Portrait Photography Tips - Shooting Wow Pictures

All budding photographers, as well as those who've been shooting for awhile, are all looking for the same thing. They want to shooting stunning photographs that capture the "wow" factor. It is not an easy thing to do, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, it is not impossible and rather than following rules, sometimes it is necessary to break them. Be random and boldly follow your instincts to find that special picture that makes everyone stop and take notice.

1. Change the Perspective - Nearly all portraits are taken with the camera at eye level. Change the perspective by changing the angle from which you're shooting. Get up high over your subject for one effect. From that vantage you may see an even more interesting aspect. Experiment with your composition.

2. Play with the Eyes - Eye contact or the direction in which the eyes are gazing heavily affects the effect of the portrait. Looking directly into the camera isn't always the most interesting way to shoot someone. It may be more intriguing to have the subject look off to the side, drawing those who look at the shot to wonder what's there, off camera, unseen. But be careful how you do this, because drawing the viewer's eyes to the side also takes their eyes off your subject.

3. Staying Focused within the Frame - In other words, have your subject holding an object, like a woman holding a baby, or a child holding a toy keeps the viewers eyes focused inside the frame and on the subjects. It creates a second point of interest and helps to create a story within the frame with the subject.

4. Composition Rules - Composition rules as listed in portrait photography tips, are made to be followed and broken. The rules are great to know and to use, but stretching them, or pushing to the outer limits makes for more interesting portrait art. Learn the rules, get comfortable using them, then learn to break them in order to achieve a more eye catching result.

5. Experiment with Lighting - The possibilities are endless with lighting. You are hindered only by your imagination and ability to be creative. There is no good and bad. So go ahead and play with the lighting. You might surprise yourself. Sidelight, back-light, silhouette, the possibilities are infinite.

6. Make Subject Move - Interesting portraits happen when you take the subject out of his or her comfort zone. Make them move. Put them in clothing or in a setting where you wouldn't ordinarily find them. Surround them with stuff that says who they are, but make them react differently to it. For instance, put them in business attire in an office, but have them jump up and down or read a book upside down. Again, be creative.

7. Don't Stage the Photo - Shooting candid shots are better than posing the subject. People, and kids in particular tend to tense up and hide rather than reveal their personality when the picture is staged and they are required to pose. Photograph your subjects while they work or kids while they play. Try to catch them reacting naturally to their environment.

8. Using Props - Enhance your shot by creating another point of interest with a prop. For example, if you're shooting a doctor, let them be wearing a stethoscope or holding a skull. Be careful not to let the prop dominate the picture, let it be part of the picture telling part of the story.

9. A Part of the Whole - Try focusing on a part of the whole, for instance, instead of shooting the head and shoulders of your subject, take a picture or two of their hands, or their back, or maybe even a shoulder with a special tattoo, keeping the face in shadow. Be dramatic and bold. Sometimes what is left out of the shot is as important as what is left in.

10. Variation on a Theme - Obscuring your subject in order to focus on one particular aspect works well too. In other words, shrouding a woman in a shawl leaving only her eyes visible and looking at the camera. Possibly making the shawl match the eyes of the subject making for a dramatic color statement.

The possibilities for taking creative and dramatic shots are limited only by your ability to think outside the box. Know the rules, know how to work them, then learn how to break them for a more creative effect. Finally, take a series of shots... not just one... shoot often and quick... sometimes, in order to get what you want.

I hope you have found these portrait photography tips useful.

Jonnie Blaylock is a hobbyist photographer that helps new photographers learn the fundamentals with his Portrait Photography Tips and more.

Portrait Photography Tips For Good Looking Portraits

The ability to take great portraits depends on following a few essential "rules" I've boiled down to these portrait photography tips. Even if you are just starting out, following these guidelines can assist you in improving your portraits.

Types of Portraits

First, it is important to understand the different types of portraits which you can take. There are three basic types of portraits. They are 1) close-ups or head shots, 2) head and shoulder shots and 3) environmental shots. An environmental shot is a type of portrait where the photographer focuses on the subject and the environment that surrounds the subject. This type of shot provides character to the subject.

The type of portrait you choose depends on the purpose of the portrait and the mood you want to convey. A more formal portrait, for example, might feature an upper body shot. A less formal portrait might be an environmental shot. A great environmental portrait can be achieved provided that you frame the environment and the subject well. Arches, doorways and windows can all be used to your advantage for framing an environmental portrait.

Portrait Photography Tips: Posing

There are also different ways in which the subject can be posed. Many of the best portraits are taken when the subject is not actually looking directly into the camera. In fact, great portraits are often taken when the subject is completely comfortable and natural. Allow the subject to sit or stay comfortably.

You might have them sit on a chair or even on the floor. Encourage them to be comfortable. If you need less of a relaxed look, you can always move in closer to focus on a face shot.

Portrait Photography Tips: Depth of Field and Focal Length

Both depth of field and focal length are critical to creating great portraits. When you have a shallow depth of field, the focal point will be sharp while everything else becomes blurry. This can prevent the background from distracting the viewer's attention from the subject.

A larger aperture setting will result in a shallow depth of field with a background that is softer while the subject is sharp. Likewise a smaller aperture setting will result in both the foreground and the background appearing in focus and sharp.

Zooming or walking in closer will help you to fill the frame with the subject of the portrait. This does not necessarily mean you must do a facial or close-up shot. Filling the frame with your subject will still allow you to achieve a 'tight' full-body shot.

Portrait Photography Tips: Lighting

Lighting is critical to good portrait photography. There are various types of lighting that can be used in portrait photography. Main light should typically be diffused or you may have results that are too harsh. You can diffuse the main light by placing something nearly transparent between the main light and the subject. Generally, the main light should be positioned approximately 45 degrees either to the left or the right of the portrait subject.

