Week 7 Portraits
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This document provides guidance on taking portrait photographs. It discusses composing formal portraits by making subjects comfortable, being in control as the photographer, and emphasizing the subject over backgrounds. It also offers tips for portraits outdoors and indoors, including considering lighting, backgrounds, and using techniques like depth of field and the rule of thirds. Specific advice is given for portraits of families, children, and in evening light. Throughout, it stresses focusing on the subject, avoiding distractions, finding fresh perspectives, and balancing elements in the frame.
Week 7 Portraits
- 1. Week 8: PortraitsJoel KinisonCollege of Southern MarylandCheck out more of Hákon’s work atPhotoQuotes.com and www.Imageree.com.“ I always thought good photos were like good jokes. If you have to explain it, it just isn’t that good. –Anonymous
- 2. Portrait BasicsA portrait is defined as a likeness of a person Reveals something of the person’s characterGood portraits contain something about the person’s personality, attitude and mannerisms
- 3. Formal PortraitsGet to know your subject with small talk or informal conversation. It’s important for people to feel comfortablePlan a few shots to break the ice.You and the subject will be nervous. Calming the subjectRelatively comfortable positionSubject will settle down during the shootYou must be in charge Competent and knowledgeableOnly then will your subject become relaxedEmphasize the person in a portrait - not his or her surroundings.
- 4. Help it happen. Give them basic direction and tell them to be themselves. Make them laugh, make them smile. Give them an activity to participate in.
- 5. Contrast and Tone –High contrastMojo from Flickrhttp://flickr.com/photos/mojo74/1182205597/
- 6. Portraits outdoorsWhat background works best with the clothes your subject is wearing? Where is the sun? Is there wind to mess up the hair?Is the location private, or will you have to worry about clutter or distractions in the background? What is the weather like; is it sunny or overcast? An overcast sky provides soft, diffused light, while a sunny sky provides bright, intense light. Overcast is preferable in most cases. What can you use in your surroundings to enhance the composition?
- 7. Portraits indoorsWill you use a flash or the available natural light? If you will use a flash, will you use the built-in flash or a bounce flash ? If you use a bounce flash, how high is the ceiling and what color are the walls? Both will affect the outcome of the shot. If you are using the available light, how strong is the light coming in from windows or doors? If the light is not very strong, you may need a slower shutter speed, and possibly a tripod to avoid blur. Pay attention to the background tones and objects.
- 8. More on backgroundsDistractionsDistracting focal point (silly face in the background)Protruding elements from subjects headsCompeting lines (strong clashing lines)StrategiesCheck your backgroundMove your subjectChange your shooting angleUse aperture or focal length to blue backgroundsFill your framePost processing
- 9. Make your location work for you. Be aware of the background and the available light, but also the environment
- 10. Make your location work for you.
- 11. Life – Digital Photography School contest resultshttp://digital-photography-school.com/life-winners-announcedPhoto bybigmakoy
- 12. The Vacation PortraitFamily with nice background sceneProblem: too much background, but you can barely tell who is in the photoIn portraits – the subject is the peopleToo much background can cause conflict
- 13. Depth of fieldBackground can be too distracting. Decrease the aperture setting on your camera to narrow the DOF. The same depth of field effect can be obtained by simply moving closer to the subject. The closer the subject is to camera, the narrower the depth of field it will appear in.
- 14. Rule of thirdsThis works under the concept that tension in the picture will bring more interest. One way of enhancing the composition of your shots is to place your points of interest inn smart positions. While the rule of thirds can be broken with great effect it’s a useful principle to keep in mind. Digital Photography Schoolhttp://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds
- 15. backgroundRule of thirds and fill the frame
- 16. Break Rules
- 17. Get CloserIf you see something interesting, don't be satisfied with just a wide shot.
- 18. Think about the essence of what you are photographing and work closer and closer until you have isolated and captured it.
- 19. Don't be shy. People are usually happy to show you what they do well.Fill your frameGet Closer
- 20. FramingNational GeographicPhotographPhotographs are two dimensional but it helps if they look and feel three dimensional. FramingIf you use objects other than your main subject in the foreground, be careful of placement. You don't want to obscure or detract from your subject.
- 21. LinesEvery time you hold your camera to your eye, look for leading lines, foreground elements, frames—anything you can use to lend dynamism to your image.
- 22. LINESIntersecting points - Lines
- 23. To really capture the mood avoid the stark and bright light of flash photography (or will want to at diffuse it) and so you’ll need to switch off your flash and do one (or all) of three things to some extent Increase your ISO
- 24. Slow down shutter speed
- 25. Use a larger ApertureLighting to really capture the mood SilhouettesDirect LightNatural LightBack Light
- 27. PERSPECTIVEOff center different perspective – Viewpoint and Framing
- 28. PERSPECTIVEOff center different perspective – Viewpoint and Framing
- 29. PERSPECTIVEMake your images stand out byfinding fresh perspectives to shoot from.
- 30. BALANCEAn internal, physical responseDoes the image feel balanced? OR does it tilt or feel heavier in one part than another
- 31. Self-portraitsSelf-portrait reflectionSelf-portrait with backlight Halo
- 32. KidsGood LuckPerspective – their levelPut hands on faceLay on floor propping up headLots of photos
- 33. Young family portraitsInteract with the children and make them comfortableDon’t try formal posesTake a lot of photosBe prepared try different perspectives
- 34. Evening Light
- 35. rememberAlways keep your end photo in mind when you are searching out locations and taking pictures. Evaluating your situations may not come as second nature like it does for professional photographers, but, with practice, you can recognize a photo and to look for those photographic elements that can help or hurt your pictures.
- 36. Have fun with filters
- 37. Week 8 AssignmentPost a portrait photo on the group Flickr web site
Editor's Notes
- #2: Sometimes it is interesting to hear the story behind the photo and you see the photo in a new light. But in most cases a photo shouldn’t need a story to back it up. It has to speak for itself.
- #12: don’t be afraid to zoom in close!
- #15: You can also capture “tight”, close up shots of your subject
- #19: Use framing to concentrate all attention on your subject
- #21: Keep in mind that any “line” used in a portrait is strongest when it comes outside the frame and leads to the subject.