Tricks Of Portrait Photography In Melbourne

By Enid Hinton


Everybody likes looking at a stunning photo. It could be the photograph of a friend, family member, model or even complete stranger. When photos are well taken, they will create some form of mystery and tell stories. In addition, they will come with good memories. These portraits reveal the true personality of a person. In considering portrait photography in Melbourne, some important ideas and tips come in handy. These will help to get the best outcomes.

The background plays a very important role. Portraits are all about the face of the individual. As a result, it will not be the best idea to have a background that interferes with the subject. The better option is a simple background that is not too cluttered. Nevertheless, there are instances when surroundings have to be considered so as to bring out the true personality of the subject. For instance, a photo of a lawyer may have to be taken in his office where stacks of legal books can be seen.

It is not a must to have a prominent background. It could be dimmed or blurred through focusing more on the subject. This is the case for most portraits. Creation of such a background is possible through using a zoom lens. The other options are to shoot from a short distance or use a wide aperture manual setting. The use of Photoshop or other software is also an option for blurring the background.

Lighting is very crucial. If portraits are taken in natural light, one will have the best chance of getting the best appearance with natural colors and the right skin tones. On the downside however, control of the light intensity may be a bit difficult. Posing should not be done right in front of the sun because it could bring about unnecessary brightness or shadows.

Taking portraits in mid-day ought to be avoided. For the best results, subjects need to be positioned such that sunlight falls on them sideways. The use of reflectors and external flash can be considered for lighting up some face sections. For shooting done indoors, evenly distributed light source which is soft should be used for lighting.

The use of different apertures will be helpful. When the aperture is opened wide, the background will get blurred and thus the subject made to stand out. Smaller apertures give the screen a better focus. When taking a portrait, the main focus should be the eyes of the subject. The assumption that smiling faces make the best portraits is not true in all instances. It is best to capture various expressions while still focusing on the eyes.

The angle and pose will play a very important role. The subject looking straight at the camera while motionless can be boring. Having a flamboyant look, inviting smile or sexy expression are some options. To come up with the best results, it is important to experiment with different poses and angles.

Makeup is a vital part of most shots. It will not only cover blemishes but also make the face look even and glow. Some makeup also makes the subject to look trendy or have a different look depending on the personality. Confidence is enhanced by the use of makeup.




About the Author: