Tutorials
How To Take a Great Portrait
Taking portraits is a very popular way to use a camera. However, everyone can be sensitive about having themeslves photographed. As with the whole of photography; it is our job as photographers to get the best result we can and hopefully this tutorial will help with that. Every subject is different (be it face shape, skin colour, hair colour, etc).
Portrait photography has both easier and harder qualities than shooting landscapes or buildings. Being able to control your subject can be helpful, but you need to have internal confidence in your skills to be able to successfully lead a subject. Not everyone is born Heidi Klum and asking your subject to pose will most likely make them clamp up and look unnatural.
Make the time to drink a cup of tea (a coffee from Starbucks works also), get to know your subject and explain the process of how you work. Learn their personality, gain some trust and create a friendly and relaxed environment. Another good idea is to have your portfolio with you as you can show them if they have not already seen your work. They will be far more relaxed knowing you have the skill to take a great photo of them.
Pose
If you chose to direct the subject to look at you; eye contact with the camera can really help and bring out a lot of emotion, as well as reveal a lot of personality. Do not forget to fill your frame with this shot.
If you are taking a shot from a profile angle; do not forget to have leading space between the subject and the edge of the frame. Using the Rule of Thirds here will get you a very natural feeling shot.
Props are a handy addition to any shoot. Not only do they help ease up a subject, they can help create a more unique and interesting photo. Beware the overuse of props though, as sometimes they can detract from the main subject; your model.
Eyes
One of the biggest details to pay attention to in Portrait Photography is the eyes. They are, as cliché as it is, the window to the soul and where most people find themselves being drawn to in most photos.
A lot of newbie photographers will allow the most focus on the nose area and let the depth of field fall from that point; whereas you are likely to get a far better result if you allow the eyes to be the most in-focus point. Also, I always try to add selective vibrance and exposure over each of the eyes to help bring out the pupils interesting colour and patterns.
Having slightly wider pupils than usual is also a preference as it is a sign of attraction. As most Poker players know; when we see something we like, our pupils dilate.
Background
When taking a portrait, the background is extremely important. Having an active background can help say a lot about your subject; outside on the street – they lead busy lives, in a kitchen – they are in the catering industry.
Sometimes for promotional shots or where the background will be composited in, it is best to use a solid backdrop. For this; I recommend a neutral grey so that you do not lose any highlights or shadows and can easily remove the background.
Personality
When photographing someone; one of the most important points to remember is; Carpe Minutam (Seize the Minute). Your photograph should not only accurately portray what the subject looks like, but also convey some emotion. The viewer should feel like they know the person, or know what the person is thinking, because of the photo.
Post-processing
The camera is not very forgiving. It will pick up any dirty or blemishes the subject has on their skin. Using the healing tool, stamp tool and a slight touch of skin smoothing here can really help rectify that. I have not met a subject yet who has come back asking “Can you please go back and add that blackhead I had on the tip of my nose?”
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