Tips for portrait photography?

DRZ

DRZ

Soldato
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2 Jun 2003
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As title really - I havnt ever really turned my hand to portraiture before but I really would like to be able to take some nice shots of family and friends.

Unfortunately, I seem to have some sort of mental block when it comes to a proper shoot - I cant get "into" it like I can with other shots.

I can take candids of people, thats no bother!

pete.jpg


Thats probably the 'best' "portrait" style shot I have taken. Maybe a shot of my cat, but that doesnt really count.

I see people here posting amazing portrait shots and its something I just cant seem to manage - how do you do it?
 
Soldato
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18 Oct 2002
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A quick tip is to look at other portrait photos and try and reproduce them. I also remember some stuff from a magazine. Always have the camera either at eye height or just below looking up. Looking up gives a great sense of presence. The best thing is to keep a look out for Practical Photography. I think they usually do a section on portraits.
 
Associate
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19 Oct 2002
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550
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Penryn
photo.net is great for portraits (as you've probably seen from my irc spamming), and iirc has a guide on portraiture. General reccomendations are a focal length of 85mm-135mm, and wide open, but they're not set in stone.

One vital thing, make sure the subjects eyes are in sharp focus, as it can ruin what would be a great shot having them slightly off and the tip of their nose razor sharp.
 
Associate
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10 Aug 2005
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Cambridge, UK
I've been trying to practice portraits too. I can never get enough light indoors. (I don't really want to shell out on a flash)
Outdoors I seem to always get lumpy backgrounds.

Magazine portraits don't tend to have such problems, because they are often done in a studio with fancy lighting. Any suggestions?
 
Soldato
Joined
1 Mar 2003
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5,508
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Cotham, Bristol
cyKey said:
A quick tip is to look at other portrait photos and try and reproduce them. I also remember some stuff from a magazine. Always have the camera either at eye height or just below looking up. Looking up gives a great sense of presence. The best thing is to keep a look out for Practical Photography. I think they usually do a section on portraits.

Do you ever take that beany hat off? ;)
 
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