A Few Of My Favorite Tips
1. Play with Eye Contact
It is amazing how much the direction of your subject’s eyes can impact an image. Most portraits have the subject looking down the sense – something that can create a real sense of connection between a subject and those viewing the image. But there are a couple of other things to try:
A. Looking off camera – have your subject focus their attention on something unseen and outside the field of view of your camera. This can create a feeling of candidness and also create a little intrigue and interest as the viewer of the shot wonders what they are looking at. This intrigue is particularly drawn about when the subject is showing some kind of emotion (ie ‘what’s making them laugh?’ or ‘what is making them look surprised?’). Just be aware that when you have a subject looking out of frame that you can also draw the eye of the viewer of the shot to the edge of the image also – taking them away from the point of interest in your shot – the subject
B. Looking within the frame – alternatively you could have your subject looking at something (or someone) within the frame. A child looking at a ball, a woman looking at her new baby, a man looking hungrily at a big plate of pasta…. When you give your subject something to look at that is inside the frame you create a second point of interest and a relationship between it and your primary subject. It also helps create ‘story’ within the image.
2. Experiment with Lighting
Another element of randomness that you can introduce to your portraits is the way that you light them. There are almost unlimited possibilities when it comes to using light in portraits.
Side-lighting can create mood, backlighting and silhouetting your subject to hide their features can be powerful.
Using techniques like slow synch flash can create an impressive wow factor.
Environmental Portraits
I really like how you can see her emotion in this photo. Like by looking at this photo I think she is about to do an audition or a performance and she is nervous. I picked this photo because I love her pose and emotion in the picture.
I like this photo because the picture is overall very clear and bright. Also, her pose makes you curious about what is going on in that moment. I chose this picture because I like how bright and clear it is.
Self Portraits
I really like the emotion that is shown in this photo, it is very mysterious and suspenseful. I picked this photo because i think the fact that it is half underwater makes this photo very appealing.
I like this photo because, while most self portraits are just smiling or happiness, we don't see as many pictures about other emotions. It really opens my eyes and shows that my photos don't have to revolve around happiness. I think a lot of people think their photo has to be happy or colorful when they think of self portraits, but sadness and anger in a photo can also be very appealing and makes you want to know more about the picture. I chose this picture because I like the black and white approach on it, it really adds to the emotion shown in the photo.
Casual Photos
I like this photo because it is a very simple picture, but is still appealing and eye catching. It shows natural beauty where she doesn't really have to pose or dress up for a picture. I chose this photo because I like the setting and the lighting in this picture.
I like this photo because it looks very casual. Unlike a lot of the photos that came up when i searched for casual pictures, this girl is in a normal everyday area. She isn't dressed up or posing in a sophisticated area, she is just normal, I think this is very realistic. I chose this photo because the setting gives a very comfortable feeling.
My Portrait Assignment
Im not sure what I will do for my portrait assignment yet, but I want to play with lighting in my photos. i will take pictures of my friends and myself. I will shoot in my house, and in the forest I live next to. To make my picture successful I will use different angles / viewpoints.
