Capturing Portraits

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Capturing Portraits
Reanne Mandy Jeremy Cailee Meranda
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There are two elements for portrait photography
Controlled Background
A photographer wants to focus attention on the
subject and avoid distracting elements in the
frame.
If there is no way to control the background, the
standard way to cheat is to use a long fast lens
(eg. 300/2.8)
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Plain Background
A plain background shows off the subject that is
being photographed. When looking through the
camera viewfinder, a photographer forces
themselves to study the area surrounding the
subject.
Make sure that there are no poles sticking out
behind the head
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Controlled Lighting
Having lights on stands or hanging from the
ceiling, the photographer gets to pick the angle
at which light will strike the subject.
If the subject is outdoors, an overcast day is
best
If it is sunny, its best to use a reflector or
electronic flash to fill shadows under the eyes
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High Front Light
This is often the best type of light
Pros

• Most of the scene is well lit.
• Bright sunny days bring out the colors of the
  scene.

Cons

• Sunlight may cause the subject to squint.
• Very high sunlight will create deep shadows under
  eyes and chins, unless a fill flash is used.

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Front Light
Front light illuminates the portion of the
subject facing the photographer
Pros

• Provides the most information to the camera by
  lighting the entire scene.
• Easiest type of light to deal with
  photographically because there are fewer shadows
  to confuse the cameras light meter.

Cons

• This type can be a bit boring-pictures lack
  volume and depth.
• Textures and details are minimized. The scenes
  appear flat with few shadows.
• Flash pictures may result in very bright subject
  and very dark backgrounds.

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Side Light
Perfect for emphasizing texture, dimension,
shapes or patterns
Pros

• Can separate subject from the background.
• Conveys depth (landscape at sunset)
• Conveys texture (weathered tree, fence etc.)

Cons

• May be too severe for some subjects, creating
  some areas that are too bright and some that are
  too dark.

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Back Light
Light from the back can make a dramatic effect
Pros

• Simplifies a complicated scene by emphasizing the
  subject (as in a silhouette)
• Provides a flattering halo of light in portraits.
• Adds strong shadows in landscapes.

Cons

• Lack of detail in dark subject.
• Causes lens flare resulting in low contrast and
  strange light spots
• across the picture.

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Mood
Match the Mood of Image to the Lighting
High Key Happy Low Key Dramatic
Red- winner, intense, impulsive, active, daring
and passionate.
Blue- the color of tranquility and peace.
Although cool and confident, blues can be
vulnerable. Blues have a high sense of
responsibility.
Green- stable and balanced. Green gives a sense
of kind and gracious.
Black- represents conflicting attitudes.
Conventional, conservative and serious or worldly
or sophisticated
Pink- charming and warm. Not overly aggressive.
And romantic.
Color Mixes- creative, open.
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Things to Watch for
- pay close attention to details that may
distract from the image you are trying to create
- watch for stray hairs either sticking out or
falling into your subjects face
- watch for any tags from clothes or clasps on
jewelry that are showing
- make sure the subject doesnt squint or slouch
their back
- keep an eye out for any minor details that may
pop up while shooting that could take away from
what is trying to be created
- particular attention should be focused on the
subjects eyes eyes should be in sharp focus