Natural light is great for portaits.
Taking great photos of our friends and family is important to all of us. With digital photography, it's relatively easily for you to practice your skills on a regular basis at low cost. There's no time like today to gather your favorite subjects and turn them into models. Before you know it, you'll be shooting like a professional and eager to share your work.
Instructions
Start shooting
1. Ask your nearest friend or family member for an hour of their time to model for you. You will find that most people will jump at the opportunity. It's good to start with a short time slot like this, so that neither of you will get bored or frustrated.
2. Look for unusual perspectives.
Go outside and find the sunlight source. Natural light makes it a breeze to lend a professional look to your photos. Not only is it lovely, but it's plentiful and free. The most optimal time of day is at dawn and dusk, as the lighting is soft yet dramatic. Be sure your camera and battery are fully charged and your memory card is ready to go.
3. Catching model offguard makes an interesting shot.
Locate an interesting backdrop for your model. Keep it simple and relatively free of details. An unobstructed wall, large tree or tall hedge are great. Avoid any areas where moving cars or passers-by could distract you.
4. Position your camera with the sun behind you. Never take photos with the sun in front of the camera, as it will cause a glare in the lens, rendering the subject virtually useless. On the flip side, ensure the sun isn't beaming directly into your model's eyes, causing her to squint.
5. Look for patterns.
Ask your model to stand in a natural pose, with her weight shifting naturally to one side of her body. Her legs should be slightly bent and spread apart, shoulders somewhat slouched, and chin lifted up a bit. If your subject is standing in front of a wall or tree trunk, have her lean against it as though they are relaxing. The look you are going for is asymmetrical and natural. Never take a photo of a subject dead-on or perfectly centered, as it is not only awkward, but boring. Take a variety of photos from the waist up as well as full body. Try for a fabulous head-shot, which should be tastefully cropped from just below the shoulders to right above the hairline.
6. Hats are a great prop for men and women.
Hand the model her prop. Flowers are great for a female subject, and a hat is universal for men and women. Have the model change her poses to reflect her reaction to the prop. Simultaneously check your viewfinder as well as the model directly to make sure the prop isn't covering her face or getting out of frame. The best cropping is as close to the body as possible, and slightly off-center. This way, the viewer gets a slight taste of the model's surroundings, yet is focused more on the model.
7. Set up the chair and pose your model in the following unisex positions. With model sitting on the very front edge of the chair, direct her to have one knee bent forward with both hands on it, while the other leg is spread out to the side as though they are stretching in a relaxed manner. Another pose for men and women is to place the chair sideways, have your model straddle the chair with their rear as far back as possible on the seat. Her back should be slightly arched, arms folded at the top of the chair with head resting on the top hand, while looking relaxed at the camera.
8. Thank your model for her time. Prepare a personal portfolio as a reward. Share your portfolio with other family and friends. Their reactions may help you on future shoots.
