Order a Person
In the portrait, you're dealing with small displacements and changes of position and angle. Try to shoot slightly above the person to make the eyes more open. Lower the nearest shoulder to the camera, getting his head straight or at an angle binding. Lower the chin a little.
Pick The Best Side of The Person
People really have one. Get one shoulder turned toward the camera so one side is a little favor. Try installing the other way and figure out which is best.
Dress Your Subject if Possible
If this is a semi-official portrait you can have a say in the clothes. Solids, dark or light work best. Checks Stripes, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer. Bright colors can overwhelm the skin tones. A VEE or round neck is preferable to a round collar. For a man or a woman older, cover the shoulders for a young woman to leave bare.
Try to Use Available Light Effectively
The position of the person where the light is soft, mainly from one direction. This can give a sense of humor and usually gets more attention to the eyes. You can use a reflector on the shady side of "bounce the light" if the contrast between light and shadow is too strong. You can make a simple reflector using aluminum foil on a sheet of cardboard.
Tell The Person to Sit
It helps them relax and helps you be able to direct them more easily.
Some People Feel Better When They Smile and Not Others
You can get more interesting expressions and nuances without a smile. Tell the person to think of something they enjoy doing. This will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and changes in the lines of the mouth.
Vertical Component
Turn the camera on the side. A portrait usually includes the head and chest and sometimes the hands. These work best in a vertical format. Horizontal framing leaves you with open spaces on either side of the subject which can affect the feel of the shot.
If Hands are On The Ball, Look at Them Carefully
Hands can look ugly or awkward. A slightly closed fist is generally neutral. Let rest a hand on one knee or in the tower and see what you have. Crop them later if they do not work. If you are taking portraits candid advice worth but in these shots you have to move to get the best angle.
Pick The Best Side of The Person
People really have one. Get one shoulder turned toward the camera so one side is a little favor. Try installing the other way and figure out which is best.
Dress Your Subject if Possible
If this is a semi-official portrait you can have a say in the clothes. Solids, dark or light work best. Checks Stripes, swirls, and patterns confuse the viewer. Bright colors can overwhelm the skin tones. A VEE or round neck is preferable to a round collar. For a man or a woman older, cover the shoulders for a young woman to leave bare.
Try to Use Available Light Effectively
The position of the person where the light is soft, mainly from one direction. This can give a sense of humor and usually gets more attention to the eyes. You can use a reflector on the shady side of "bounce the light" if the contrast between light and shadow is too strong. You can make a simple reflector using aluminum foil on a sheet of cardboard.
Tell The Person to Sit
It helps them relax and helps you be able to direct them more easily.
Some People Feel Better When They Smile and Not Others
You can get more interesting expressions and nuances without a smile. Tell the person to think of something they enjoy doing. This will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and changes in the lines of the mouth.
Vertical Component
Turn the camera on the side. A portrait usually includes the head and chest and sometimes the hands. These work best in a vertical format. Horizontal framing leaves you with open spaces on either side of the subject which can affect the feel of the shot.
If Hands are On The Ball, Look at Them Carefully
Hands can look ugly or awkward. A slightly closed fist is generally neutral. Let rest a hand on one knee or in the tower and see what you have. Crop them later if they do not work. If you are taking portraits candid advice worth but in these shots you have to move to get the best angle.
