All budding photographers, as well as those who have been photographing for a while, are looking for the same thing. They want to take stunning photos that capture the “wow” factor. It is not an easy thing to do, since beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. However, it is not impossible and instead of following rules, it is sometimes necessary to break them. Be random and boldly follow your instincts to find that special image that makes everyone stop and take notice.
1. Change the perspective – Almost all portraits are taken with the camera at eye level. Change the perspective by changing the angle from which you are shooting. Stand up on your subject for an effect. From that vantage point you can see an even more interesting look. Experiment with your composition.
2. Play with your eyes – Eye contact or the direction the eyes look greatly affects the effect of the portrait. Looking directly at the camera is not always the most interesting way to photograph someone. It can be more intriguing for the subject to look to the side, making viewers wonder what is out of the camera, unseen. But be careful how you do it, because drawing the viewer’s eyes to the side also takes their eyes off your subject.
3. Stay focused within the frame – In other words, having your subject hold an object, such as a woman holding a baby, or a child holding a toy, keeps the viewer’s eyes focused within the frame and on the subjects. Create a second point of interest and help create an in-frame story with your subject.
4. Rules of composition – The compositional rules listed in the portrait photography tips are designed to be followed and not adhered to. Rules are great to know and use, but extending or pushing them to the outer limits makes portrait art more interesting. Learn the rules, get comfortable using them, and then learn how to break them for a more eye-catching result.
5. Experiment with lighting – The possibilities are endless with lighting. It only hampers your imagination and your ability to be creative. There is nothing good or bad. So go ahead and play with the lighting. You may be surprised. Sidelight, backlight, silhouette, the possibilities are endless.
6. Make the subject move – Interesting portraits happen when you take your subject out of their comfort zone. Make them move. Put them on clothes or in a place where you normally wouldn’t find them. Surround them with things that say who they are, but make them react differently. For example, put them on commercial highlights in an office, but ask them to jump back and forth or read a book upside down. Again, be creative.
7. Don’t put the photo on stage. Taking spontaneous shots is better than posing the subject. People, and children in particular, tend to tense up and hide rather than reveal their personality when the picture is mounted and asked to pose. Photograph your subjects while they work or children while they play. Try to see them react naturally to their surroundings.
8. Use of accessories – Improve your shot by creating another point of interest with an accessory. For example, if you shoot a doctor, let him wear a stethoscope or hold a skull. Be careful not to let the accessory dominate the image, let it be part of the image that tells part of the story.
9. A part of the whole – Try to focus on one part of the whole, for example, instead of photographing the subject’s head and shoulders, take a photo or two of their hands, or their back, or maybe even a shoulder with a special tattoo, keeping the picture. face inward. shadow. Be dramatic and bold. Sometimes what’s outside the shot is just as important as what’s inside.
10. Variation of a theme – Darkening the subject to focus on a particular aspect also works well. In other words, wrapping a woman in a shawl leaving only her eyes visible and looking at the camera. Possibly making the shawl match the subject’s eyes, making for a dramatic color statement.
The possibilities for taking creative and dramatic photos are limited only by your ability to think outside the box. Learn the rules, know how to work them, and then learn to break them for a more creative effect. Lastly, take a series of shots … not just one … shoot often and fast … sometimes to get what you want.
I hope these portrait photography tips have been helpful to you.