Portraiture: Photographers Tips For Better Portrait Photography

Like any other aspect of photography, a key element of good portrait photography and what makes a good portrait photographer, is an eye for detail. The photographer needs to be cognisant of the elements that will come together in the arrangement of his composition.

 Understanding that it is the detail that determines the excellence of the composition, the professional photographer will be on the lookout for a myriad of potential problems and issues that may have a detrimental impact on his composition. They will also be aware of props that can help to convey additional meaning for the viewer, helping to better describe the portraiture subject and enhance the composition. 

 It is important to remember that portraiture is generally for more formal occasions and that formal portraits are likely to attract the closest scrutiny by existing and future clients, friends and associates, employees, visitors. Therefore, taking care of the little details that may make or break a portrait is even more important.

A professional photographer is reliant on good portrait taking skills to build his reputation so missing such things as trees, lamp stands, lighting towers  TV antennae, ( the list goes on) seemingly emerging from the subjects head is unforgiveable. More subtle detail such as stains on clothing, crumpled collars, poorly tied ties will also undo good work.

I was once asked to reprint an amateur family group snap, set in beautiful parkland, onto a large canvass as a birthday present. Because of the cost involved, I felt obliged to point out to the client that the photographer had managed to compose the shot in such a way that trees appeared to be growing out of the heads of two of the group.  

In this instance, as attractive as the photograph appeared, an alternate setting without the background of trees or separation from the trees would have improved the photo composition. The moral of the story is to be aware of what external features might interfere, dominate or influence the composition.  

Sometimes the studio setting might be a better option. Shooting portraits in natural settings can be attractive but one needs to way up whether the cost justifies the means. Adding extra lighting and technical props may be more difficult and the ability to set up a portrait in the studio, even before the subject arrives for the shoot can be a better utilization of everybody’s time.

Portrait photography is much more than a head on close-up. Good photo composition requires conveyance of more information about the subject or establishing a mood for the photograph consistent with the objective of the shot.

Angle to the camera, use of props, special focus and lighting options, reduction in depth of field all assist the photographer to create mood and feel thus achieving a uniqueness about the subject to be photographed.

There are two kinds of props to consider: those that might complement the person being portrayed, say for example, a baseball player shouldering his bat, tells us more about the subject than the uniform alone that he might be wearing; technical props such as out of frame white umbrellas that are used to reflect indirect light onto a subject removing harsh shadows without blowing out the shot (over exposure). Judicious use of both kinds of props serves to enhance the image being captured.   

Portrait photography requires a different approach than shooting landscapes, for example. With portrait photography, the photographer wants to fill the image with as much of the subject as is possible.

By making the eyes the focal point of the subject, those who come to view the portrait are drawn to the eyes and a bond is formed between the subject and the viewer.

With the reduced depth of field that portraiture offers, features outside the focus point of the eyes will blur slightly, encouraging the viewer to focus on that which is in focus thus enhancing this relationship.

Most digital cameras have pre-selection portrait settings and if you are relatively new to portrait photography, it is a good idea to opt for these portraiture settings. The depth of field is generally shortened with these settings so it is necessary to ensure that descriptive props remain in focus together with subject.  

The digital camera is configured to capture more detail through the use of slower shutter speeds so be aware of this and make sure that the outcome will produce a complimentary picture of the subject.

Applying a little make up to hide skin blemishes, arranging the fall of clothing to flatter the person being photographed, adding out of frame lighting to remove shadows from the face are necessary details that can significantly enhance the portrait.   

About the Author

I\\\’ve walked this earth for the last 56 years and started taking pics as a kid on a \\\”Box Brownie\\\” before migrating to a Kodak Instamatic 110. I moved up to 35mm with a Minolta 7 Series II in 1976 and eventually made it to SLR via the Canon T70 and some decent Tamron Telephoto and wide angle lenses in 1983. I recently moved into Digital Photography and just love the instant immediacy and myriad options that the new technology brings. I specialize in Landscape Photography. Living in New Zealand (Godzone), I am blessed with many spectacular photo opportunities. These days my camera is almost always close at hand and I have been rewarded with some awesome results. I have twice been the recipient of the Editor\\\’s Choice Bronze Award from the International Library of Photography and have been involved for the last 10 years in my church video team where my responsibilities include cameraman, director, team manager. A foray onto the Internet a couple of years ago led to the establishment of my first photography website (since sold) and I have a string of similar projects in train including a photography store-front, www.photographyglobal.com  ,a photograpers home based business opportunity, www.sn.im/photowealthsystem and several articles hosted here.

