Important Facts About Portrait Photography

The object of portrait photography is to take a picture of a person, usually with the face of the subject being the focal point, even if there are other elements within the frame of the picture. The photographer’s intention is usually to tell a story, to capture the subject in such a way that the picture will be revealing and flattering.

• Lighting is an essential part of taking a good portrait photograph. By lighting the subject appropriately, the photographer can tell a story about the subject by showing what they want to show. Lighting tells the story, the camera records it.
  
  


• Pose and expression tell a lot about the person being photographed. The photographer should think about the purpose of the picture when trying to capture a moment on film. What is the story that is being told by the subject’s facial expression and posture?
  
  


• Planning the shoot ahead of time is essential. Photographic techniques are not universal, they must be adapted to the subject and to the environment. The good photographer knows what to look for, what elements can affect a shot to make it better or worse, and uses or removes those things as needed. The good photographer also considers the purpose of the picture when deciding on composition.
  
  


• Flash is bad. Direct lighting from the flash on a camera presents a flat, unflattering blast of light. Lighting should be done using a three-point lighting system to create the most aesthetically pleasing effect. Three-point lighting can be arranged to suit the subject, whereas a flash that is in line with the lens of the camera cannot.
  
  


• Shooting portraits from a close range will cause distortion of the subject’s face. The closer the camera lense is to the subject, the greater the distortion. The best way to avoid this is to move away from the subject and to zoom in from a distance.