I have to admit, sometimes it’s easy to fall into the same old formulas when it comes to portraits. Even with new poses, taking portraits can become mundane if the same compositions and angles are used for everyone. You know its time to shake things up when each picture begins to look like the last.
Here are a couple of techniques to keep images fresh for each individual you shoot.
1. Find angles that aren’t eye level
The easiest way to take photographs is straight on. Challenge yourself to find different angles – from above or below eye level to bring a new perspective to the image. This technique flatters subjects of different body types and heights. In the images below, I asked the models to hop on top of a port’s piling (making sure no boat was coming in to dock!!) and submit to the joyful sensation of sun on their face.
Anthony T: KODAK DX6490 f/5.6; Exposure Time 1/350sec
2. Choose the gaze
Lines are an important aspect of any shot and can draw the attention of your viewer and lead their eye into the shot. The gaze of your subject can have a similar impact. Here the subject is looking at something other than the camera and viewers will naturally want to see what it is. How intruiging! What is the object of their gaze?!
Erroll H: KODAK DX6490 f/5.6; Exposure Time 1/500sec
The direction that your subject looks when being photographed can have a profound impact upon an image so give it careful consideration. Different poses will produce differing moods. The key is to experiement endlessly and continually assess the impact each image creates. Get snappy!
Alice H: KODAK DX6490 f/5.6; Exposure Time 1/750sec
