Take Great Photos with These Portrait Photography Tips

Canon EOS 60D DSLR

Creating portraits is one of the most exciting new hobbies a person can take on. While a person may feel overwhelmed in his or her journey to take great photos, that should not be the case. There are some easy tips a person can follow to take great photos that last for years to come. This article will discuss the tips that will help a person become a better photographer.


Canon EOS 60D DSLR

  1. Relax the Person. First, it is a great idea to relax the person who is getting a portrait done. Hold a conversation with the subject of a portrait and get them to relax. It is important that he or she does not appear uptight, or else this will show up in a photo.
  2. Infuse Personality into a Background. Study the personality of a subject, in order to pick a background that is reflective of that person. If a person is smiling and has a cheery demeanor in a photo, then a background with yellow or orange colors may look vibrant. If a person has a more serious demeanor, then a dark blue or purple may be the perfect way to capture this sort of mood.
  3. Allow for Natural Poses. It is a great idea to allow a subject to simply create his or her own pose. When a photographer tries to intervene and pose a subject, the outcome often looks forced and unnatural. It is important that a photo have a natural appeal and does not look forced.
  4. Use Appropriate Lighting. It can be a great idea to use soft lighting in a photo, to get a more elegant look. A simple windbox can be used to achieve this sort of look in a portrait. Lighting that is harsh will appear in a photograph, since the shadows of a person’s limbs or facial features will be depicted. Soft lighting merely enhances a photo, rather than create shadows.
  5. Shooting from Eye Level. When taking photos, it is important to take photos from eye level. This will allow your subjects to have the most appealing angles of their face photographed. Otherwise, taking photos from other angles can make your subjects look awkward or like they are being forced to pose. In addition, taking a photo from an upward angle is a horrible idea for trying to get a great photo of a subject.
  6. Overall, these are just 5 ways any person can instantly become a better photographer. By following the tips outlined in this article, any person is sure to take great photos.

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