Fill lights are also used, typically opposite the main light source. Fill lights should be used with less intensity than the main light source; however. One of the advantages of fill lights is that they can soften shadows that may be created as a result of the main light.

Side lights or hair lights can provide lighting for the subject's hair. This can give your portrait depth and can also help in separating your subject from the background.

John Best is a photography enthusiast that has a hard time putting down his camera. John also likes to teach photography business and is currently building up a site with free photography tutorials at http://www.freephotovideos.com

Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks

Would you like to improve your portrait photography? Knowing how to set up your camera and lighting to take quality pictures is just one of many steps. You also have to pose your subject while helping them feel relaxed and comfortable. Having great technical skills is a good start, but personal skills will also go a long way when photographing people. Let's look at some things you'll have to consider to take good portraits.

If you're taking your portraits in a studio be sure to set up everything before your subject arrives. Making your subject wait can make them feel anxious and even annoyed. These negative feelings will show up in the photographs. Get the lighting right. Have some props. Props can be used to make your subject feel more comfortable. Many people will relax more quickly if they're given something to do with their hands. If you're using a backdrop have it in place before the person arrives. If you're shooting outside of your studio, try to familiarize yourself with the location before the shoot. Walk around the area and get ideas for pictures.

You should plan a general look and feel for the portraits before the photo shoot. When your subject arrives discuss those ideas with them and get feedback. These original ideas often change, but they're good to set you in a direction for the photography session.

Don't be afraid to give your subject directions. Most people need to be posed for photographs. Many, if left to their own devices, will appear slouchy in pictures. Having your subject lean slightly forward will help stop them from slouching. While you're taking the pictures talk to our subject about their interests. Getting to know them better will help them feel more comfortable. Eventually, they may forget about the camera all together. If someone is uncomfortable having their portrait taken it really shows up in the picture. It's important that you go out of your way to help them relax.

Be creative. Creative portraits that break the rules can be very effective. Try different camera angels. Change the lighting. Use filters. See what works best for the mood your trying to capture. Some portraits may just include the person's hands. In some portraits the face fills the whole picture. Photography is a creative art. Once you know the rules don't be afraid to break them. As you make changes, be confident without being bossy. This will help your subject trust your decisions and be more willing to follow your instructions.

Combining these skills with the technical skills you already have will help make you the most popular portrait photographer in town.

Lovelyn loves photography and want to share her knowledge with you. Check out her website for more portrait photography tips. You can find plenty of other free tutorials there too.

Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks For Great Portraits

Whether you're a professional photography or an amateur like me one of the most difficult shots to take is a portrait. Shooting a portrait that captures the subject's personality is really an art. Some of the best ones I've ever seen are portraits that break the rule and step out of the box, not for the shock or "odd" value but for the change of perspective that can often really portray your subject in a different light that let's their individuality show. Here are some portrait photography tips and tricks I've used in the past to take great portraits. I hope they'll fire up your own imagination.

Alter Your Perspective

Most portraits are taken at eye level of the subject. Try for a different height and change things around. Shoot down on your subject from above or lay down on the floor and shoot up and see what happens.

Eye Contact

The eyes really influence the feel of a portrait. A subject looking directly into the camera lens has a much different feel than one who is focused on something outside of the camera frame. Have your subject focus on something outside the frame to add interest. What are they looking at? What's making them laugh? What are they so intently interested in? Is it a thing or a person? Another idea to try is having your subject focus on something in the frame with them. A book, a pet, a child. Something to interact with and create interest and a story.

Break the Rules

The rule of thirds in composition was established because it is pleasing to the eye. Use that rule more as a guideline or break it entirely by framing your subject to one side and you will have a totally different picture.

Change Things Up

We all have preconceptions of a photographic portrait. Posed in a static environment that we are familiar with. Change things up and get your subject moving or doing something a bit outside their normal comfort zone. Stand on one foot, jump up and down, stand on a chair, play with a hat. Sounds silly, but your subject will laugh and move in a different way and you may get some out of the ordinary shots.

I'm an amateur portrait photographer. My favorite subjects are portraits of dogs and kids, especially together. Stop by PHOTOGRAPHYPOSE.INFO for tips on how to pose models and taking great portraits.

Portrait Photography Tips For Beginners

Every photographer is looking for one thing: the "wow" factor. Capturing a photograph that is stunning and artistic in every angle is not an easy thing to do, since the definition of art and beauty differs with each individual. However, it can be done by following your instinct as an artist.

Try matching that with this set of portrait photography tips and see what happens.

In portrait photography, there are times where the effect of working against the rules is incredibly beautiful. It is sometimes good to be random and bold to be able to shoot that perfect picture.

In line with that, try to experiment with your composition. Basically, portraits are taken with the camera at eye level. Change the angle from which you are shooting and notice the change in perspective. Depending on the effect you want to achieve, you can position yourself over or lower your subject. From varying your vantage, you may see an even more interesting aspect of the object of focus.

The direction in which the eyes look at the camera greatly affects the effect of the portrait. Know that directly looking into the camera is not always the best way of shooting someone. Play with the eyes and be more intriguing. This way, reviewers of the shot are drawn to wonder as to what is probably there, off camera.

Stay focused within the portrait frame. It helps to come up with a second point of interest that is related to the main focus of the portrait. In other words, create a story within the frame.

Composition rules that are advised as portrait photography tips are meant to be followed and broken. These rules are important to be studied and used. However, stretching them or pushing to their outer limits can result to far more promising pieces. Aside from being unconventional, it can result to more interesting form of portrait art.

At the end of this article, I'd like to share cool websites with more tips on topics like portrait photography tips and how to draw a rose. Visit for more information.