Portraits

Let’s experiment with the most common photographic theme, the portrait.
Historically, photographic portraits were commissioned to mark the passing of time or in celebration (weddings, appointments etc.). In a contemporary context, a portrait could be anything that represents the self, including the phenomenon known as the selfie.
Whether it’s a portrait of a loved one or a self-portrait, use your smartphone and the
techniques below to capture one’s essence.

When photographing portraits use the following tips:

Lighting
Be very aware of the lighting and how it hits the face. A standard portrait will have nice even lighting with no harsh shadows. Bright sunlight will result in “raccoon eyes” so move into the shadows or have your subject turn its back to the sun. For a more dramatic portrait, try side lighting or using a flashlight.

Background
Try to keep it simple. Play with the distance between your subject and the background. Some phones include a “portrait” mode which is great for creating a nice blurred background behind your subject. Consider texture and colour of the background.

Get Down, or Up
When shooting your portraits, position yourself at eye-level of your subject. If you are photographing a child, get down on the ground, or stand on a chair for a taller person.

Set Your Focus
Make sure you tap on your subjects face to get the sharpest focus.

To Selfie or Not to Selfie 
I say selfie all your like! Selfies are the new portraits and undeniably a visual language. I found this great video/interview with Nigel Hurst, CEO of the Saatchi Gallery in London and Curator of the 2017 exhibition “From Selfie to Self-Expression” which combines fine-art portraits with the selfie.

Formal or Candid
Do you want a formal portrait or something a bit more casual. Most people feel uncomfortable when posing for a picture. Candid portraits can be really dynamic and add a sense of a “moment caught in time” to your image. Try using the burst mood to capture that moment.

Edit your Image
Smartphones have robust editing function for images. On an iPhone, tap “Edit” on the top right corner to play with exposure, contrast, warmth, shadows etc.

Can’t wait to see your images!