Make Sure Your Photographer Does This, to Get The Best Possible Photos
Introduction
If you would like to know how to take proper portrait photography, but you don't want to hire a photographer or you think that your photographer is doing a bad job, or you just want to know how to take pictures for yourself as a hobby, you can learn some tricks here to hopefully help you in the future.
What is The Rule Of Thirds?
The rule of thirds dictates that the subject's eyes are positioned in the top third of the image. This small step can add a level of personality to your photos, this is how you give your photos a level of emotion that the audience can resonate with. The rule of thirds doesn't always apply however, if you are taking a full body picture, you can frame the subject further to the left or right or near the bottom of the frame if they are in the middle.
What Is Depth Of Field?
Depth of field is the difference between the background and foreground, like if the subject in the foreground is more in focus than the entire background. Shallow depth of field is a great way to bring focus to one specific subject in the photo, whether that be a person, an animal or an object.
Deep Depth Of Field
A deep depth of field could be used for if you don't want all the attention on the foreground, if you want to show off some detail in the background that would add to the photo. Deep depth of field also kind of negates the foreground, so you don't have to put that much detail on it
Filling The Frame With The Subject
A lot of photos are taken this way, where the picture is completely filled by the subject. You can use this tool to bring out certain details that you might not have been able to with a regular picture. Detail of the eye of the subject for example, you can bring the camera to the eyes of the subject to show every detail of their iris. The subject does not have to be a face however, it can be a hand, a stomach, a bird, whatever you wish as long as you fill the frame with that subject without sacrificing the quality of the photo itself.
Doing The Opposite
I also wanted to talk about the opposite of filling the frame with a subject, and you might wonder what that means? It's basically putting the subject closer to the background, so that the subject looks like they are part of the background. One thing to remember while trying to get this shot is to keep the subject in focus and make sure that they are still visible. The subject should only be in the background in terms of distance from the camera, they should be just far enough where it looks like they can be part of the background but they are still the focus of the shot, meaning they are still contrasting with the background, their face is clear enough for them to see and following every other photography rule. While this way of shooting may not be a common, or easy one, I still wanted to point it out so that you have a few ideas while doing your photoshoots.
What Are Leading Lines?
Leading lines are lines in your photo that lead to a subject. The lines guide and direct the audience's eyes to a general or specific direction, your choice really depends on what you want. Leading lines can be a very powerful way to tell a subtle story without adding too much detail and unnecessary noise that might distract from what you want to say, so, leading lines is a great subtle way to direct the audience's attention and make a beautiful picture.
The Direction Of The Lines
The leading lines don't have to lead in a certain way. First off, the lines don't necessarily have to be straight, they can be leading towards or away from your subject in any way you want it to. If the lines are leading away from your subject, then you might want to make the lines point to something else, like another person, or a specific object. This isn't completely necessary though, you can just make them lead to the outside of your photo.
How To Use Texture In Your Photo
Another great way to bring depth and contrast to your photo is through texture. A contrast of texture between your background and subject would really highlight the subject. For example, you could have someone with smooth skin in front of a rough wall or tree and see the contrast that brings. Texture just makes your photos more appealing and satisfying to look at.
Why Have Texture?
If your photo lacked any texture whatsoever, it would look unnatural and unappealing, but texture gives it a technical grip which would make it easier to look at. The contrast would also make subtle elements easier to see and point out.
How To Use Colour In Your Photo
Having colours in photos is very important, especially if you are a beginner with photography. Using contrasting colours to make certain aspects of your photo shine. Having a subject against the sky as a background while they wear a contrasting colour like yellow or red is a great example of what contrast looks like in this situation.
Black And White
Using black an white is a somewhat common method and it can result in a beautiful picture. But if you can use photoshop or whatever photo editing software you choose to use, you can make it so that certain colours pop while everything else is black and white, this way it can result in a much more aesthetic photo.
How To Frame The Subject In Your Photo
When i say frame your photo i don't mean a physical frame, rather how to frame your subjects in the photo that you are taking. Framing your subjects through certain things in certain ways can send different messages. For example: you can use a window or a hole in a wall to make it seem like it is the frame in the photo. So really think about how you want your photo to appear and frame your subjects in that way.
How To Use The Wardrobe To Your Favour
Your clothes will affect how your photos look to a lot of people. It could completely lose its value or make the photo ten times better depending on your wardrobe. Make sure that your wardrobe is complementary to the vibe/feeling that you want your photos to have. You should wear clothes you are comfortable in, especially if these are headshots for professional use. You want to show you on a normal day, and you probably aren't wearing anything super uncomfortable on a day to day basis.
Group Photo Wardrobe
If you are taking a photo with a group of people, make sure they all have matching, or appropriate clothing for the shoot (really whatever your shoot needs). You'll know the appropriate clothing based on what you think you need. Photoshoots are a creative thing that don't always have to be something with a strict set of rules, so just do what you think would be best.
How To Maximise Your Time In A Professional Studio
If you are planning on using, or have already booked a session with a photography studio, you should know some basics on what you're going to go into. Photography studios will have most of what you need, lighting, props, sets, etc. they will of course also have neutral or solid coloured backgrounds for you to choose from. You're going to want to explore how you can use the resources that the studio gave you to your full advantage
Your Photographer in the Studio
If you are planning on hiring a photographer that isn't already familiar with the studio you're going to be in, talk to the photographer and make sure that they actually are comfortable in the studio. Let them know about anything in the studio you think they might need to know, things like the bathroom, emergency exits, kitchen if the studio has one and anything else probably photography related. Their job is to keep you comfortable while taking the pictures, please return the favour by making their job easier as well, because they are human beings just like you, and if you are nice enough, it just might make you a photographer friend which is always nice to have.
How To Use Direction In Your Photos
Direction might sound similar, but it isn't the same as leading lines, rather direction is about where your subject is turning their attention to, which direction they are facing. Using this tool can be a great way to bring focus to either what they (the subject) are looking at, or to bring attention to a certain aspect of the subject themselves. Maybe you want the audience to look at a certain feature of the subject or the subject is looking at the moon which is somewhere in your photo as well.
Facing The Background
The subject's face doesn't even have to be in the photo. Making your subject face the background is a great way to get a powerful photo if you can put something significant in the background. Get the direction of the photo to flow forward to the subject then into the background
Considering Angles In Your Photo
Just how direction can bring attention to your subject and a certain aspect of the subject, so can angles, but angles are more on doing just that. Angles can also be used for creative ways to use lighting. Angles are relatively simple though, so you can use this in combination with some of the other points throughout this article.
Lighting Against or With Angles
When you're using different angles to shoot your photos, you'll want to make sure that the lighting isn't messing your photo up in any way. Make sure that the shade on your subject doesn't make them look unrecognisable. If you want to shoot so that the light is behind the subject, making a sort of backlight for the subject, you should use natural lighting as that will bring the best end product with these types of shots. Lighting is very important in photos, and you have to be extra careful with it when you're shooting in weird angles.
Don't Follow The Rules
Well, not exactly. These “rules for a great photo” are just guidelines for anyone struggling to get a good photo, or for anyone to make sure they have a decent photo. But it's all just art, and you can have your own interpretation that doesn't have to follow any rules. With photography, as long as you do what you think is right and you think that your photo came out good, then that's all you need for your photo.
CONCLUSION
I hope these tips do help whoever comes across this, whether you are a photographer yourself, or a client of one trying to see what the process of photography is. I hope you can leave this article knowing more than you did when you came here, and best of luck to your future endeavours, whatever they may be.
