Before we begin, I have to warn you of something: once you enter the world of portrait photography, don’t you ever want to leave again?Portraits are addictive and sooner or later, if you like photography, you’ll fall. My theory is that this happens for several reasons, obviously we feel more empathy for a person than for any living being or object, we are human, we cannot help them, another reason is that they are very convenient to train with a new camera and if you can If you do not find anyone with a predisposition to pose for you, you can always resort to self-portrait. These are some of the reasons why portrait attracts, but the most important is the ability of a portrait to move, to move. Capture that person’s soul, the essence of your model, you will conquer your viewer.
To move with a landscape, for example, you need a place that inspires you, the right light, the ideal lens and a good composition, but to amaze with a portrait the most important thing is to know how to look inside. person, to steal a piece of his soul. If you succeed, and with some basics, you can make stunning portraits. Today I’m going to tell you these basics and some tips for you to learn how to “look inside” that person. Do you like to risk entering a world you won’t be able to get out of?
- The first thing to know is that there are different types of shots in the portrait and not only in the foreground.
- Which is the one that will surely come to mind.
- Let’s see them:.
You can also play with the camera angle to make other shots depending on the perspective.
Of course, it’s basic. Can you photograph a family member and/or friends who can’t refuse your offer because of how much they love you, find an aspiring model who wants to practice and can also use the photos for their “book”, try the stolen street or if all this fails you?You can always make a self-portrait. More patience than you with yourself, I don’t think anyone has.
No light, no picture. You should know that now. In addition to being an essential part of the photo, it is an element with which you can play to get very different results. From drawing a silhouette with a back light to highlighting your model’s aggressive personality with intense light. The theme of light would suffice for an entire article, but fear not, we will not keep you waiting, we have already prepared it for you: the complete guide to illuminate your portraits. And as a tip, you can discover the beauty of portraits taken with a Beauty Dish.
I would personally recommend the king of the lenses (a 1. 4 out of 50 mm), and I’m sure Mario will too (or the 1. 8 of 50 mm). However, here are 8 recommended lenses for portrait photography.
This is not necessary unless it is a self-portrait, in which case it becomes indispensable. But this can be useful if your model has a phobia of the camera. Place the camera on the tripod and while you’re chatting, use the remote trigger.
An inappropriate background can completely ruin a portrait or bring it much more to life, if the environment doesn’t have your protagonist, don’t include it, choose to take shorter photos, and use large openings that blur the background. a lot and can contribute to your protagonist’s story but there are elements that don’t convince you, you can try in black and white.
Although it is ideal to use natural light, for its own beauty, it is very likely that you will find yourself in situations where you do not have it and that you have to use the flash, in this case try not to be the one that is incorporated if you want to get a good result. The flash will serve you indoors, as an extra flash (to remove shadows) or for night portraits (and red eyes?).
Composition is another element that cannot be forgotten in a portrait, there are two basic rules that you should only ignore if you really have a specific, artistic, creative, emotional or whatever you want, the only reason that is not valid is the no-know-how. These two rules are:
According to this rule you must leave the greatest space where the subject’s gaze is directed, playing with the law of gaze allows you to say a lot about the moment or about your protagonist, I tell you everything here.
Most likely you already know this rule and I just have to remind you that the focus is usually the gaze, so in closer shots you have to focus on the points of interest, in a general shot it will be the subject or face that is on the intersecting lines. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you should know that this is one of the first lessons you need to learn in photography, so I recommend that you walk through here before continuing.
(Bonus: Silence? Don’t tell anyone, but I’ll “give” you another 13 composition tips to get amazing portraits. )
Now comes the hardest part, the crucial moment, the magical moment when you decide to press the button because that look is exactly what your model strips, because at that very moment, it says who it is. easy, requires training and sensitivity, but I will be like a GPS in your search for your soul, I leave you a route so you know where to drive and do not get lost along the way, here is the fastest route ?
That’s not all, you can stick with “classic” portraits or start practicing black and white portraits, night portraits or different portraits. You dare?
If you’ve been stung by the error (which I’m afraid) and want to delve into the subject, don’t hesitate and get the Guide to Mastering Portrait Photography. What you can’t stop doing is practicing. It portrays, represents and represents. If not, what you’ve read won’t do you any good?
Thank you for coming and sharing it on the networks if you see it useful. See you next time!