More Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks For Great Portraits

In my last article on portrait photography tips and tricks we discussed some new or different ways to approach a portrait. Portrait photography can be the most difficult and the most rewarding type of photography. Difficult because it is a portrait and you want to have the subjects personality show. Most rewarding because when you can get that to happen you have more than just a photo, you have a portrait.

Here are some more portrait photography tips and tricks to get you thinking out of the box and engage your subject for a great photo.

Candid Camera

No, I'm not telling you to use a hidden camera but to get candid shots. Posed portraits can look artificial and staged. When you get your subject involved in doing something your pictures are likely to be more natural and show more of your subject's individuality. What is your subject's hobby? Are they a gardener? Do they tinker with old cars? Are they a cook? Get them involved in what they love and it will show in the portrait. Use a long zoom lens if you like so you feel less intrusive. Of course action sports shots like skiing, hiking, sailing, climbing etc are wonderful but unless you also participate in the sport, they're pretty tough on the photographer!

Use a Prop

This technique is especially good with kids. Give them something to play with and all you need to do is keep up! You do need to make sure the prop doesn't become the focus of the portrait instead of the subject. Do allow the prop to add interaction and a sense of place and story to the portrait and show your subject in a different light, adding another layer to them.

Focus on One Part of the Body

Get close up on just part of your subject and not necessarily the face. Think how much a person's hands say about them, especially if they work with those hands as an artist or craftsman. What would the feet of a dancer show about your subject? Or a many-pierced ear? Or the back of a neck with a small tattoo just glimpsed in part of the picture?

All of these portrait photography tips and tricks add interest to the portrait as well as showing parts of your subject's personality that might not otherwise show in a more traditional portrait.

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 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 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.