View Full Version : Any rules or guidelines to taking a good portrait picture??
Hi,
Can any of you guys out there share some tips or guidelines on how to take a good portrait picture?? like how to frame the shot, or how to "pose" the subject.
Thanks in advance
crosbyharbison
02-04-2010, 01:42 AM
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-portraits-19-portrait-photography-tutorials ("http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-portraits-19-portrait-photography-tutorials)
nice website. thanks for the link....
peety3
02-04-2010, 12:43 PM
Three things: background, background, background. You want the subject to be separated from the background in some manner, whether by light, color, depth-of-field, or who knows what. You don't want poles or other objects growing out of heads.
Depending on your target composition (head shot, head/shoulders, upper body, etc.), I'd highly recommend some environment to frame the subject. In other words, don't squish the top of the frame right onto their hair, etc.
Sheiky
02-04-2010, 02:52 PM
tip: try not to cut off any limbs [:P] For instance: A full body portret is with both hands/feet and head. I made some terrible pictures where only one feet is visble etc etc.
And jup also the tree on the background growing out of someones head can be quite distracting [H]
Just try some shots out and see if and what you like about them. Also look at other photographers photos like here on the show your best portrait thread.
Good luck and enjoy!
Sean Setters
02-04-2010, 03:34 PM
Only take pictures of beautiful people...
Sheiky
02-05-2010, 12:01 PM
Only take pictures of beautiful people...
hihi [Y]
Daniel Browning
02-06-2010, 04:21 PM
Can any of you guys out there share some tips or guidelines on how to take a good portrait picture?? like how to frame the shot, or how to "pose" the subject.
If you watch almost any recent TV show or dramatic film, you'll see they are mostly a sequence of one good portrait after another. They often start with a wide angle establishing shot, then go to closer and closer compositions, often with an ECU (extreme close up). They should give you lots of great ideas for compositions at various perspectives.
Sheiky
02-07-2010, 05:40 AM
And just copycat from other photographers. Here take a look at this thread:http://community.the-digital-picture.com/forums/t/812.aspx ("/forums/t/812.aspx)and see what you like and don't like and try to do the same.
And yes what Daniel says is true as well. Better filmmakers know how to frame and pose a shot.
Just look around and try things out. Don't live to much by the rules, they are meant to be broken. Maybe you'll create your own award winning style someday [H]
Oh and if you're wondering how your pictures turned out. Just post them here in an Image Critique thread. Most people are glad to help you out with the questions you'd still have and to give you advice.
Good luck