Developing an eye for portrait photography

Portrait photography may just be the most personal form of photography. This discipline requires photographers to get up close and personal to their clients, taking them to an emotional space where they feel safe and protected, while still being vulnerable in front of the camera. A mixture of many things (emotional and physical), it’s one of the most beloved areas of the craft.

Developing a good eye for portraiture forces one to love and appreciate natural lighting. Direct sunlight can be harmful to the subject and the camera, so diffuse the light using inexpensive household items such as blinds, curtains, or sheets. According to San Diego-based photography student Janique Goff Madison, this technique is particularly effective when shooting on a budget. Refuse to use the built-in flash for portraits. Even when diffused, this type of flash gives off the same vibe as a car flashing its headlights on a cat crossing the street.

Blur the background. Invest in a good prime lens and get that bokeh effect. To blur the background effectively when using a kit lens, have the subject sit a little far from the background. Get that depth of field by squarely focusing on the subject. Strive to be creative, not technical. More often than not, photographers produce images that look generic in their quest to come off professional. Think outside the box to stand out.

Put noise out of the shot, shares Janique Goff Madison. The background plays as much an important role as the foreground. Move things around and keep the back clean to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to it.