Photography Information and Tips

Deadlines are July 1rst, but i cant find where to schedule my appointment for senior photos. Bryan allan is contracted with Mariner high school. Cape Coral, Fl

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A photographer that takes nice senior portraits and willing to travel to Mississippi to take wedding pictures.

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Portraiture can be very rewarding. It is an opportunity to display someone’s best side (literally), to create an image that says something.

The first rule of good portrait photography is LOOK at your subject.

Although this may sound obvious take a look through all the photos you have of friends and family to see if there is a certain “sameness” about them. Head and shoulders, passport photos, awkward poses, uncomfortable expressions, blank looks, embarrassed smiles…?

Everyone has some individual feature that should be photographed. This doesn’t mean it has to be a $2000 nose job, pouty lips, bedroom eyes or perfect skin. But it should be some quality that best communicates the person’s individuality.

Sound daunting? It isn’t if you follow some basics.

Don’t Use Direct Flash.

Flash is light at its most boring. On rare occasions it can really lift a shot into dazzling life, but most of the time using available light is better. Flash has the tendency to make the image seem bland and breaks any mood or sense of trust you have created with your subject.

Use a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is best.

Wide angle is a big no-no.

Use Vertical Compostion.

Turn the camera on its side. A protrait photograph generally encompasses the head and upper body and sometimes includes the hands. Portraits almost always look best when taken vertically. Horizontal framing leaves you with wide open spaces either side of the subject that can detract from the feel of the shot.

Get Your Subject Dressed Up if That’s at all Possible.

If this is a semi-formal portrait you can have some say in the clothes. Dark or light, solid colors work best. Patterns, checks, stripes and swirls add confusion to the eye of the viewer. Strong colors can can overwhelm the skin tones. A vee or scoop neck is better than a round neck. For older women or men, cover up the shoulders, for young women leave them exposed.

Try to use whatever available light you have to create a good effect.

Try to place your subject in a postion where there is soft light coming mainly from one direction. This can give a moody feel and usually gets the eyes more attention. You can use a reflector on the shadowed side to ‘bounce the light’ if the contrast between highlight and shadow is too strong. A simple reflector can be made by covering a sheet of cardboard with aluminum foil.

Choose Your Subject’s “best side”.

People really do have one. Get one shoulder turned towards the camera so one side is favored a little. Try that particular pose another way and work out which one is best.

Allow the Person to be Seated.

This helps put them at ease by haviing somewhere to “be” and assists you in being able to direct them more easily. Direct the person.

In a portrait photo, you’re dealing with minor movements and shifts of position and angle. Try to shoot slightly above the person to make the eyes open more. Lower the shoulder closest to the camera, get the head straight or at an engaging angle. Drop the chin a fraction.

Some people look best when they smile and some don’t. You can get more interesting expressions and nuances without a smile. Ask your subject to think about something they like. This will highlight the eyes and accentuate the mouth lines.

If the hands are in the shot, take a good look at them. Hands can sometimes look awkward or even ugly. A fist that is lightly closed is usually neutral. Place the hands in the lap on resting on a knee and see how it looks. Crop them out later if they don’t work.

If you’re shooting candid portraits the same tips apply but in these shots you have to move around to get the best angle.

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