Photography is not an easy craft, especially when it comes to portraits. It is important to take into account many different nuances and details here. How can a novice portrait photographer quickly develop in the chosen direction?
Canons you need to know
Despite the fact that 90% of the success of any business is based on practice, it is important to know the theoretical part as well. This rule also applies to photography. Without theory, taking cool and interesting portraits can be tricky. It is necessary to study all the features of the camera, read information about the rules of shooting, take into account as many details and nuances as possible. It is not at all necessary to immediately run and sign up for photography courses, sometimes it is enough to devote a little time to self-study. However, any study of the theoretical foundations should always be combined with the practical part.
Breaking the rules is the key to success
When it turned out as well as possible to work out the basic criteria for portrait photography, you can proceed to the next step. Classical photography is usually based on generally accepted standards, but it is the violation of individual rules that makes it possible to stand out from the mass of photographers of the same type. You should not crop the portrait as you please, trying to deviate from the canon. However, you can try to shoot from unexpected and atypical angles.
Put your camera down, take a look at the world around
The ability to notice the peculiarities and details of the surrounding world is exactly what makes photos fascinating and unusual. It is worth taking a walk more often even in familiar places, trying to find in the surroundings some new details that a person does not pay attention to in everyday life. It is important to follow the activities of other portrait photographers, borrow any ideas from them and reshape them in your own way. Not only can you breathe new life into your photos, but also get inspired by noticing various details, from lighting at certain times of the day to the combination of clothes in people around you.
Always remember the idea
Photography is not something that can be done completely mindlessly. Any creativity presupposes some kind of idea at its core. When creating portrait photography projects, it is not difficult to understand the idea. However, in individual photographs, it may not always be clearly read. Even if an outside observer does not fully understand the meaning and logic, the photographer, when taking a picture, must always keep in his head the thought, image, feeling for which the photograph is created. There should always be something invested in artistic portrait photos, then they will sparkle in a new way.
Don't lose contact with the model
The success of a photo shoot depends not only on the photographer. A lot falls on the shoulders of the model herself. During shooting, you should never lose touch between yourself and the person you want to photograph. You need to make contact with the model, talk, show her pictures in the process of work, discuss any moments. Creating a friendly environment and a positive attitude is where you should start any photo session.
Don't be afraid to experiment
Typical camera angles, standard poses, uninteresting lighting and average background are very boring. This limits the flight of imagination, creates a framework. At first, when the passion for photography and portrait photography are at the amateur level, there is no need to deviate from these boundaries. But gradually, developing and striving to make your pictures interesting, you need to look for new angles and lighting options, select unusual poses for the model. You should not ignore life hacks for photography, which are now a lot on the Internet. Some of them may actually be useful.
There should be nothing superfluous in the portrait
Everything that will be present in the photograph should play a role, carry meaning, complement the created image and the general atmosphere of the photograph. The abundance of objects and other objects in portrait photography can play a negative role. A person's gaze will simply rush around the picture, unable to highlight the main thing. From the side of a photo with an abundance of details that distract attention from the main thing - the model, it will seem lurid and tasteless. Before pressing the shutter button, you need to ask yourself if you really need that distant tree in the background or if there is a need to capture the candles burning in the foreground. Minimalism and restraint of the picture can play into the hands of a novice portrait photographer.
Geometry and frames are relevant not only for nature and architectural filming
Geometric shapes, guide lines, inadvertently created frames lend a special charm to photographs, they fascinate and hold attention for longer. When filming a person in an urban environment, you need to keep an eye on the lampposts, the architecture around, power lines, etc. If the shooting takes place somewhere in nature, then you can use the branches of trees and bushes, leaves on branches as framing elements in the photo.
Find your style
Famous and successful portrait photographers have their own style. Some stand out for what models they work with, others draw attention to their pictures with post-processing. You need to try to come up with some of your own chips, however, they can arise by themselves as you gain practical experience in photography. The style can manifest itself both in the process of shooting, be noticeable in "raw" frames, or it can be demonstrated after the photo has been processed.
Black and white classic
Black and white photography is something that never goes out of style. However, learning how to handle light and shade in such a context can be extremely difficult. On the other hand, the black-and-white color of the picture allows you to highlight the central object, removes unnecessary color spots that can disturb the harmony, composition in the photograph, and negatively affect the overall mood of the picture. It is necessary to work with b / w photos carefully and carefully, to approach them intelligently.
