Taking portraits can be fun but if you want to get the best results you need a few pointers. Otherwise your images will end up uninteresting and jaded. Many people either snap haphazardly without any thought or take the whole process far too seriously.

Try and think about the following:

What type of portrait you want?: formal, candid, informal, close up, groups – try and plan beforehand

What pose are you looking for?: relaxed, serious, funny – having pictures taken can be nerve wracking – put your subject at ease and tell THEM what you want them to do (after discussing their own desires beforehand, if appropriate)

Consider a prop: people are more natural and relaxed when doing something with their hands – give them a flower or newspaper or something else to hold – even get them to position the item in different ways

Talk to your subject: distract them and make them feel more relaxed

What lighting do you want?: studio flash, natural light, a candle? – choose the appropriate lighting and use reflectors to remove or lessen shadows

Watch the background: make the background appropriate to your subject and get rid of all the clutter

Choose the correct lens / zoom: wide-angle lenses and telephotos will give an unnatural appearance to your model – use 90 – 130mm (35mm film equivalent)

Take lots of images: you will always get people with their eyes closed or looking different to what you intended – by taking lots of pictures you will heighten your chances of success

Know your equipment: make sure you know how to change settings on your equipment - fumbling around does NOT inspire confidence in models!

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.

• Make Art Adjustments for Whats Ahead!


• Cloudy Day Photography: Taking Advantage of Natures Diffused Lighting


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: N - Noise


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: O - Overexposure


• Creativity Using a Compact


• Get Creative With a Compact


• Always Get That Picture With A Compact Camera


• A Guide to Hand Coloring


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: I - ISO Setting


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: H - Horizon


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: J - JPEGs


• Photography A - Z the Easy Way: L - Lenses