How to Take a Portrait
A great photographer is more than a technician, but all great portraits begin with a photographer’s mastery of equipment and technical requirements. Set yourself on the road to greatness by learning the basic components of photographic portraiture.
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Capture your subject in the best light with these photography tips that cover everything from nature and still-life photography to fashion photography.
You Will Need
- A camera
- Telephoto lens
- And a subject
- Props (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Select subject
Select a subject and ask permission to shoot a portrait.
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Step 2
Select scene
Select a scene in which to shoot the person.
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You can choose props and locations that help showcase the subject’s personality.
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Step 3
Attach telephoto lens
Attach a long telephoto lens, such as an 80- to 200-millimeter lens or greater, to your camera and set it to the widest aperture possible. This will visually set off the subject from the background.
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Step 4
Select film & shutter speeds
Select the appropriate film speed and shutter speed to accompany your low aperture setting.
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Step 5
Place subject
Place the subject in either full shade (preferable) or full sun (behind your shoulder) to minimize the shadows and contrast on their face.
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Step 6
Stand in front of subject
Stand a minimum of 10 to 15 feet in front of the subject, making sure they fill the frame.
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Step 7
Compose shot in viewfinder
Compose your shot in the viewfinder.
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Compose your subject by using the rule of thirds, where your subject is either in the left or right third, not the direct middle, for the most interesting pictures.
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Step 8
Meter on the subject
Meter on the subject.
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Step 9
Focus on subject’s eyes
Focus on the subject’s eyes.
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Step 10
Direct subject
Ask the subject to give you their most natural facial expression while maintaining direct eye contact. Suggest that they give you just a hint of a smile to make it more natural.
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Step 11
Count to three
Count to three. Then, wait a few seconds longer until your subject has relaxed completely.
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Step 12
Take your pictures
Take your pictures.
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The more frames you shoot, the more likely you are to capture the true expression of your subject.
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Step 13
Thank your subject
When the shoot is finished, be sure to thank your subject for his or her time. Shooting a portrait is a shared experience, and you want your subject to come away not only with a good portrait, but good memories as well!
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Celebrated American portrait photographer Richard Avedon once said, "There is no such thing as inaccuracy in a photograph. All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth."
