• Photography main page.
• Human body photography (1).
• Human body photography (2).

• Portrait photography.
• Some of my own photo's.
• My camera's.

• Basics of portrait photography.

Portrait photography is a special kind of photography. To make good portrait photographs it's important to have a certain amount of photographic technique and the other important thing is an interest in your subject. It is also good to understand what effect the camera has on people and work or play with that. Take care that the model is wearing clothes that fit and look good on him or her and find a background that fits the clothing and the colors of the model, avoid black or white unless it's a choice.

If you use a longer lens and put yourself at a greater distance from the model, de shapes of the model will soften especially the nose area. Also the model will be more relaxed is you make photographs from a distance. Always focus on the eyes and adjust the lighting so you only have 1 shadow. Static pictures are not so interesting most of the times, so try to talk tot the model and try to get some spontaneous reactions, then capture the essence of that expression.

Making a portrait photograph is not only making an image of the model, it is important to capture something about the character of the model. The easiest way to accomplish this is by taking photographs when the model does not suspect it so they don't have the chance to act for the camera but instead act naturally. These photographs are spontaneous and alive because the model does not take a pose. When the model is posing unnaturally, try to talk about anything, some common interest or a hobby and then wait until the model takes a natural pose.

Use a big lens opening (aperture f/4) so the background will be unsharp and the model will be the most important part of the portrait.

To make the model feel comfortable you can use the following simple techniques:

• Talk to the model and try to make him or her to talk to you about something. Within several minutes the model will forget the camera and interesting expressions will appear. Now its time to make an interesting picture.
• Don't ask the model to smile or say 'cheese'. A natural smile comes from within and the only way you can accomplish this is by giving the model a reason to smile. Tell a short joke or something funny that happened to you. Remember that serious and even sad expressions can be very beautiful, try to talk about something to get that expression.