Taking a good portrait is more than capturing a face. A good photographer will spend time considering lighting, background, pose and expression. Here is a short overview of how you can start to take photographs which rival the experts.
The most important element of a portrait is the subject's expression; that's what sells photographs! As a photographer it's your job to capture a genuine expression which unveils a true personality. Find out what makes them tick; is it sailing on the weekend or a new love interest? Place an idea in their head, it will show in their eyes.
Lighting can often be made more complicated than it need be, there's no need to study those lengthy text books from front to back! There is no need for elaborate studio set ups. All you need is two lights; 1) a main light set at 8F to which the subject will sit with their back to, at 45 degrees; 2) a fill light set at 5.6F which should be placed behind the camera, slightly to one side, and will lessen the shadows cast on the subjects face. To avoid harsh contrasts, don't position the lights too close to the subject.
As you become more experienced you will learn to detect natural light and really "see" it. Still, there are a few general rules of thumb when working with natural light. Always position the person with their back to the sun to avoid squinty eyes and burnt-out faces. For the best results, try and block out the top light where possible. If you're working in a dark indoor environment, seek out the nearest window and position your subject in the natural light. When you become more skilled you may want to try using a reflector to direct light onto the subject's face to give it some warmth.
Always remember that the highlights and shadows you can see with the naked eye will be ten times as dramatic when the photograph is printed; that is, the light patches will be much brighter and the dark patches much darker. By keeping this in mind, you will learn to avoid very contrasty portraits.
When it comes to posing, the rule is simple; never shoot the person straight on with their shoulders squared to the lens. That's what police mug photos look like! To create a more natural and flattering photograph, position them sideways to the camera with the head slightly inclined.
Make sure you're using the right lens. A wide angle can distort a face and create an unflattering photograph. An 80-100 works best for portraits. Make sure you get to know your camera and understand the importance of ISO, shutter speed and aperture; this simply comes with practice.
Lastly, taking the perfect portrait is all down to the confidence of the photographer. Study the work of other more experienced photographers and learn from it. Be brave with your subject and you will achieve results!
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