4 Quick Tips for Portraits
I met Pro Photographer George Tippet (no website… yet) at a function recently where he was the official photographer. I sidled up to him in a quiet moment, introduced myself and after chatting with him for a few minutes asked if he’d mind giving me a few ‘quick tips’ for portrait photography (his expertise). Here’s what he said (and what I managed to jot down quickly on a napkin).
1. Keep it Simple
The more complex your scene is the more unlikely you are to get a shot that is the X factor. Keep your backgrounds (and foregrounds) uncluttered, work with natural light where you can, if you have to use artificial light keep it simple and use as few lights as possible.
2. Set up the Shot before Introducing Your Subject to it
Be as prepared as possible before your subject arrives. If you’re shooting in a studio have your lighting ready and camera set up and ready to go. If you’re shooting on location know where you want to shoot. Have your camera’s settings ready to go and even do a few test shots before your subject arrives. This way you don’t keep them waiting around and get to photograph them when they are fresh.
3. Shoot into the Light
George was a big fan of back lighting - particularly when shooting outdoors. He talked about how this added interest, depth and sometimes color into an image. Lens hoods are a must if you’re doing this outside in bright environments though - you’ll also need fill flash.
4. Shoot from Slightly Below Your Subject’s Eyeline
One thing I noticed about George was that during the event he always seemed to be bending his knees slightly. He wasn’t that tall so I asked about it. He told me that he found that shooting from slightly below a person’s eyeline was something that he found to be quite flattering for most people. He used this both with shots where a subject was standing or sitting. Similarly - George recommended lighting from slightly below rather than above a subject also.
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these are great tip! i have never really tried tip #4 before. i think i’m going to try it out.
Great advice! Especially #2 in my opinion.
I used to do the makeup for my roommates photo shoots (now I am the one taking the pictures!), and I noticed that she always made her subjects wait by setting up the lighting after they arrived. I would do the makeup during her set up instead of before the shoot, but it sometimes put me under pressure. I haven’t had any serious photo shoots myself yet, but I am going to follow the advice here.
Tip 4 sounds rather interesting. Would love to try it out =)
Raymond Chan
http://chanraymond.net
Great tips! I never tried number four but I am lookig forward to givng it a go.
Quick and good. Nice piece, and I second it all. One thing as a pro that I have not though about enough is the eye line tip.
I’ll certainly be experimenting with it in future sessions… Gavin Seim
Yes, the fourth tip is head-on! I can;t remember taking a picture without being down on my knees, or at least bending them - especially for portraits.
–Klaidas
http://www.klaidas.lt
Some great tips…a couple I haven’t heard before. Can’t wait to try them out!
Wow, tip 4 is interesting. I’ve also heard that shooting from above eye level naturally opens up their eyes and reduces any double chins they might have. I’m curious as to which is right, or in which situations they both are.
The double chin factor would be less flattering for #4
great tips. thx for the article and for including my photograph!
great tips thanks for sharing
great tips! #4 I have to try it out! Actually need to try out all!
Tips #4 works even better when photographing children….
http://blackerphotography.blogspot.com/
Great tips! Thanks.
Tip #5: Find an awesome mustache.
I agree with Alex, tip #4 is great with children. I have always found that taking pictures from below or at the same level of a child’s perspective will give you great results.
I found a nice idea was too wait about 5 seconds to allow your subject to get bored and lose their pose. People always adopt a false portrait pose for a shot, wait a few second until they drop it and be ready to snap then. It looks much more natural and you capture their mood better.
Great tips.. like most here number 4 is one I will be trying out asap. Hmmmm…. maybe tonight actually :)
All great advice, but #4 will make a big difference, been trying to get a great shot of my son for months now but the misses is never happy. Will try all of these and hopefully get the result she is looking for.
I,m just wondering on what part of the face should be highlighted. I believe that the eyes must be highlighted. The shine and clear color of the eyes would make a good portrait.
this will be helpful to the already having some tips for their portrait photography…….i feel that 50% of the photographers love backlight (contr-jour effect) because it gives them the opportunity to play with light from both sides……….somewhat difficult than plain lighting.
Reading Jodie’s comment and her solution is ALMOST the same as mine. Instead of waiting 5 seconds to get rid of that “Shell-Shot” look, I take the initial shot, watch as they relax and take a 2nd shot which results in that “pleasent surprise” look and then take a 3rd. That’s the one I usually keep.
Further to Gerry.. i also found that while taking group shots in social occasion, the pre-shots before they are ready and post shots while they are relaxed are much more natural and lively than the dedicated one..
thanks guys!!
I am truely learning a lot!!
I found out about tip #4 in a surprising way — I have a pretty kid-tolerant digital point-and-shoot, and my nieces (ages 4-8) love to borrow it to take pictures. The first time I saw their pictures of all the adults, it was amazing! Since the kids are so much shorter, the pictures (taken pointing way up at the standing adults) had a totally different perspective, and was often flattering (except when the girls were too close, and shooting straight up). I try to remember this now.
Really good tips, especially #4. I can imagine how that changes the perspective and how it can flatter the person who’s being shot.
I’ll certainly be trying these out… thanks, great post.
sime http://www.gtvone.com
Thanks for these tips. I’m not really that good at portraits.
I agree with the first two comments and I have a problem with the second two. Three and four have to do more with the intended results but I almost never shoot into the light for a portrait but rather open shade and use sun for hairlight if possible. In addition for most situations camera should be at eye level- camera below risks shooting up the subject’s nose. All rules can be broken but good portraiture is still good portraiture.
Nice I absolutely love that portrait of the girl. The blown details give her an innocent feel.