Portraits are one of the most common types of photographs taken. Whether you're a new photographer or a seasoned veteran, chances are good that you've taken your share of senior photos, corporate profile pictures and professional shots for individuals. Just because portrait photography has a long history, it doesn't have to feel old and stuffy. Breathe new life into your portrait pictures with a few creative techniques.
The Rule of Thirds
Separate your photo frame into thirds in your mind. Look through the viewfinder of your camera and mentally draw three vertical lines down the frame so that 1/3 of the image is separated into each frame. Now, position your subject so he is either in the left or right third of the frame. Keep in mind that a portrait captures the head and shoulders or upper torso of the subject. When your portrait is a vertical shot, split the frame into thirds again and position the subject in the top left or right corner. In extreme close-up portrait shots, position the eyes in the upper third of the photo, the mouth in the middle and the torso in the bottom third.
Look Into Space
Take your subject out of the studio and have him look at the busy street, ocean beach or grass-swept hill around him. Select a location that expresses an aspect of the subject's personality or one of his interests. Capture portrait shots of him looking into space rather than directly into the camera lens. Snap the photo when the subject's head is turned to the right or the left. Your viewer will instantly be drawn into the space where the subject is looking. Experiment with movement, capturing shots of the subject looking directly at the camera as well as away from it. Position the subject so his back is toward you and he must turn to the opposite side of the frame to look back at the camera. This technique creates an engaging, dynamic photo rather than an expected and static shot.
Change Your Perspective
Don't limit your portraits to settings where you place your camera on the eye level of your subjects. Instead, climb up on a ladder to position yourself above them. Have subjects look up at you for a fresh look. Or, lay on the ground with your camera and position the subject on the floor as well to shoot slightly up. Either way, you'll create an interesting and engaging angle with this technique.
In the Zone
Move your subject out of his comfort zone to move your portraits into the zone of trailblazing creativity. Along with the standard seated and standing head-and-shoulder portrait shots, take a few extraordinary shots to give your subject variety -- he just may end up liking the unconventional position the best. Have your subject jump onto his bed or into his pool; ask him to sit down in a sand trap or step off a stage into a foam pit if it expresses his personality and loosens him up a bit. Introduce a simple prop like a golf club, bat, glasses, bubble gum, wooden spoon or whatever connects with your subject's personality and interests, and shoot him candidly with it. Don't stage a shot with the prop. Just ask your subject to use the prop casually, as he would in real life and pretend you're not there. Snap pictures from different angles, capturing him in an un-staged moment for a ground-breaking portrait.
Portraits are one of the most common types of photographs taken. Whether you're a new photographer or a seasoned veteran, chances are good that you've taken your share of senior photos, corporate profile pictures and professional shots for individuals. Just because portrait photography has a long history, it doesn't have to feel old and stuffy. Breathe new life into your portrait pictures with a few creative techniques.
The Rule of Thirds
Separate your photo frame into thirds in your mind. Look through the viewfinder of your camera and mentally draw three vertical lines down the frame so that 1/3 of the image is separated into each frame. Now, position your subject so he is either in the left or right third of the frame. Keep in mind that a portrait captures the head and shoulders or upper torso of the subject. When your portrait is a vertical shot, split the frame into thirds again and position the subject in the top left or right corner. In extreme close-up portrait shots, position the eyes in the upper third of the photo, the mouth in the middle and the torso in the bottom third.
Look Into Space
Take your subject out of the studio and have him look at the busy street, ocean beach or grass-swept hill around him. Select a location that expresses an aspect of the subject's personality or one of his interests. Capture portrait shots of him looking into space rather than directly into the camera lens. Snap the photo when the subject's head is turned to the right or the left. Your viewer will instantly be drawn into the space where the subject is looking. Experiment with movement, capturing shots of the subject looking directly at the camera as well as away from it. Position the subject so his back is toward you and he must turn to the opposite side of the frame to look back at the camera. This technique creates an engaging, dynamic photo rather than an expected and static shot.
Change Your Perspective
Don't limit your portraits to settings where you place your camera on the eye level of your subjects. Instead, climb up on a ladder to position yourself above them. Have subjects look up at you for a fresh look. Or, lay on the ground with your camera and position the subject on the floor as well to shoot slightly up. Either way, you'll create an interesting and engaging angle with this technique.
In the Zone
Move your subject out of his comfort zone to move your portraits into the zone of trailblazing creativity. Along with the standard seated and standing head-and-shoulder portrait shots, take a few extraordinary shots to give your subject variety -- he just may end up liking the unconventional position the best. Have your subject jump onto his bed or into his pool; ask him to sit down in a sand trap or step off a stage into a foam pit if it expresses his personality and loosens him up a bit. Introduce a simple prop like a golf club, bat, glasses, bubble gum, wooden spoon or whatever connects with your subject's personality and interests, and shoot him candidly with it. Don't stage a shot with the prop. Just ask your subject to use the prop casually, as he would in real life and pretend you're not there. Snap pictures from different angles, capturing him in an un-staged moment for a ground-breaking portrait.
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