Tips for Beautiful Portrait Photography Part One

Part One Technical Stuff

This is probably the most common form of photography in that everyone would like to take better portraits of family and friends but it can be the most challenging form of photography.
Not only do you need to know the basics of photography but you need to be very good at knowing how to make people look good. Most of us are not models but in the hands of an expert photography we can all look wonderful. I can’t make you an expert photographer but I can pass along some tips to help you improve your portrait photography.

1. Natural light. I’ve mentioned this dozens of times and I’m not going to stop. Don’t use flash! Few of us look good the in bright light of a flash. It’s fine for snap shots but not what you want for a good portrait. Soft lighting, diffuse and indirect is best. Sunset or sunrise light is magical. The wonderful orange gold glow improves skin tone and color saturation.

2. Simple backgrounds. Find a back drop of a neutral color or blur the background. You don’t want the woods behind your subject to fight for attention but you may want the deep green of the trees.

3. Slower film speed, i.e. 100 or 200 speed, so that you get great detail and excellent color saturation.

4. Use a reflector card, i.e. a white piece of paper. If you’re shooting in indirect light this may not be needed but if you’re using sunset or sunrise light you may need to do this. Use a stiff bright white piece of paper to reflect light into the darkest shadows of the subjects face. You can also bounce light into their eyes to add that little bit of sparkle. You’ll be amazed at the difference. Try photos with and without.

5. Shoot a lot of film. Well not a lot but don’t think that you’re going to capture that ideal pose in five or six shots. Use an entire roll for one person. Ever notice how even portrait photographers will shoot three to six rolls of film. People move a lot, blink when you least expect it, or sometimes just need time to relax. So expect to use a good bit of film

There now you have some basic technical tips for good portrait photography but that’s only half the story.

If you have any questions please email me at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/contactkelly.htm

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal
Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.