Taking Portrait Photos
An important part of almost any collection of photos and the subject of many Christmas photo cards are the often-formal, official-looking portrait photographs. Portrait photos are frequently taken to mark special occasions such as graduations and weddings. There are some simple photo tips that you can follow to ensure that your portrait photography measures up to the occasion.
Be Aware of Your Background
First of all, make sure that you are using a subdued background when photographing people for portrait photos. All of the viewer's attention should be drawn to the subject of the photo, specifically the person's face. Make sure the background consists of neutral colors, and nothing too bright, loud or busy. Also, objects in motion should never appear behind the subject.
Focus on the Eyes
When you focus on a person, make sure you concentrate on their eyes. The eyes are emotional and will convey what he or she seems to be thinking or feeling.
Natural Lighting
Taking photos outdoors and using natural lighting will help you capture the most natural range of colors. Put the person in a position that allows the sunlight to hit them from the side and not head-on, as that may cause squinting and overexposure. Any unwanted shadows that appear on the face can be eliminated by using a fill-in flash. And do not position the subject so that the sun is behind them. If you are taking photos indoors, try to avoid harsh fluorescent lighting.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
With the advent of digital cameras, the cost of experimenting by taking many pictures is quite small. You can view your digital photos immediately after shooting them and if they don't meet your standards you can delete them with the click of a button. This flexibility should encourage you to take lots of digital photos while perfecting your portrait photo techniques.
When photographing portraits, simply take note of the background of the photo, use the person's eyes as an emotional focal point, take advantage of natural lighting when possible and have fun experimenting! By following these photo tips, you are sure to take flattering portrait photos of your friends and family that will become treasured parts of their photo collections.
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