• Camera Positioning
• Portrait Lighting Basics
• Corrective Lighting Techniques

1. Move in close. Fill the frame with your subjects smiling image. If using a wide angle lens or a point and shoot lens set at the lower wide setting, don't get too close or else the subject's nose will be exaggeratingly large. Some cameras do not focus closer than 4ft.

2. Watch the background.Move your subject away from distracting background clutter. By using a telephoto lens on an SLR with the aperture set at its largest setting, the background will go out out focus due to limited depth-of-field creating a soft backdrop for the subject to stand out from.

3. Don't over cue the subject. It's okay to give suggestions which flatter their image but let them pose themselves after awhile. Portrait photography involves more psychology than anything else. Pre visualize the expression you want and then manufacture it through subtle suggestions by way of subject interaction. For example, if you want to bring out the thoughtful nature of your grandmother, rather than saying "say cheese" ask her a question in an area of interest to her and watch as her face transforms in deep thought awaiting your shutter to capture the moment.

4. Avoid direct midday sun.Turn them away from the sun and shoot into the direction of the sunlight. Use a white reflective surface to bounce some light back into the shadowed side. This is a time tested technique used by pros when shooting models outdoors. This creates a brilliant rim light effect separating them from the background. Bear in mind that a clean lens with no filters attached avoids lens flare. Keep the sun out of the image and shield the lens from the sun by using a lens hood or your hand, just make sure NOT to include your hand in the photo. :-) Another option is to shoot in the shade of a tree or building. You'll get more natural looking expressions.

5. Use flash outdoors. This will fill in the shadows and add catch lights in their eyes. Using flash outdoors requires a shorter camera to subject distance due to the existing ambient light and lack of reflective surfaces to spread the light. Therefore make sure the subject is no further than ten feet from the camera. 5 ft for 35mm compact cameras due to their smaller built-in flash units. Use your camera's built-in balanced fill-flash if it has one.

Camera Positioning                                                                  Back to menu

Camera position in relation to the subject can greatly alter the final image. Correct camera angles can prevent distorted features or enhance or de-sentuate certain features. For a head and shoulder shot try to keep the camera at the subject's eye and nose level. Raise the camera slightly above the center of the face to elongate the nose, narrow the chin, reduce broad jaw line and broaden forehead. Lower the camera angle below the center of the face to shorten the nose, narrow the forehead or to accentuate the chin.