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Portrait Photography

The process in which the likeness of a person or a small group of people is captured is called as Portrait Photography. In the photo so captured, the countenance and expression of the person (or people) is emphasized. Although, the photographer concentrates on the face of the subject, sometimes the complete body or some background may be included. While capturing the image, the subject looks directly at the camera.

Techniques of Portrait Photography

• The photographer must find tools around the subject to include the interest potential of the setting. It is essential to find things to place the subject around, under, on, in etc.
• All portraits need not be of a smile. Some portraits do not have a tinge of smile and display serious emotions and the result is that they are highly emotional
• One should use contrasting and vibrant colors so that attention is drawn to the parts of the subject. This rule should be applied to the clothing, makeup, accessories or anything else that is included in the image
• It is good technique to capture a person doing something that the person loves. It does not matter if this action is not staged. Unstaged and unposed images like Street Photography are very effective
• If movement is used to depict action, the subject may appear blurred. In such a case, the person should be treated as the actual subject but as a means of creating the subject
• When compared to in-focus subjects, out-of-focus subjects can be more interesting as they add an element of mystery to the image
• If the photographer crops some part of the subject's face, it is possible to concentrate on the parts that are remnant in the frame
• The shadow is a vital part of the image. At times the shadow can be more prominent that the subject that casts the shadow
• Water, mirrors and windows are very good reflective surfaces that produce a different texture and result. They add an extra dimension in the image
• The photographer must enclose the local culture in the photo. A culture image that is commonplace to one person is exotic to the other
• Positioning and pose are important elements in Portrait Photography. It must be kept in mind to shoot from various angles to attain varying impacts
• The subject can be placed between the photographer and a light source. Such a back-lit arrangement results in lighting up of hair. This situation can be extended to create a silhouette
• The benefit of high-key photos is that smaller defects and details are blown away and the image appears smoother. Such high-key image results in a nice soft portrait with a sort of light airy feeling
• In case of some photos (for example, wrinkles on the face of an old person) texture is a major part of the subject. The photographer must make this texture stand out and seem obvious
• The photographer should attempt some new Photoshop techniques in case he/she is adroit at post-processing and manipulations. This can be used to develop a composite image