Photo Tips
Portrait tips on the road and in life
Speed is essential. Know your camera and how you can
take a photo FAST.
Engage a person - become their best friend – forget
about your camera and make a connection with another
human being – look them in the eyes. Make them laugh.
When you are out on the road in India or East Timor
don’t pay anyone to take their picture – it will not
be a good picture. Engage someone you meet in
conversation; ask for directions - buy a juice on the
street and ask the vendor with a smile if you can
photograph them – stay in one place long enough to get
to know the locals – then ask them if you can take a
photo by pointing at the camera and getting a photo
fast. Don’t ever ask them to pose.
Don’t say, “Smile.” Help them to smile naturally and
in that split second that they do snap the photo.
Take a lot of photos – people are the most elusive
subjects and it takes a lot of practice. Keep going
and show your results. Print out your photos don’t
leave them as lonely digital files on your computer.
Have fun with this!
Practice on babies, grandparents, teenagers, anyone.
Have your camera ready to shoot at all times.
Timing:
Know your camera inside and out as the best portraits
happen fast – revealing a person’s expression which is
as fleeting as the wind. Be sure to have a camera that
takes the photo when your finger tells it to – without
delay.
Lighting:
Soft light is most flattering for people – bright
shade is the zenith of lovely lighting – placing your
subject by a window is attractive if you can get them
there, and a flash stops the action so it is great for
children who do not pose.
Angle:
Don’t shoot below a person’s nose – women over 40 will
dislike you – it is an unflattering angle. Try to
shoot slightly downwards or at their level. With
children you may have to get on your knees – I do this
all the time when shooting kids – stay flexible do
yoga.
Composition:
Using different backgrounds is fun but
try to keep them simple to show that the subject is
most important. If you want the person to stand out
use a plain background or if you want to show where
they are – use some of the background to show the
environment like one half to two thirds of a mountain
or building or street scene. Just be sure not to get
antlers from potted plants and assorted home décor sprouting
out of the back of their heads.
Take tons of photos!