Viewfinders: Portrait Photography with Sarah Small

A Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in a tree Framed Prints A Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in a tree, Kruger Park, South Africa….

Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Framed Prints Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Kruger National Park, South Africa, Africa….

Buffalo, Syncerus caffer Framed Prints Buffalo, Syncerus caffer, Kruger National park, South Africa, Africa….

Professional Portrature Series Volume 6 -New Background Techniques: 16 Creative & Exciting Backgrounds for Portraiture …

Professional Portrature Series Volume 4 -Posing the Female: the 25 Most Efective Poses for Women …

Beyond Basic Portraiture …

Smith Victor K84, 4 Light, 1000 watt Ultra Cool Photoflood Portraiture Kit $449.95 Smith-Victor’s K84 Ultra Cool Light Kit features their revolutionary design of baffles and vents for superior heat dissipation for cooler operation and easy care-free adjustments. Smith-Victor Ultra Cool Light reflectors have chemically-etched interiors for reliably smooth, clean light output and photographic black, baked-on enamel exteriors for a long lasting professional look. This kit include…

Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image (Voices That Matter) $23.98 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, YOU’LL LEARN ALL THREE ASPECTS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE STUNNING PORTRAITS(HINT: IT’S NOT JUST THE LIGHTING)Scott Kelby, the world’s #1 best-selling author of photography books, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and Publisher of the just-released Light It magazine, has reinvented how lighting books are written by finally reveali…

Chicks with Guns $29.70 In Chicks with Guns, Lindsay McCrum has created a cultural portrait of women gun owners in America through photographs that are both beautiful and in a sense unexpected. The book examines issues of self-image and gender through the visual conventions of portraiture and fashion, but the guns are presented here not as superimposed props but as the very personal lifestyle accessories of the subjects …

Your Baby in Pictures: The New Parents’ Guide to Photographing Your Baby’s First Year $12.03 Capture the story of your baby’s first year! The first twelve months of your child’s life are full of precious, fleeting moments, from sleepy newborn yawns to first smiles and wobbly first steps. Why entrust your memories to hastily taken snapshots—or worse yet, none at all? Let professional photographer (and mom) Me Ra Koh help you capture the moments with 40 beautiful “…

Digital Photography for Children`s and Family Portraiture $22.84 As quality digital photos become more achievable by parents and amateurs, this guide aims to help professional photographers reclaim the family demographic by outlining how to create highly artistic, technically masterful portraits and truly one-o…

The Art of Children`s Portrait Photography (Paperback) $21.62 Contemporary photographs that cleverly capture a child’s mood or personality—whether that’s a big, toothy grin or a teary tantrum—are easily created with the tips and techniques explored in th…

Boutique Baby Photography (Paperback) $22.72 Acknowledging that there is much more to building a successful photography business than taking great pictures, this manual shows how to build and run a thriving boutique baby photography studio. All aspec…

The Portrait Photography Course (Paperback) $22.35 The ability to create an effective portrait is probably the single most important skill any aspiring photographer must master. Few professional photographers, whatever their area of specialization, can hope to have a successful career without ever bein…

Fashion Flair for Portrait and Wedding Photography (Paperback) $21.23 Description not available.

The Age of Silver (Hardcover) $27.76 John Loengard`s The Age of Silver is a tribute to the last great generation of photographers working with negative film, a medium now nearly as antique as the engravings and photogravures of earlier eras. Loengard began photographin…

Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait (Paperback) $19.67 The secrets of great portraits are shared with photographers at every level in this resource that includes sections on cameras, illumination, film and digital, lighting set-ups, creativity and conceptualization, connecting with the subject, and having …

500 Poses for Photographing Men (Paperback) $22.84 Description not available.

Studio Portrait Photography of Children and Babies $22.42 From learning how to set up the perfect light for infants to understanding posing techniques for adorable images, this guide to shooting children’s portraits is an indispensable resource for photographers. Thorough s…

Annie Leibovitz at Work (Hardcover) $24.56 The most celebrated photographer of our time discusses portraiture, reportage, fashion photography, lighting, and digital cameras.