We've all had our portrait taken; some of us haven't since High School and can't bear the thought of a camera lens staring us down, while others can't wait to flash their pearly whites for the world to see. Portrait photography is definitely one of those things that take a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. Beyond just clicking the lens, a professional knows how to make their subject feel comfortable and confident. This is one of the forgotten aspects of portraiture. Sure, lighting and posing is all good, but if you can't help the person be at ease, your photograph will never stand out from the rest.
The Right Light
Spending thousands of dollars on studio equipment is not necessary, beautifully lit portraits can be taken with what you have in your own home. Here are two examples, one indoor and one outdoors. Try these and then experiment with different types of light and setups.
Window Light: This set up is perfect for a sunny day. Find a window in your house where your subject can sit or stand next to it and you can face them with your camera. You will also need a large piece of white poster board or something like that. Set up your camera to the Auto Portrait mode if you want or, if you understand manual settings and exposure, set you aperture at 3.4 or 5.6 and then point your camera at the subjects face while its being illuminated by the light coming in the window, then adjust the shutter speed accordingly (try to keep your shutter speed at 1/60th of faster to avoid camera shake.) Now, if you have another person available, have them hold the white board next to the subject, parallel to the wall. The purpose of the white board is to literally "bounce" the light filtering through the window back onto the subject to bring light into the dark shadows. You do not want the board in your photograph, so make sure the person is close enough where you can see the shadows lighten up but it is not in the photo. Now you are ready to shoot. Have your subject look out the window or, look directly at you or any position in between. Try moving the white card around to adjust the position of the light. This is always a great way to get beautifully lit photos, quick and easy.
The photos above are examples of these techniques. Notice how the light is even across the face and natural looking. With these types of portrait setup we eliminate the harsh contrasts of direct sunlight and shadows.
In The Shadows: This is a great trick to beautiful outdoor portraits. On a sunny day, find a place with a large, even shadow. This could be from a big tree, a building, pretty much anything. (This technique can also be used on a cloudy day almost anywhere.) Position your subject completely in the shadow, so you see no direct sunlight anywhere on them. Now you must position yourself, which is the key. You want your camera to be in the shade if you are facing the sun even remotely, if you don't, I can guarantee lens flare. Set your camera for the correct exposure, or select an Auto setting and start shooting. Always take note off what is behind your subject, road signs, cars and other people can be distracting. Don't be afraid to zoom in either, go for the head shot!
Posing 101
The position of your subject, where their hands are or how their head tilts is just as important to the perfect portrait as lighting. I like to look through fashion magazines to get new ideas for different poses, but for the most part I just like to experiment.
Here's a link to an article that talks about posing more:
http://ezinearticles.com/?People-Skills-for-a-Portrait-Photographer&id=250554
The perfect portrait is natural looking, while the model is relaxed and comfortable. Good poses bring out a persons best features and shows off their personality.
Next time you want a picture of a family member or friend I hope you think of these tips. I would love to see your examples, or your results from trying any of these techniques, please post them! I will be happy to leave comments and answer any questions your may have.
Now get out there and shoot!
Catherine Bligh, http://www.cblighphotography.com
Next week I will go into more detail about posing, how it can reflect mood and convey certain emotions.
All images ©2006, Catherine Bligh, Photography and may not be used for any purpose or on any other website without permission.