subject: Tricks For Producing Expert Looking Portrait Photos [print this page] People photography versus portrait photography is what sets a photograph apart from either looking like it was shot by an amateur or having that professional look. When trying to achieve professional quality, or portrait photography, there are many elements that must be considered. Lighting, the angle of the subject, and the expression on their face are all very important. The same knowledge which is used by professionals is crucial in quality photographs, even if it's just of a group of friends or family.
The first step to taking a quality photograph of a person is to study their face. This is very important when determining the angle from which you will shoot. Some people really do have a better side. This could be because of blemishes, or a scar, or simply something about their face that is asymmetrical. One example could be if one of a person's eyes is bigger than the other. This will be noticeable when looking straight into the camera which will result in a horrible portrait, but shooting from an angle can enable the light and shadows to even out the features without taking away from capturing who the person really is.
Portrait photography is about capturing the personality of the subject or their essence. You will want to make sure your subjects are relaxed. If you want to become a professional portrait photographer, you may want to meet with your client before the session so you can learn about them beforehand as well as while you are taking pictures. Be sure to notice the little nuances of their face since those add character to the portrait. If they are friends are family then this is an easy task since you probably already know about their personality, making it easier to capture it on film.
Lighting is another very important element in undertaking the task of shooting professional looking photographs. Natural light is typically preferred over artificial. If artificial lighting is not in a studio, it is often not directed properly and too harsh. Natural light may require manually setting the camera's aperture. This is to compensate for the camera's lack of definition. To achieve the desired effect, contract can be created with shadows and lighting. Since you may not have a choice which type of lighting is available, you may have to rely on the manual settings of your camera to compensate.
The background is another important element in a quality photograph and must work well with the lighting. A professional photographer will pick a background that will not wash out the subject's clothing or their features. There must be contrast or distinction between them and their background. This is even important even when you are shooting photographs at home. Be sure to pick a background that gives color to your subject and definitely not one that takes it away. You will also want to make sure the background is not too busy. A tree to sit on with mountains in the background may be a great portrait, but on the other hand it could take away or distract from the subject. The subject needs to be a part of the picture and not outside of it.
Of course the quality and type of camera and film also determine the quality of your photograph. Once you get to know your subject and use the methods used by professionals such as angles and lighting, you will be able to create a more professional portrait for your family and friends for any occasion. Wouldn't creating a portrait be much better than simply snapping a picture?
Tricks For Producing Expert Looking Portrait Photos
