Portrait Photography Basics

Posted on | May 28, 2009 | No Comments

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.

Although this may sound obvious take a look through all the photos you have of friends and family to see if there is a certain “sameness” about them. Head and shoulders, passport photos, awkward poses, uncomfortable expressions, blank looks, embarrassed 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 basics.

Do Not Use a Flash Directly at the Subject.

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 best.

Wide angle is a big no-no.

Use Vertical Compostion.

Rotate the camera to its 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 a semi-formal portrait you can have some say in the 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 scoop or vee cut is usually better than a round cut. 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.

Pick the Person’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 Your Subject be Seated.

This helps put them at ease by haviing somewhere to “be” and assists you in being 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 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 bring up subtle lights in the eyes and shifts in the mouth lines.

If you have included the hands in the shot, make sure you check 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. Cut them off 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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photography

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