Advancements in technology have made it possible to achieve photographs using a compact camera that compare with those taken with more expensive SLR cameras.
The success of a good portrait photo is ultimately judged by the subject who wants to be portrayed in the best possible light and in a way that they see themselves. Taking a professional approach to this will pay dividends and help you to achieve the best possible results.
Setting up the background of the shot before taking it will help to draw your attention to the subject if you are not fortunate enough to have a studio to work in. That may sound obvious but look at your collection and see how many photos are spoiled by the background. You may have some beautiful shots of your children smiling and looking happy, but how many of them would be improved if the background was less cluttered?
Consider the comfort of the person posing and ensure that they are relaxed and happy with their surroundings. A good portrait can be of any size and does not have to be just another head and shoulders shot of a person staring into the camera. How many people would be tempted to display their passport photos? Not many. If you are taking a picture of a child, let them play with their favourite toy and position yourself to achieve the best shot. It is easier to move yourself than the sitter.
Perspective can make a vast difference to the outcome. Rather than shooting from eye-level, try laying down and taking an up-shot to create a different perspective. The same shot taken from above will produce an entirely different look. Simarlarly, shooting from the side will alter the image and being mobile allows you to be creative without disturbing the sitter. The portrait mode on your digital camera will let more light into the camera to create a shallow depth of field by slowing down the shutter speed. This will help to ensure your subject is the main focus of attention.
One of the most important factors in portrait photography is lighting. Wherever possible, natural light sources will provide the best results but nature often needs a helping hand. If you do not have access to professional lighting equipment it is possible to experiment with ready to hand equipment which can be cheaply adapted to deflect the light just by using cardbord etc. The built-in flash on a compact camera can sometimes give harsh results and should be avoided if possible.
It is worthwhile trying a few experimental shots of the background scene before asking your subject to pose for you as this will allow you to get a feel for the shot without the sitter becoming bored or distracted. This is particularly important when taking portraits of children. Unlike conventional cameras, there is little cost involved in taking shots with a digital camera so keep snapping away and review the results as you go.
The success of a good portrait photo is ultimately judged by the subject who wants to be portrayed in the best possible light and in a way that they see themselves. Taking a professional approach to this will pay dividends and help you to achieve the best possible results.
Setting up the background of the shot before taking it will help to draw your attention to the subject if you are not fortunate enough to have a studio to work in. That may sound obvious but look at your collection and see how many photos are spoiled by the background. You may have some beautiful shots of your children smiling and looking happy, but how many of them would be improved if the background was less cluttered?
Consider the comfort of the person posing and ensure that they are relaxed and happy with their surroundings. A good portrait can be of any size and does not have to be just another head and shoulders shot of a person staring into the camera. How many people would be tempted to display their passport photos? Not many. If you are taking a picture of a child, let them play with their favourite toy and position yourself to achieve the best shot. It is easier to move yourself than the sitter.
Perspective can make a vast difference to the outcome. Rather than shooting from eye-level, try laying down and taking an up-shot to create a different perspective. The same shot taken from above will produce an entirely different look. Simarlarly, shooting from the side will alter the image and being mobile allows you to be creative without disturbing the sitter. The portrait mode on your digital camera will let more light into the camera to create a shallow depth of field by slowing down the shutter speed. This will help to ensure your subject is the main focus of attention.
One of the most important factors in portrait photography is lighting. Wherever possible, natural light sources will provide the best results but nature often needs a helping hand. If you do not have access to professional lighting equipment it is possible to experiment with ready to hand equipment which can be cheaply adapted to deflect the light just by using cardbord etc. The built-in flash on a compact camera can sometimes give harsh results and should be avoided if possible.
It is worthwhile trying a few experimental shots of the background scene before asking your subject to pose for you as this will allow you to get a feel for the shot without the sitter becoming bored or distracted. This is particularly important when taking portraits of children. Unlike conventional cameras, there is little cost involved in taking shots with a digital camera so keep snapping away and review the results as you go.
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When you want a new compact camera, to take portraits with, try the Samsung ES75 for a camera that will give professional results without breaking the bank
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