Portrait Photography Basics
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..?
Everyone has some individual feature that should be photographed. It doesn’t have to be perfect skin, a remodeled nose, pouting mouth, stunning eyes. But it should be some quality that best communicates the person’s individuality.
Sound difficult? 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.
Compose Vertically.
Tilt the camera to one side. A portrait usually includes the head and upper torso and sometimes 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 to be almost a formal portrait photo you may be able to suggest what clothes. Solid, dark or light colors work best. Stripes, checks, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer’s eye. Strong colors can can overwhelm the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is better than a round neck. For older women or men, cover up the shoulders, for young women leave them exposed.
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 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. You can make a simple reflector using aluminum foil on a sheet of cardboard.
Pick the Person’s ‘best side’.
People actually have one. Get one shoulder turned towards the camera so one side is favored a little. 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 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. Take the chin down a little.
Some people look better when they smile but some do not. 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. Position the hands either in the lap on on a knee and check how the shot 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.
