more focus to the eyes and produces a "moody" feel. You might use a reflector from the other direction to bounce the light in case the contrast between shadow and highlight is just too heavy. An easy reflector can be made by covering a piece of cardboard with aluminium foil.
You Should Not Use Direct Camera Flash.
Flash is light at its most unexciting. On rare occasions it can genuinely lift a photo into dazzling life, but generally utilizing available light is more effective. A flash going off takes away any calm setting you may have built up together with your subject and supplies to the picture a bland look.
Start Using a Telephoto Zoom Lens. 105-135mm is best. (Do not ever use a wide angle.)
Encourage Person to be Seated.
This allows them to relax helping you to lead them with less effort. Direct the subject.
Select the Individual's "best side".
Everyone literally does have one. Get one shoulder slightly turned towards the camera favoring one side. Look at the position the other way and decide on which is better.
With a portrait photo, you're addressing minor movements and alterations of placement and perspective. Attempt to achieve the shot from just a little higher than the subject open up the eyes a bit more. Possibly look at dropping the shoulder nearest to the camera, get the head straight or at an appealing angle. Position the chin down a little bit.
Some people appear best whenever they smile and a few do not. You can get yourself more intriguing expressions and subtleties without a smile. Ask your subject to consider something they enjoy. This can highlight the eyes and accentuate the mouth lines.
Generally if the hands are within the shot, have a look at them. Hands can look unpleasant or cumbersome. A fist that is lightly closed is normally fairly neutral. Let the hands rest on the knee or in the lap and see what you have. Cut them off later if they don't look OK.
If you find yourself photographing candid portraits most of the same techniques are important although in these particular shots you might want to remember to move around to arrive at the preferred angles.
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