These days, everyone has a camera right in their pocket. Smartphones have long been the go-to camera for quick photos of our friends, family, pets, and of course, ourselves. With features like portrait mode, users can simulate blurry backgrounds and isolate their subject for more eye-catching images. What else could you ever need? What if I told you that with the right equipment, and the right skills, you up the quality of your photographs? By taking the time to learn a few techniques, you could drastically improve the quality of your portrait photos.
Whether you’ve received a camera as a gift, are looking for tips on how to pursue portrait photography, or are just trying to upgrade your selfie game, we have seven tips that will help you take your portraiture to the next level.
Rule of Thirds
If you’ve read any other photo guide, you've probably heard about the Rule of Thirds. That just reinforces how powerful this simple technique can be. Put simply, the Rule of Thirds involves framing the shot to have your subject fall along the lines of a 3 x 3 grid. Doing so, especially by placing points of focus on the intersections of these lines, will help create a stronger photograph. The reason it works is because it plays on how your eyes and mind naturally “read” the image. We aren’t going to get too into this here, but Jill Waterman has produced a brilliant article that goes very in depth on the Rule of Thirds.
This rule is one of the essential techniques a photographer can use and is always a good place to start. Committing to the structure of the Rule of Thirds composition will lead to better, more aesthetically pleasing photos. Many cameras, such as the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, even have settings to overlay these grid lines on your LCD screen, so you can properly frame your shot in camera.
Depth and Focus
Aperture is notated with a numerical value like f/2.8 or f/5.6. The smaller this number, the wider your aperture and the shallower your depth of field. Lenses like the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM or the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S with large apertures will allow you to selectively focus on your subject, while achieving that creamy background and visually pleasing bokeh that portrait photographers crave. On the other side of the coin, if you have an especially dynamic model, it’s a good idea to stop down the aperture because it will give you more depth of field to make sure everything you want in focus is in focus. Better to have your subject in focus than to reach for maximum bokeh.
Frame Your Shots (Twice!)
Known as frame within a frame, amateur and professional photographers alike can get a kick out of this compositional technique. Simply put, frame within a frame is the technique of positioning your subject so that they are enclosed in a frame-like area or structure in the image. This can be done with doorways, windows, tree branches, and anything that creates a strong shape in the image. Having this double-framing can anchor your subject in the scene and create a stronger composition as a result.
Negative Space (Breathing Room)
It doesn’t matter if you have the most beautiful model in the world, no one needs to have their face fill the whole frame—although you are welcome to try that look, too! You should try framing your photo so that your subject is off to one side, leaving some “empty” space to fill the rest of the frame. Remember the rule of thirds! Doing so can help anchor them in the frame and even draw more attention due to the negative weight of the rest of the image. Combining rules, say using the Rule of Thirds as well, can build a stronger photo.
Balancing Act (Juxtaposition)
I’m less of a fan of this concept in my own work, but it can be a clever tool for telling a story or otherwise filling the negative space in an image. By having a second object in a lesser (smaller, out-of-focus, etc.) role, a portrait can balance their main subject’s weight in the image. If nothing else, practicing this technique will enable you to have a better sense of the composition within your shot. Secondary objects can be buildings, pets, other people, or even a reflection of the photographer, though it should never distract away from your primary subject. A narrower depth of field, or area of apparent focus, can blur these objects and make them less intrusive.
Take a Step Back (Environmental Portraits)
Everyone wants to get the quintessential “portrait” medium-close shot, but it’s easy to get caught up in the shoot and have that be all you capture. Sometimes it helps to back up a bit and shoot not only your subject, but also their surroundings. A great reason is that you can sometimes learn a bit about someone’s character by showing their environment. Also, how else is your model going to show off their cool shoes?
Additionally, it’s important to move around as you engage with your subject. Stepping a few feet to your left or right can open up new angles, and keep your model engaged! Bringing a mobile attitude to a shoot can help keep you and your model engaged. And who could complain about adding a few extra steps to their daily count?
Break All the Rules
It’s important to know the basics of portrait photography so that when you do disregard them, you can do so with intention. The true masters of visual tableaux are able to distinguish from when the structure of their imagery helps build their narrative, and when the absence of such can further promote it. Knowing these rules is essential. But it’s even more important to experiment. The more you shoot, the better you’ll know your equipment and yourself.
Bonus: Detail Shots
This last tip isn't strictly about composition, but I’ve found it invaluable if I’m struggling with a tough shoot. Simply put: If something catches your eye, shoot it. It’s better to have a variety of shots to cull after the fact. And a well-placed detail or two can really help fill out the narrative of a shoot. At worst, you’ve wasted a few seconds. At best, you’ve captured an excellent photo that can be used in your portfolio, or to accent your shoot.
There you have it. Portrait photography isn’t about rigidly following rules or consistently breaking them. Everyone has their own style, and the more you shoot, the more your own voice will start to shine. If you’re beginning your photographic journey or just looking to sharpen your skills, check out our other articles to help you get started.
