Portraits used to be painted. Eminent personalities and distinguished figures used to sit for hours or even days for getting their portraits painted. Camera and photography have reduced the time taken to get a portrait of yourself from days to mere seconds. Portrait photographs, or portraitures as they are also known, are technically speaking, the capture of a person or a small group of people. The face and the expressions should be the predominant features of a portrait photograph and generally the person (or the group) would be facing the camera. A good portrait is described as a picture with a quality image that captures both the physical features and character of the subject. Taking good portraits is very challenging because a photographer needs a subject with an upbeat personality that also reflects sensitivity and liveliness.

Tips for a Picture Perfect Portrait

  • Reveal the character of your subject – A good portrait must capture at least one element that s shows the traits and features of the subject’s individuality. The image must reveal an important part of the subject’s character that can be identifiable by those who know them.
  • The right timing for taking a picture – A photo shoot should start when the subject is comfortable and at ease with his or her appearance and surroundings. Never start the photo shoot when your subject is not ready or is uncomfortable because it will definitely show in the picture.
  • Preparedness of the photographer – It is important for your subject to feel that the person behind the camera knows what he/she is doing and experienced enough to bring out the best in every pose that his/her subject.  The person behind the camera should be relaxed and prepared during the photo shoot of his/her subject. This tip will allow the photographer to yield great looking photos that seperate you from the amateurs.
  • Right kind of lighting – One of the best lighting that can be used for capturing the personality of the subject is natural daylight.  Having the subject sit near a window can also produce great looking effects. The only disadvantage of natural light is that it’s not always consistent; and may require you to utilize artificial light.
  • Appropriate background – Having a bad background can destroy the beauty of a portrait or photo. Pay close attention to the scenery behind the subject when framing shots. Try reducing the elements of a distracting background by using long lenses or an expansive aperture. When taking indoor shots, use black or grey cloth for the background, add colored transparent plastics over the flashes to modify color.
  • Use costumes and props – Good costumes can make the portrait more interesting and valuable. Props can establish the natural pose and mood of your subject. Props should be used properly and carefully and should not distract the main subject of the photograph.
  • Framing – Framing can create the image that you desire to capture in every photograph that you take. It is recommended that photos be cropped before shooting. They should be checked a few seconds before clicking the shutter and exclude the images that are not needed from the shot.

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