| Whether you're a professional photography or an | | | | add interest. What are they looking at? What's |
| amateur like me one of the most difficult shots to | | | | making them laugh? What are they so intently |
| take is a portrait. Shooting a portrait that captures | | | | interested in? Is it a thing or a person? Another idea |
| the subject's personality is really an art. Some of the | | | | to try is having your subject focus on something in |
| best ones I've ever seen are portraits that break the | | | | the frame with them. A book, a pet, a child. |
| rule and step out of the box, not for the shock or | | | | Something to interact with and create interest and a |
| "odd" value but for the change of perspective that | | | | story. |
| can often really portray your subject in a different | | | | Break the Rules |
| light that let's their individuality show. Here are some | | | | The rule of thirds in composition was established |
| portrait photography tips and tricks I've used in the | | | | because it is pleasing to the eye. Use that rule more |
| past to take great portraits. I hope they'll fire up | | | | as a guideline or break it entirely by framing your |
| your own imagination. | | | | subject to one side and you will have a totally |
| Alter Your Perspective | | | | different picture. |
| Most portraits are taken at eye level of the subject. | | | | Change Things Up |
| Try for a different height and change things around. | | | | We all have preconceptions of a photographic |
| Shoot down on your subject from above or lay | | | | portrait. Posed in a static environment that we are |
| down on the floor and shoot up and see what | | | | familiar with. Change things up and get your subject |
| happens. | | | | moving or doing something a bit outside their normal |
| Eye Contact | | | | comfort zone. Stand on one foot, jump up and |
| The eyes really influence the feel of a portrait. A | | | | down, stand on a chair, play with a hat. Sounds silly, |
| subject looking directly into the camera lens has a | | | | but your subject will laugh and move in a different |
| much different feel than one who is focused on | | | | way and you may get some out of the ordinary |
| something outside of the camera frame. Have your | | | | shots. |
| subject focus on something outside the frame to | | | | |