Get great portrait shots of your friends and family
Portrait’s of friends and family are a staple of any photo collection as they help preserve precious memories of the ones you love. Getting portrait’s right can be difficult, so here are some handy tips to help you along.
Lighting
For really flattering natural light, take your shot outside or position your model by a window. If this is not possible, then use a desk lamp or your camera’s flash to light your subject. When using pop-up flash, place a piece of white paper in front of it to bounce the light, otherwise it could appear quite harsh and unflattering. If parts of your subject’s face are in shadow use a reflector (or piece of card covered with tin foil) to bounce the light back into the dark areas.
Camera settings
The optimum settings for portraits are a wide aperture, fast shutter speed and low ISO. The wide aperture (low f-number) will create a shallow depth of field. This will reduce the background to a creamy blur, making your subject stand out in the frame. A fast shutter speed will prevent any blur from appearing in your image if your subject moves. The low ISO will ensure you get a grain-free image, but can be raised if your shots are too dark. Also be sure to focus on the eyes of your subject, as they are the window to the soul.
Composition
The position of your subject in the frame is very important. Try using the rule of thirds, and place them off-centre in the frame. Always shoot from eye-level or a high angle, as this will be more flattering for your subject. Make the photoshoot a fun experience, engaging your subject and making them laugh. This will help you capture natural, non-forced smiles. You can also try capturing candid moments for even more natural shots.
Portraits are fun and simple to do if you just take a few minute out before you start to Photograph your subject.
1 choosing your background complement you subject.
2 Shoot out doors when you can using natural light this will cut down on using a flash A flash may be need to use as fill light on a subject if needed. Morning or late afternoon sun is the better times to shoot a subject because the light is warm and not as harsh as midday.
3 use a reflector (white or silver or gold color) Any kind of paper or cardboard that will bounce I like to use White Oak tag paper its thick and flexible I also use a piece of Display board Its is strong and it can be leaned or held as a reflector to fill in shadow on a subject.
4 Window lighting, Depending on the day window lighting can give your subject a cool kind of softness, adding shadows and simple enough natural light.
5 Shoot a low ISO (film Speed) ISO 100 or lower if you can But most digital Camera will go to 100 some may only go as low as 200. Both of these are fine they will give you most detail with out a lot of grain I like to stat with ISO 100 with F8 at 1/125 of second but that not away the case I sometime let the camera do the thinking. Most of the time faster shutter and big F stop give you a sharp Subject and blurred background, to me that cool.
6 Have fun when you take your photo and make sure your subject is having fun to the best photos I think is when your subject is relaxed so you capture natural expression and joy,,, bottom line is make them laugh.