9 Portrait Photography Tips Your Camera Manual Missed (2024)

February 24, 2024

Mastering the art of portrait photography is a pursuit that goes beyond technical skills. It requires an intuitive understanding of the subject, an ability to see beyond the physical features and capture the emotion and essence of the sitter. While camera manuals offer valuable guidance, there are certain tips that can elevate your portraiture skills and unlock new creative possibilities.

Learn the Art of Story Telling

A great portrait tells a story, revealing the subject’s personality and emotions through a single frame. Engage with your subject, ask them questions, and listen to their stories. Let their words and expressions guide your composition and help you capture images that are authentic and compelling.

Create a Connection and Genuine Emotion

Building a rapport with your subject is paramount in portrait photography. Make them feel comfortable and let them trust you. Spend time with them, get to know them, and create a genuine connection. The more relaxed and at ease your subject is, the more authentic their emotions will be.

Use Natural Light

Natural light can work wonders in portrait photography. Look for soft, diffused light, such as the golden glow of sunrise or sunset. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can create harsh shadows and unflattering facial features. If you must shoot in bright sunlight, position your subject in the shade or use a diffuser to soften the light.

Experiment with Composition

Don’t be afraid to break the rules of composition and experiment with different angles and perspectives. Get close to your subject to create intimacy and emphasize their features. Try shooting from above or below to add drama and depth. Use leading lines and negative space to guide the viewer’s eye and create visual interest.

Pay Attention to Background

The background in your portrait can make or break the image. A cluttered background can distract and take away from the subject. Choose a simple, clean background that complements the subject and doesn’t compete for attention. Use a shallow depth of field to blur the background and draw focus to your subject.

Use the Right Lens for the Shot

The lens you choose for your portrait photography can significantly impact the final image. A wide-angle lens can provide a broader perspective and capture more of the environment, while a telephoto lens can bring your subject closer and compress the background. Experiment with different lenses to see which focal length best suits your style and the specific portrait you’re trying to capture.

Depth of Field Control

Mastering depth of field is crucial in portrait photography. A shallow depth of field can blur the background and isolate your subject, creating dramatic and intimate images. A deeper depth of field can keep both the subject and the background in focus, resulting in a more contextual and storytelling portrait.

Use Props and Posing to Aid in Story Telling

Props and posing can add interest and narrative to your portraits. Encourage your subject to interact with props in a natural way, or use posing to suggest movement or emotion. Experiment with different poses until you find one that expresses the subject’s personality and connects with the viewer.

Practice Makes Perfect…

The most important tip for improving your portrait photography is to practice regularly. Experiment with different lighting conditions, compositions, and subjects. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at capturing the beauty and essence of your subjects.

Pros:

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens is affordable and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for beginners and enthusiasts.
This lens’s f/1.8 maximum aperture allows you to achieve shallow depth of field, ideal for creating beautiful portraits with blurred backgrounds.
The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens’s fast and silent autofocus system ensures that you can capture sharp images even in low-light conditions.
This lens’s image quality is outstanding, producing sharp, detailed images with excellent color reproduction.

Cons:

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens is a prime lens, which means you cannot zoom in or out.
This lens may not be the best choice for photographing subjects that are very close, as it has a minimum focusing distance of 3.6 feet.

Conclusion

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens is an excellent option for portrait photographers looking for a high-quality, affordable lens. Its shallow depth of field capabilities, fast autofocus, and stunning image quality make it an ideal choice for capturing beautiful portraits that truly capture the essence of your subjects.

Disclaimer: This is an advertorial for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens. I may receive a commission for purchases made through the included links.