Monday, June 30, 2008

Portrait Photography

Blogger Neo is an avid photographer, and he particularly likes to take pictures of beautiful women. Female blogger, Huei, on the other hand, likes to “camwhore”. So I think it is time to write something on portrait photographer.

Admittedly, I am not a good photographer. However, after a few years of “playing with camera”, I have learned a thing or two. I compile some tips for taking portraits here, some of which apply to general photography too…

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Many people hardly hold their cameras in vertical position. But if you are shooting portrait, learn to shoot in vertical (portrait) position more often.

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Try to apply The Rule of Thirds. (Google to learn more about it.)


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Focus on the subject’s eyes.

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Do not always shoot at eye level. Occasionally shoot from low or high angle.

This photo was taken from high angle.

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If you are using wide-angle lens and intending to take a full-body-length portrait, avoid shooting at eye level. This will make the subject’s legs look short!

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12 comments:

  1. nice tips! but first thing first, i need a better cam to go with it. Heh.

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  2. kyh
    I think your Sony Ericsson phone is pretty good. But of course if you want to join photo shooting session with other people, you must have 'comparable' gears :D

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  3. some how i find high angle shot will emphasize eye bags....

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  4. Cool tips for a layman like me.

    I should emphasize that good camera skills is one thing - having a juicy candidate is equally as yummy yummy important.

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  5. 迷迭香
    If you shoot full body length, the eye bags are not so conspicuous. Even if you shoot head-and-shoulder, there is still PhotoShop to use.

    shingo
    I can't argue with you with regard to candidates...

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  6. Yes, the Rule of Thirds, I just learned it when I was researching for this post on
    Tips for Photographing Stunning Sunsets.

    Thanks for sharing the other tips.

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  7. happysurfer
    Now it's time you put the theory into practice...

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  8. I love to capture photos.. BUT I do not have DSLR.. I am only using my SE phone camera.. I am happy with the result la..

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  9. keeyit
    SE phone camera is quite good. I think the major deficiency is optical zoom.

    If you have money get a 'standalone' camera. They are quite cheap nowadays.

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  10. Thanks for the portrait photography tips.

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  11. tenkiu for ur tips!! =D

    i have a photography session middle of this mth..will remember this! =D tenkiu!!

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  12. huei
    Remember to show us your photos :-)

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