| So what is the most popular subject in photography, | | | | provides a very sharp image, and is equivalent to a |
| people!. Nearly every photographer takes photos of | | | | 75mm lens when used on a digital camera and you |
| family and friends. The problem is that most of these | | | | can probably buy it for less than $100. |
| shots are fairly terrible. But with a little more | | | | Lighting the shot is also very important. A |
| knowledge and bit more care a much higher | | | | combination of natural light and flash can be |
| percentage of these could be very pleasing. | | | | successful, but if you can avoid using direct on |
| A good portrait photograph needs not only to be the | | | | camera flash which creates harsh shadows. It is |
| correct exposure and well focused but it needs to | | | | photographic equivalent of shining a powerful torch |
| tell us something about the person. Pay particular | | | | into someone's face. Obviously studio lights are nice |
| attention to things like skin tone and eye position. | | | | and often very expensive, I would recommend you |
| Consider the background, this could be plain or a | | | | investigate the Lightsphere which cost me $30 and |
| scene that tells us something about the subject. | | | | has given me some excellent results. One of the |
| Make sure the eyes are well focussed, when a | | | | most important skills of a good portrait photographer |
| viewer looks at a face they are usually what they | | | | has nothing to do with cameras but involves building |
| look at first. A medium aperture is helpful here, not | | | | rapport with the subject. Most people feel tense |
| too small to make the background too sharp and | | | | when a camera is pointed at them which becomes |
| confusing. Not too large as put parts of the head out | | | | obvious when looking at the resulting print. |
| of focus. | | | | A good portrait is usually the result of having a |
| The camera you use does not have to be overly | | | | relaxed subject. If you don't know the subject spend |
| sophisticated, but like most things in life you get | | | | the time to get acquainted. Discuss the shots with |
| what you pay for. A good digital SLR, like a Nikon or | | | | them during the session, show them some of results |
| a Canon, in the 6 to 12 megapixel range is more than | | | | on the camera's LCD. Flatter them and make them |
| adequate for the job. The lens is the most important, | | | | feel good about themselves. If you want a happy |
| because it is not the number of megapixels but the | | | | shot, get your subject to say "nice" just before |
| quality of those megapixels that creates a quality | | | | releasing the shutter; in my experience it gives a |
| image. In the days of film cameras the focal length | | | | much better result than the the traditional "cheese". |
| most popular with photographers for portrait | | | | Learning to take nice portraits, will make your friends |
| photography was around 80mm. Now on digital | | | | and family happy. If you get good a this area of |
| camera this is where we can save some money. The | | | | photography it can also provide you with some nice |
| standard 50mm 1.8 lens is surprisingly cheap and | | | | extra income. |