Some portraiture basics

Portraiture can be very challenging because it doesn’t only involve Technical knowledge in photography but also knowledge in personal interaction. This means that the photographer needs to build a rapport with the subject. It involves talking to the subject, informing the subject the idea of the shoot and of course making the subject feel relaxed in front of the camera.

What I normally do in paid works is ask the client what they want or how they wantphotograph to come out. I tell them my idea about the whole shoot and encourage them to interact, I then inform the subject about the whole idea of the photo shoot. A photographer should know how to motivate a subject and bring out the character of the subject. This makes a good photo and a satisfied client.



What lens do you use?

You can use any lens you want as long as you know the effect of the lens to the subject.

A wide-angle lens such as 24mm-50mm on a 35mm camera gives distortion to the face of the subject and the outcome is not very flattering. However this lens is good to use for environmental portraits to show wider angle of view.

A telephoto lens is more suitable for headshots because the face is not distorted. A good range would be 85mm-135mm on a 35mm camera.



(example of an environmental portraiture)

Focus

In portraiture always focus in the subject’s eyes and then recompose the whole picture.

Posing

Head and shoulder should be at an angle. This makes the subject look more dynamic and less heavy. In order to have a more relaxed looking shoulder, ask the model not to keep their feet together, instead the other foot should be brought forward. Also ask the subject to tilt their head in different directions for movement.

Watch those hands and fingers. The hands are as important as the face, it is where people look at after the face. You can ask the subject to hold the waist or maybe ask them to hold something that can help in the composition of the picture or put them in their chin, the arm will serve as a line that directs viewer's eyes to the face.

Smile or not to smile. It depends on how you like the picture to look like, both have their own characteristics. If you want a happy mood then ask the subject to smile or laugh but if you want a more formal pose ask the subject not to smile or ask them to think of something serious. Always look for that expression, laughing old people is always nice to capture or crying babies.


Portraiture


Tips:

∑ Look at different magazines to have different ideas.
∑ Visualize what you want for your photograph.
∑ Get beautiful models and those who can pose in front of a camera.
∑ Be copycats. Try to copy lighting, posing and effects this will make you technically proficient. Experiment after.
∑ Practice, practice, practice.
∑ For studio portraits get a good make up artists.

People photography

-When in a different and you want to take pictures of people, it is best to know the culture of the country. Read about their culture or ask from their travel authority.

-As much as possible refrain from using telephoto lens. it makes people paranoid. You don't want a person with a big camera following you around right?



-Always smile, a smile takes away fear from people around you. And of course you appear as a friend to them.

-Try and talk to the person you want to take picture of, by doing this the subject gets relaxed and you will have more opportunities for different shots.

-Take candids. who knows, results can be amazing! Just be sure your shutter speed is fast enough to capture those moments.

-Take their photo while doing a local ritual or ceremony. This is an automatic story teller about the person and the country.




-Take photos of people in public places. This is very interesting because this will show how majority of the people are in their country in terms of culture.