The portrait is a photographic technique that focuses attention on the subject’s face. At first glance, it would seem to be a reasonably simple photograph to make, but in reality, it hides many pitfalls. Here are some useful tips to make it better.
Handle the light well
Among the classic problems of portrait photos, there are the annoying shadows on the face and the small skin defects accentuated by the intense direct sun. To overcome this, it is necessary to use a diffused light, so that it goes to illuminate the face correctly, without highlighting the small imperfections. To do this, it is advisable to use reflective panels, classic studio umbrellas or diffusers for a flashlight. Still, of course, there are also “do it yourself” methods, such as using the (white!) home curtain to obtain a soft effect on the light that enters the window.
Beware of the expression of the subject
A fundamental element of portrait photography is the expression of the item. In this case, the photographer’s job is said to be to capture the most natural aspect possible. And it is so, although there are due exceptions. In general, a common technique is to dialogue with the subject. Try never to leave him alone, in silence, in front of the lens; instead try to ask him information about him, about his work to joke with him to get a smile as natural as possible. Especially with children, this type of approach is essential.
Hair
The hair is an often-overlooked detail. First of all, we should be careful to illuminate them correctly, perhaps with a light placed behind the subject, to make them brighter. But the fundamental thing, to which you must pay close attention, is the hair on the face. We often notice this only in the post-production phase, that is, late! Yes, I know, everything is done with Photoshop. But let’s say we made a shooting of which you have obtained about 50 photos. Now go and see them and find 20 where the subject is perfect, if not for the fact that he has a hair in front of an eye or nose. You can click on this link to learn more https://skylum.com/blog/how-to-use-macs-built-in-image-editor.
