Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality of a person or a group. It conveys a message,mood and attitude of the subject you focus on. Moreover, it is not as simple as taking random clicks or selfies. It has quite more to do and a lot more to culture. Portrait photography is not only confined to one’s own hobby but also a great source of royalty free images and abstract stock images.
Further, if you are a beginner and serious about portraits, the following essential tips will help you start a perfect portrait session.
1. Know your Essentials:
Irrespective of whether it is a normal or portrait photography, it is essential to know your camera and the lighting equipment. While shooting a portrait, you should focus on the subject and not be distracted by any other issues.
Most importantly, you must know how to set up your camera, lighting arrangements again and again. Moreover, you may face difficulties setting up the kit on an uneven surface to get a perfect shot. Therefore, it is practice that makes it your habit for a perfect portrait photograph.
2. Get Fully Involved With The Subject:
If you keenly observe a portrait session ,you will find a real collaboration between the photographer and the subject. More to say, this is one of the important qualities you must include in every aspect of your portrait season.
Analyze what you are trying to achieve and how you plan to do it. You will get far better results if you get fully involved with the subject.
3. Understand the context:
Consider what you are taking as a portrait and it is going to be used. That is to say, what is the purpose of a portrait session.
Particularly, this approach is helpful for a proper planning and execution of the shoot. Moreover, it gives you the purpose and a meaningful end result.
4. Imagine an Atmosphere:
Think about the atmosphere you want to create with the portrait photography. Moreover, such forefront visualization helps you create a number of elements that enhances and manipulates your portrait to give a real-world atmosphere.
Technically, you should closely deal with lighting conditions, composition , background, tone and color. Moreover, it strongly affects how someone observes and feels about an image.
5. Lighting:
Lighting is divided into two distinct categories. They are hard light and soft light. Both the types of light have a substantially different effect on the portrait. You can easily create such effects with the help of softbox, reflectors and the direct sources of light.
Moreover, experiments with different combinations of light forms helps you achieve a perfect lighting condition for a portrait.
6. Experiments with Composition:
Good composition is the ultimate way to achieve a good portrait. And, that composition is achieved by shooting at different angles. You must experiment beforehand to achieve the right composition.
Moreover, other aspects of composition are close-up shots, full length, above or below positioning, etc. Most importantly, your subject should not be too rigid during a portrait session. Put them at ease and allow them to be comfortable.
7. Avoiding Background Distractions is a Must:
Background determines the major subject of your photography. It may be nature, city life, home or professional one. You must avoid distracting backgrounds that are out of the subject of your portrait. Just throw them out using a small depth of field.
Consider using a plain and neutral background that focuses on your subject, not the backdrop.
Final Words:
To summarize, take the time to decide the subject, practice with camera and lighting setup, experiment with the composition and choosing a decent background is adequate to start a portrait photography.
