Just like practicing your golf swing, there’s nothing wrong with taking your time to become an expert in portrait photography. After all, you want it to be just right.
With that, check on the following portrait photography tips that you should master:
Connect with your precious subject.
Your subject shouldn’t just be an object in your portrait photography. You should connect with them and show them that they are more than just a face to photography. One of the secrets to talented portrait photography is that you really connect with your subject on a deeper level. When you’re able to “feel” their personality, it’s natural to let your lens see it too. It’s as if you’re communicating and collaborating on every shot.
Master the art of lighting.
One of the best ways to improve your portrait photography is to master the art of lighting. It plays a huge role in any portrait photography, whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, so experiment to find the lighting that works for you. Lighting is fundamental for portraits, and knowing what light to use, when to use it, and how to use it successfully, will help provide dramatic, artistic results.
Pay attention to the dynamics of your camera.
One of the portrait photography tips that many new photographers fail to realize is that the camera settings need to be adjusted depending on the person being photographed. For example, if the person is standing, a camera using a portrait lens with an aperture of f/1.4 will produce a blurry background.
The subject’s eyes are the central feature of any portrait.
The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but the eyes are also the windows to a photo. In portrait photography, you want the eyes of your subject to stand out and draw the viewer in. While a good camera will make a great portrait, excellent lighting will bring out the best in your model’s eyes. The subject’s eyes are the central feature of any portrait. As such, they should draw the eye of the beholder. A great portrait will draw the observer into the subject’s eyes.
Get down on your subject’s level.
It’s not enough to simply aim to shoot up, down, or to the side of your subjects—you’ve got to get down on their level, too. But don’t just move the camera up or down; adjust the position of your body, too. Get on your belly, or sit or lie down on the ground so the camera is pointed up at the subject. Doing so will not only create a natural, flattering angle but will get your viewers’ eyes up and into the shot.
Focus on your camera settings’ white balance.
The white balance (WB) setting on your camera controls how the camera interprets the light in the scene. A common mistake that beginners make is setting their camera to the wrong white balance setting. This will result in your shot looking washed out, dark, or unnatural. When shooting portraits, the WB setting you choose can have a dramatic impact on the final image. You can opt to adjust the WB manually, but using automated or preset settings can help make the overall process quicker.
The raw file format is essential.
Shooting raw images has become an increasingly popular alternative to JPEGs. While JPEGs are estimated to offer 10 to 12 stops of dynamic range, raw files offer 14.4 stops of dynamic range, which is as close to capturing the perfect image as you can get. A raw file is not like the JPEG version of a photo; it is a file that contains all the information you need to recreate the scene exactly as it was when you first pressed the shutter.
One of the important things about portrait photography is the importance of learning techniques. Mastering portrait photography through trial and error can sometimes be detrimental to the quality of your photography. Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, you should always be learning new techniques that will help you create better photographs.