Perfect portraits: 7 professional hacks for passionate photographers

Photography form with many faces. Every artist may be attracted to a certain way of photography. Regardless of whether he photographs landscapes, holds the world around him in a journalistic style or works with people - every photographer leaves a lasting impression with his pictures.

Portrait photography is often regarded as the most demanding field. Working with people ensures that every recording and every photo are different. Getting out the right emotions and capturing these fleeting moments is an art in itself.

If you are just getting into portrait photography, you have a profitable learning experience. Here are seven tips for portrait photography that you should know if you explore this form of artistic expression.

Retouching - remove impurities

Since portraits are concerned with being close and personal, a flaw or a hair that is out can be distracted. If you immerse yourself in the art of portrait photography, take some time to first practice yourself. Learn how to remove stray hair from selfies and how to lighten teeth without being unnatural.

In the following portrait photography tutorial, portrait photographer Milou PD (YouTube Channel: @Miloupd) 8 important basics for good portrait photos :

 

As soon as you have familiarized yourself with the basics, work with others to expand image editing skills

Do not put yourself under pressure if you try to master Photoshop Instead, you can acquire all the necessary skills with a free portrait editing program . Just make sure that the software you have chosen offers basic functions such as color correction and sharpening as well as advanced retouching tools for changing the skin tone, removing skin blemishes, optimizing body shape and other adjustments.

Processing portraits is a demanding task, because they want to show the photographed in the best light, but do not change it completely. Your efforts should never blur the personality and characteristic features of the person depicted.

Elimination of noise and image errors

If you have been taking pictures for a while, you have probably heard the term "noise" or "image noise" . In this context, noise in a photo refers to everything that reduces the quality of your image. Rauschen can show up in the form of granular textures or shadows, as can in undesirable objects in the background (e.g. in a bag with garbage on the curb). And if you want to use another collective term, just call it all "image defects" .

Avoiding or removing errors in a photo is a two -stage process that takes place before and after the recording. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to choose a fairly good background - although it is an important goal when choosing the place of recording.

 

It is important to understand that both concepts ("noise" and "image defects") are subjective. Your own threshold for acceptable noise or acceptable number of image errors can deviate from that of another photographer. A beginner who takes photos as a hobby will probably have a completely different threshold than an experienced professional. Remember that there is always room for improvements and that every recording is an opportunity to learn.

Here are the most important things you should learn when you try to avoid or eliminate errors in a portrait.

Camera settings: Avoid poor quality

The first consideration in avoiding noise in a photo is to learn the basics of photography and understand how to observe your surroundings. This means that you have to learn how to adapt your camera and lens settings to the lighting conditions, movements, etc.

One of the main causes of image noise is the use of a high ISO value in poor lighting conditions. A higher ISO value brightens the recording and enables you to grasp details in the shadow, but it also increases the grain. The increase in the ISO value should only be the last way out; First try to change the shutter speed or the aperture.

Camera Settings for portraits (aperture, ISO and shutter speed), video tutorial by Julia × Gil (@juliaandgil)

 

Sensor size also affects image noise, which poses a significant challenge for mobile photographers using smartphones and small Terms & Conditions camera) is noise reduction at high ISO values.

sensor's pixel density also plays a role. The higher the pixel density, the more susceptible the camera is. In addition, long exposure times and shadows also contribute to noise, especially with a higher ISO value. The noise may not be shown in the light blue sky behind her motif, but even in the dark shadow under the chin of the person you photograph.

Do these considerations mean that you need the best possible camera to get started or that you should never photograph with a high ISO value? Not at all! It is about finding the golden middle ground and learning more about your camera and composition.

Reflections on the background

If you select a place for your portrait photography, the background plays a crucial role in the end result. When choosing the background for your portrait photography, you can take two opposite ways. You can either choose a background that does not attract attention, or you can choose something that gives the photo a dimension.

Here, too, there is no right or wrong answer when choosing the background. The goal is to choose something that contributes to the image, but does not distract from the main motif. Make sure that everything that can be seen in the background also belongs there. If you cannot avoid another person or a lamppost when recording, there are tools to remove them during processing.

The correct handling of your model

The ability to take a good photo is one thing, but the ability to guide your model is completely different. Some of their subjects feel very comfortable in front of the camera lens, while others behave awkward and stiff. In any case, it is up to you to guide you so that you can record the perfect portrait.

