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.
この記事は Digital Photographer の Issue 285 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Digital Photographer の Issue 285 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 Art
This is anot-so-standard zoom lens, as Matthew Richards discovers on a test drive
AstrHori 120mm f/2.8 Macro 2x
Matthew Richards finds out if double the magnification means couble the value
DxO PhotoLab 8 Elite
DXO's flagship editor gets an upgrade but, asks Rod Lawton, are the results worth it?
Panasonic Lumix GH7
Gareth Bevan thinks a new sensor and AF make this the hybrid camera to beat
STORM CHASE
Paige Vincent on the adrenaline rush, the risks and her passion for shooting in the face of storms
PROTECT YOUR IMAGES FROM AI
Pandora's box is open and, for better or worse, Alis here to stay. Here’s how you can protect your images from being used to train Al models without your permission
CREATE AI COMPOSITES
Serge Ramelli explains how to make AI work for you, by creating otherwise impossible portrait backgrounds
Paul Wilkinson's top 25... PORTRAIT TIPS & TRICKS
Even with so much information out there, taking perfect portraits can be hard work. Pro photographer Paul Wilkinson guides us through this huge genre with his pearls of wisdom
MASTER MINIMALISM
Less is more in the world of minimalism. Rebecca Greig explores what makes minimalist captures work
LITTLE WONDERS
Kim Bunermann meets Louise B to discuss the joys and challenges of working with newborns and freshly baked parents