
The broad range of talents you need for portrait photography makes it incredibly appealing.
Part artist, part physicist, part counsellor, part clown: it is indeed multi-faceted.
Every person's face is different, so uniqueness is almost guaranteed each time you create a portrait.
However, there are still skills and ideas you can bring to bear when working with your subject, from getting the best out of natural light to creating tension in the design of the image and knowing when to release the shutter.
In this feature, I've outlined some of the ideas that have worked for me over the years and could very well work for you too. I have broken them down into sections for clarity but, honestly, they are a mishmash of many influences and millions of images. Let's get started!
Softly does it...
Getting the best lighting for portraits isn't always easy, but get out there with your gear and make the most of any conditions
The most readily available soft light source is natural daylight: all you require is an overcast sky. If you are lucky to live in sunnier climes, there are always shady porches and doorways to avoid hard sunlight and capture some simple headshots.
Provided my subject in the doorway can see the sky over my shoulder when they look up to the camera, the light will always be reliable.
I know I have it sorted when I can see the sky clearly reflected in their eyes - the sky is a natural softbox, illuminating the face and creating wonderful catchlights. This pose has the advantage that the subject's body drops out of focus, making it all about the face.
If I want to keep the camera at the same eye level as my client, I will look for something a little more architectural for perfect light usually an outdoor covered porch or a gazebo that funnels the daylight. If I place the subject further back into the shade, the light source becomes increasingly front-on and less bright.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 285-Ausgabe von Digital Photographer.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 285-Ausgabe von Digital Photographer.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

THE LIFE OF AN INFLUENCER
Instagram star Mike Will demystifies what it means to be an influencer and how it can become a sustainable career for a photographer

Sony AI ||
Gareth Bevan wonders whether new AF tech is a sufficient upgrade

Photo CV
We profile an expert photographer's career journey for insight on becoming established in the industry

BENDING LIGHT
Eric Meola discusses his love affair with the power of colour across his illustrious, decades-long career in photography

STORY BEHIND THE STILL
\"I'm drawn to conservation photography because it combines the art of nature photography with a problem-solving approach. By capturing the beauty of the natural world, I aim to highlight pressing environmental issues and inspire action to protect our planet.

GEAR OF THE YEAR
Your guide to the best, most exciting and most innovative photographic kit of 2024

FRAMING FACES
Master this genre with expert advice on how to set the spotlight on your subject through basic and creative photographic techniques

ON1 Photo RAW 2025
Does headline-grabbing AI tech make this a worthy purchase? Rod Lawton finds out

SAMYANG LAUNCHES ITS FIRST CANON RF-S LENS - AND A NEW PRIMA SERIES
In a landmark occasion for Samyang, the South Korean company presents its new Prima range - and first autofocus lens for Canon RF

10 TECHNIQUES FOR BETTER LANDSCARES
Expand your skills to take your landscape photos to the next level