Photography Tutorial - Six Quick Digital Portrait Tips

Portraits have had an enduring appeal for centuries

. A portrait may seem very simple and yet it is capable of infinite variety and results.

A well taken portrait can be moving and evocative, thought-provoking or amusing and it is something that can be enjoyable for both the photographer and the sitter alike.

The fact is, we all find other people fascinating and so the portrait will always be an important feature in photography.

As a result, there are literally thousands of web sites and books that explain various portrait techniques. However, most of the advice boils down to a few simple do's and don'ts covering pose, composition and lighting.

These six tips will cover the essential basics:

Portrait Tips:

... A lot of people are camera shy and don't like their photograph taken. As a result they tend to sit in rigid, unnatural poses and you can see the fear in their eyes. To help your subject to feel comfortable, remember that not all portraits need to be formal or even posed. Why not take photographs of your loved ones as they go about their daily lives. Not only will the results be more natural, but it will put them in the context of their lives and interests.

... Don't aim for perfection. Don't forget that you are shooting digitally. Any blemishes and background clutter can be edited and removed later.

... With portraits, the golden rule is to focus on the eyes. If the eyes aren't in the centre of your frame, the camera may focus on the nose ruining the photo. So always focus on the eyes and remember to always use the right focal-length lens.

... Holiday snaps of your family don't need to be embarrassing hideous shots which will never see the light of day. Remember the basic rules of:

Lighting - daylight or off camera flash is best

Composition - try to avoid clumsy and unnatural looking poses

And posing - make sure that your sitter is comfortable with how they are posed. Nothing ruins a portrait like a subject looking uncomfortable and uneasy.

... Remember that natural, diffused daylight is the most flattering illumination for portraits.

... Use reflectors to lift dark shadows when shooting with a single light source.

Whether you are taking serious portraits or simply snapping friends and family, these tips will make sure that whoever you shoot will be delighted with the results and you will have images that you will be proud of too.

Photography Tutorial - Six Quick Digital Portrait Tips

By: Dan Feildman

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