Monday, July 27, 2009

Portrait Photography Basic Principles

By Wilson Chang

People have been the theme of various famous photographs from time to time. Portrait photography deals with showing a person or a group with all their unique characteristics.

A well done portrait photograph doesn't adhere to convention, and shows the person in a state of mind that makes the picture distinctive. However, more conventional family or one-person portraits are also clicked and they are popular for family albums.

A ideal close up with a clear focus on the person's face is what gives portrait images that discernible mark of elegance. This can be attained by using an option in the camera that makes the background fuzzy and blurred so as to place the face more in focus. This job of focussing the face becomes simpler with a camera having a wide aperture. Whereas, when both the individual and the background are equally significant, like an image taken with the person in a scenic landscape, then a standard aperture setting is more appropriate.

Without ample light available to shoot, photographers find it tough to click a good picture. But an impressive portrait photograph is simpler to click if certain basic rules are adhered to. If the subject is made to sit by a window in a posture in which sunlight falls only to some extent on the face, then the photograph usually ends up looking splendid. A reflective surface can be employed to light up the other side of the individual's face. However, Studio lighting can also be tuned to fit the light requirements for high quality portrait photographs, and thus a lot of photographers prefer to shoot such photographs within the confines of studios.

Another important thing that you must remember is that the more comfortable a subject is during the photography session, better the chances are of getting a perfect portrait photograph. If the subject doesn't feel comfortable while being photographed and doesn't pose naturally, then even the highest quality camera and lighting methods can not ensure a good portrait.

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