Taking portrait photos 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. 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. But it should be some quality that best communicates the person’s individuality.
Sound challenging? 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 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. 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.
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. 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 the available light to 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. 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 that particular pose another way and work out which one 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. Take the chin down a little.
Some people don't look their best when they smile and some do. Often you achieve far more interesting nuance and expression with no 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 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. Place the hands in the lap on resting on a knee and see how it 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.
