How to Get the Most Out of Your Portrait Photography
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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.
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. 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 daunting? It isn’t if you follow some basic tips.
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. Flash has the tendency to make the image seem bland and breaks any mood or sense of trust you have created with your subject.
Use a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is usually best.
Wide angle is a big no-no.
Use Vertical Compostion.
Rotate the camera to its 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. 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 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.
Position the person where the light is soft and coming mainly from one direction. This can give a moody feel and usually gets the eyes more attention. 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 actually have one. Have one shoulder slightly turned towards the camera favoring one side. Try that particular pose another way and work out which one is best.
Allow the Person to be Seated.
This helps them to relax and helps you to be 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 a little above the subject to open the eyes 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 don’t look their best when they smile and some do. You can get more interesting expressions and nuances without a 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 you have included the hands in the shot, make sure you check them. Hands can sometimes look awkward or even ugly. A lightly closed fist 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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