MAKING PORTRAITS

Backgrounds

• As important as the subject!

• Plain is good, keep it simple

• Watch for things growing out of heads

• Be careful with horizontal lines too (e.g. horizon)

• Think about the colour of the background (contrast with hair/clothes)

• Shooting into the sun can be good

• Use a shallow depth of field to clean up messy backgrounds

Plain backgrounds

Black works too

Camera Modes

• Aperture (Av) Mode is a good place to start

• Large aperture if the background is distracting

• Small aperture (f/8, f/11) if the light is good and you want front to back sharpness

• Manual mode is good if you want complete control

Lenses

• Long lenses are generally more flattering

• 85mm is the ‘standard’ portrait lens

• 70-200 is a good range

• Nifty 50mm can work well too

• Wide angle lenses can work but take care - distortion is a problem.

Lighting

• Soft light, soft shadows - flattering

• Window light - good for soft light

• Open shade - good for soft light

• If there is no shades a diffuser

• Hard light, hard shadows - dramatic

Back Lit Portraits

• Be careful with your metering, spot metering on the subject works well.

• Watch for lens flare - can be good or bad

• Use a reflector or fill flash

Backlit Portraits

Posing

• Use mirroring to show what you want (takes practice)

• Turn the subject a little away from the light

• Weight on the front leg

• Angle shoulders, front shoulder down a little works well.

• Think about hands if 3/4 or full length portrait.

Expression

• Natural is best

• Don’t say smile!

• Talk to the subject, engage them, find something they are interested in.

• Enjoy taking portraits and your subject will too

Links

• http://digital-photography-school.com/portrait-photography-tips/

• https://iso.500px.com/aging-storm-outdoor-portrait-tutorial/

• https://fstoppers.com/education/7-tips-your-camera-manual-never-told-you-about-portrait-photography-45422