Trust as a key to successful photos

Before the photo shoot, start building a relationship with your interlocutors. Depending on how you proceed, you can meet the people before shooting to get to know each other, or you can have a short conversation on the same day shortly before the recordings. The more your counterpart feels with you, the better the photos.

Fish your small talk skills, find a common denominator and become a friend of the person who photographs you.

Help with the poses

If you work with inexperienced models, you should help you a little. Show them where to look, how to tend their chin and what to do with their hands. Do not hesitate to use props to help you relax - sometimes keeping an object can reduce uncertainty in handing and contribute to relaxation.

Even experienced models need help with posing. Do not hesitate to make suggestions where you should stand, what you should hold, etc. to ensure that you take up what you really need.

Posing tips for business portraits, by Boris Baldinger ( @borisbaldinger)

Photographing undisturbed portrait poses, tutorial from the MT Foto Journal (@MTTFOTOJournal)

In this video, the MT Foto Journal team demonstrates how the photographers let the model act in casual poses during the portrait photo shoot. An authentic, lively charisma is not achieved through stiff posing, but by a relaxed interaction with the model.

Capture of emotions

Perhaps the biggest challenge in portrait photography is to capture real emotions. Exaggerated or awkward shots look artificial and wrong.

Present your models a scenario to control the process. Ask them z. B. to close your eyes and remember what you have ever seen and then open them at three. Ask them to look into the distance and to think of a serious problem that concerns them so that they take a more serious facial expression.

Right distance and zoom

Finding the right distance and the right zoom is another ability that you will learn over time. Portrait photography is about filling out the frame, regardless of whether you do an upper body or concentrate on your face.

Choice of the right lens

The choice of the right lens is crucial if you deal with portrait photography. The following also applies here: If you don't have a good lens, this is no reason to wait with the start of photography. You can even learn a lot about the image composition with an entry -level camera.

There are several excellent portrait lenses for all camera brands. Which you choose depends on your camera. When choosing a lens, consider a fixed focal length lens for your portraits and take into account the sensor size.

The choice of the lens for your portrait is less a question of "right" or "wrong", emphasizes the experienced portrait photographer Christian Anderl . You have the option of working with a focal length of 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, but also with 35mm or even 24mm. It is crucial that you are aware of why you select this lens and what expression you want to achieve with it.

 

Christian Anderl is a photographer, filmmaker and the initiator of Shootcamp.at . As a former Canon ambassador, radio presenter, technical draftsman in the construction and hotel diploma merchant ... he belongs to generation X (never call it boomer) and has gained more experience than he would like. On his YouTube channel @Christianander, he shares his perspectives on photography, creativity and life.

Lighting as a priority

It is the lighting that decides whether a photo is good or great. A stray shadow or strong sunlight can have a negative impact on the image composition.

Facing the light

When taking a portrait, it is ideal to position your model with your face to the light source. In this way, shadows are removed from the side or from above and the facial features are better captured.

Of course, when it comes to recordings outdoors, it is not always possible to put the motif directly in the light. Invest for the beginning in reflectors or a simple ring light. These are budget -friendly options with which you can refine your craft until you are willing to spend more money on your lighting.

Optimal light for portraits

Natural daylight is ideal for portrait photography. Various days offer the advantage of neutral and even light distribution, which is why they are also their best friends.

If you are in a room where you do not have a lighting system, you should try to stand on a window and use a white cloth as a temporary diffuser.

The eye trick for strong expression

With a simple trick, you will be able to make side portraits on the side. Regardless of whether you work with window light or operate portrait photography . How this simple eye trick works and other practical tips for taking pictures tells you the professional photographer Stephan Wiesner in his YouTube channel @STEPHISENER :

 

Landscape photography and portraits in the photo studio are the specialty of the photographer from Lower Saxony.

Learn the rules ... to break them then

If you learn the science of photography, you will find that there is an overwhelming number of rules. Learning these skills and rules will probably feel like a job that takes you the joy of photography. However, it is important to learn these rules so that you can break them later.

A good basis for portrait photography gives you freedom to develop and experiment to develop your own style. Once you have understood the subtleties of the lighting, you can break the rules and play with shadows on the face. If you know how to set the ISO value, you can consciously exceed the boundaries to create a real work of art.

With these six tips for portrait photography you can set out to become a good portrait photographer and artist. If you practice your skills, get creative, go beyond your limits and be open to constant learning and improving.