Some Portrait Photography Tips
Portraiture 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. Head and shoulders, passport photos, awkward poses, uncomfortable expressions, blank looks, embarrassed smiles…?
Each person has some unique quality that deserves photographing. It doesn’t have to be perfect skin, a remodeled nose, pouting mouth, stunning eyes. There should be some aspect or quality to the person that conveys his or her individuality best.
Sound daunting? It isn't if you follow some basics.
Don’t Use Direct Flash.
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. 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 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. Portraits almost always look best when taken vertically. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces either side of the subject that can detract from the feel of the shot.
Get Your Subject Dressed Up if That's at all Possible.
If this is a semi-formal portrait you can have some say in the 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 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 whatever available light you have to create a 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".
People really do 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 the Person Sit Down.
This helps them to relax and helps you to be able to direct them more easily. Give the person directions.
In a portrait photo, you’re dealing with minor movements and shifts of position and angle. Try to shoot slightly above the person to make the eyes open more. Lower the shoulder closest to the camera, get the head straight or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a little.
Some people don't look their best when they smile and some do. You can get more interesting expressions and nuances without a smile. Tell the person to think of something they like doing. This will highlight the eyes and accentuate 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. Let the hands rest on a knee or in the lap and see what you have. 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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