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Photographing People: A How To
Portraits are a lot of fun to take, especially of your friends and family. However, you are probably looking for ways to get more creative and make your photographs look more professional. What follows are tips to take stunning portraits, steering away from the boring 'snap-shot.'
1. Generally, you do not want your subject in the middle of the frame. When you have a subject in the center, you photograph is not as interesting as it could be. By placing your subject on either side of the frame, you not only construct a more exciting photograph, but you now add context by revealing some of the background.
2. Place your subject where the sun is gently lighting their face. If your light source is behind your subject, they will end up being darker than the background and you will lose detail in their face (there are some occasions where you would want this effect). The best natural (outdoor) lighting is in the morning and afternoon, specifically before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
3. Your camera may have a "Portrait" setting, creating a blurred background because it sets a shallow depth of field, blurring the background. This feature is very useful, and it will allow the viewer to focus on the subject. If you want to create this effect manually, set your aperture below 5.6
4. Don't be afraid to get close to your subject. Zoom in; fill the frame with their face. Also, photograph your subject looking somewhere else besides the camera. Always make sure that your subject is comfortable and having fun.
5. Portraits are not just about a person's face. Experiment capturing your subject without actually photographing their face. What can you say about someone by photographing their hands, feet, possessions? Can you photograph them in their element, where they work, or where they enjoy spending their free time?
6. Get creative. Have some fun by tilting the camera, or make your subject move around. By using a tripod in low lighting, a long shutter speed will allow you to create streaks if your subject is moving.
There are no set rules, so just have fun. Your subject may have some great ideas for specific shots or locations. It is always nice to send your subject a great photo of them after the photo shoot.
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