taking portraits

Some tips to keep in mind

Taking Portraits

Components of Great PortraitsChange your

perspectivePlay with eye

contactVary the placement

of your subjectTake a series of

shotsFill the frameUse Lighting in

unique ways

Change Your Perspective

Most portraits are taken at eye level

Change your perspective for a unique twist

Play with Eye ContactMost portraits

are taken with the subject facing forward

Have the subject focus on something off-camera to create interest

Change where the subject appears in the frameCan be full-frameOn the edge of the frameOr even cut off part of the subject’s head in the

frameLeaves something to the imagination And focuses attention on parts of your subject

that you want to be focused upon

Vary the Placement of your Subject

Take a Series of Shots Use “continuous shooting” mode and fire off

more than one shot at a time.Create a series of images that could be

presented together instead of just one static image.

Fill the FrameOne way to ensure

that your subject captures the attention of the viewer of your portrait is to fill the frame with their face.

It’s not something that you’d do in every shot that you take

If your subject is the only feature in the shot - there’s really nowhere else to look.

Some ideas to consider

Self-Portraits

From Where I StandDennis Maitland has

a unique take on the self-portrait

He uses aerial views of Detroit to showcase his self-portraits

It combines a birds-eye view and parts of him

http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration/100-seriously-cool-self-portraits-and-tips-to-shoot-your-own/

100 Cool Self-Portrait Ideas

Unique LightingUse light to create

an interesting portrait:

Side lit Portraits

Black backgrounds

White backgrounds

Black Background

White Background

Take a series of portraits to experimentTake a picture for each of the following portrait

components:PerspectiveEye ContactSubject placementSeries of shotsFill the FrameSelf-portraitUnique Lighting

Side lit PortraitUse a White or Black background and play around with

lighting

Your Task #2…