Basic Tips for Shooting a Perfect Portrait

When it comes to portraits, keeping it simple often leads to the most natural results. The difference is in the detail. It’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, and that’s definitely true with portrait digital photography. The slightest change in an expression can change the emotional impact of a picture totally, so it’s important that you keep shooting even when you think you’ve got the shot in the bag. Make sure you’re talking to the portrait sitter constantly, encouraging them and giving them feedback. Take your eye away from the viewfinder too, occasionally, as a little eye contact goes a long way to making the subject relaxed. You’ll need to literally call the shots – unless you’re dealing with a professional model, you’ll have to suggest poses and refine them where necessary.

Make sure you pay attention to background details as well. It’s all too easy to miss trees, telephone wires and other distractions appearing to sprout from your subject’s head. Think about the colour and texture of the environment – will it provide a fantastic contrast or just make your subject look awkwardly out of place?

Breaking the rules can lead to arresting images, so take time to try unusual compositions and extreme choices of lens focal length towards the end of a shoot.

Tagged with: Background Details • Compositions • digital camera • Digital Photography • Expression • Eye Contact • Lens Focal Length • Portrait Photography • Portraits • Viewfinder

Filed under: Photography Tips

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!

Possibly related posts