The reason that so many portraits lack impact is that nothing seems to be happening. The person is just standing there, staring at your digital camera. Often they look bored. Sometimes they even look scared. The ’startled rabbit syndrome’ is often much in evidence. Rarely does the person actually look as if they’re having a good time.
Standard thinking about camera lenses when it comes to taking pictures of people is that you want a short telephoto for studies of individuals and wide-angles for groups and environmental portraits. And while there’s a lot to be said for this tried and tested approach, it’s hardly a recipe for creating exciting images. On a digital compact with a zoom using the middle of the range will produce full-body and head-and-shoulders compositions with natural perspective. With a digital SLR camera, bear in mind that all but the most expensive models have a digital magnification factor of 1.6x, so a 28-80mm zoom becomes an effective 45-128mm, which is ideal for pleasing, flattering pictures of people. But unless they’re particularly photogenic – or the situation is interesting in some other way – the results can often be rather bland.
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.
Since there are numerous types of digital cameras, it is really important to define for what purpose you are going to use it. Do you need to buy it in order to start your own photography business or do you simply want to buy a new gadget just to replace the old one? So, before you even decide to buy one, think of the features your camera should have, think of the brand and most important consider the price.
