Simple Portrait Photography Tips

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6 June 2009

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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…?

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 difficult? 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. 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.

Never use a wide angle.

Compose Vertically.

Tilt the camera to one side. A protrait photograph generally encompasses the head and upper body and sometimes includes the hands. These work best in a vertical format. Framing horizontally wastes space on each side of your subject and can ruin the “feel” of the image.

Dress Your Subject Up if 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 scoop or vee cut is usually better than a round cut. 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.

Choose Your Subject’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. Direct the person.

In a portrait photo, you’re dealing with minor movements and shifts of position and angle. Try to get the shot from slightly above the subject to open up the eyes. Lower the shoulder closest to the camera, get the head straight or at an engaging angle. Drop the chin a fraction.

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 look ugly or awkward. A lightly closed fist is usually neutral. Let the hands rest on a knee or in the lap and see what you have. 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.