The Rules Of Good Portraiture

[fallingstar]

Currently I am a student in graphic design... when I need a break from studying I turn to photography. My thoughtful sister bought me a DSLR for christmas and I want to put it to good use. I have been asked recenlty to do photo shoots for friends and family. Your tutorial is awesome and as I have been asked to do some photos for a maternity portrait I am sure it will come in good use. So thank you for posting. I do have a few photos in the member gallery and would appreciate any advise.

[Mrs J]

Thanks for all of your wisdom, Benji. Boy, I have a lot to learn. I plan on taking a few of these each week and learn them that way.

[KellyL]

You'll be glad you did. This was the first thread I found on the Camel. Once you start practicing, post over in Portraits. We will help you out!

[Hawk911]

Originally Posted by Benji

Mark,

See the image below for the 1-3-2 and the 1-2-2 poses.

The numbers correlate to the position of the body, the face, and the eyes in that order. The # 1 position is anything positioned so it is pointing at a 45 degree angle relative to the camera. So a 1-1-1 pose would be where the body, face and eyes all point at a 45 degree angle relative to the camera. This pose would be quite boring! The # 2 position is when anything is pointed toward the camera. A 2-2-2 pose would be where the subject's body, face and eyes are all pointed directly square to the camera. This pose would also be quite boring! A 1-3-3 pose would be where the body is posed at a 45 degree angle and the head and eyes are turned about 30 to 40 degrees back beyond the camera. This pose would look rather strange (although I have seen it before and I have even done it a few times.)

Ben

this is what I needed. Couldn't find anything else that describes 1-3-2 or 1-2-2. thanks Benji

[gbart]

WOW....what a find!! Just another newbie flying in from POTN. Thanks so much for the link, Benji...and thanks for one of the most informative tutorials on the web! Absolutely fantastic...my new bible! Your DVD is next on my list.

Greg

[yarnos]

Benji!!
Well after following and reading the strobist blog for more than 8months i think it will make this tutorial more intresting if you start showing your lighting setup and settings! Or possible a youtube tut!!.. I think all your followers will appreciate the next level of knowledge (including my self ) keep me in the loop if you decide to create intresting lighting tutorials.

[cutoata]

Benji
This was a very useful thread, and I was wondering if you could elaborate more on wedding shots and using off camera flashes. I have my first wedding shoot coming in July and am really nervous about getting it right.

[Mavin]

Benji,

Great tutorial.

Thanks so much

[angelsfort]

Originally Posted by gbart

WOW....what a find!! Just another newbie flying in from POTN. Thanks so much for the link, Benji...and thanks for one of the most informative tutorials on the web! Absolutely fantastic...my new bible! Your DVD is next on my list.

Greg

If you haven't ordered it, you definitely should! I'm sure if you PM Benji he'll send you all the info you need to order that DVD. It's terrific!

[ladonna]

Originally Posted by Benji

Rule 13. Proper Camera Height - Generally speaking, the camera lens should be at about eye level for head and shoulders portraits, chin level to chest level for ¾ length and chest level to waist level for full length portraits. An even lower camera height for heavy set brides, that are posed standing, will make her appear taller and more "regal."

This rule is perhaps the one I break most often. Just as I will not tilt the head of a 60 year old female as much as I will of a 16 year old female, I also don't usually stand on a step ladder or stool to photograph a 60 year old woman, but I do for a girls high school senior portrait. A higher camera position in head and shoulders portraits of high school seniors will give their eyes a more "glamourous" look. If the 60 year old woman wants to look glamourous, I will of course use a high camera position (or if she has a double chin) it all depends of the final use of the image.

In the image below, I broke rule 13. I was on a step ladder about nine feet above the subject in the second image and at ground level for the first image. Note how much thinner she appears in the second image. This works best for subjects seated on the floor. Note how the background "moved up" when I raised the camera position up. You may want to pre-position the background somewhat lower to compensate for this.

Benji

Hello,
When taking pictures of heavy set brides, your suggestions say to lower camera lens, QUESTION - DOES BRIDE LOOK DOWN TO CAMERA LENS? DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE/EXAMPLE SHOWING THIS TECHNIQUE. I understand your logic, but not sure what bride will be doing while my camer is LOWER then chest level and waist line level. Thanks for your help.

[ladonna]

It's truly nice to know that someone would take the time to share this much information for FREE. I promised I would go to be tonight at 9:30 and it's almost 10:30. Thanks a bunch.

[cutoata]

ladonna,

thats my ?, same scenerio just wondering how to make a larger bride and a smaller groom appear as equal or close.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by ladonna

QUESTION - DOES BRIDE LOOK DOWN TO CAMERA LENS? DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE/EXAMPLE SHOWING THIS TECHNIQUE.

Yes the bride may (or may not) look at the camera but with the camera held at the level just below the tummy it will not be readily apparant to the viewer that her eyes are looking slightly down.

I don't use this technique on heavier brides as often as I used to because with Photoshop I can now remove those extra pounds the camera lens tends to add.

Benji

[Benji]

Originally Posted by cutoata

ladonna,

thats my ?, same scenerio just wondering how to make a larger bride and a smaller groom appear as equal or close.

Whatever is closest to us appears larger to our eyes. This is true with the naked eye as well as with the camera. So if we have a larger bride, and a thinner groom, how about posing him slightly in front of her. This will hide some of her bulk (because his body is partially obstructing hers) and since he is closer he will appear slightly larger.

Unfortunately bridal gowns make nearly every bride look heavier that what she really is, and if she is large breasted this will also make her appear larger. If you do head and shoulders thru 1/2 length images rather that full length images it is easier to pose him in front of her and make it look more believable. Usually in full length images we see all of her dress (or nearly so) and all of his tuxedo so hiding her behind him in full length images make look rather strange.

Benji

[ladonna]

Thanks for the immediate response.
When taking pictures of a bride and groom, what pose do you use when the Bride is taller than the groom?? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by ladonna

Thanks for the immediate response.
When taking pictures of a bride and groom, what pose do you use when the Bride is taller than the groom?? Thanks in advance for your help.

For candids I just shoot. For posed studio type images, whether done in the studio or on location at the church in a Sunday school room, I usually start with the groom and pose him seated on a stool at a 45 degree angle to the camera facing to the photographer's left. Then I have him turn his face only toward the camera. He should lean in over the belt buckle. Then I pose the bride behind him standing and leaning onto his back with her left hand on his shoulder. This will show the ring well. Tip her head toward his, but not his toward her. Light them from camera right. Her mouth should be at the same level as his eyes.

Benji

P.S. Where in LA do y'all live?

[cutoata]

Thanks for the tips Benji, I am going practice all your tips this sunday while trying to help an actress with her portfolio. I am living on a Navy Base in Belle Chasse.

[Benji]

I've been to Biloxi twice and to Kiln once in the last three years with some guys from my church doing hurricane Katrina relief. I was there in November of last year. Things are still a mess, but is getting rebuilt slowly!

I was in the Navy from 1965 to 1971. Loved it (now) hated it then!!!!!

Ben

[BeckyC]

Benji, do you have any posing/light/camea angles tips for kids between the ages of 3 years and 6 years old?

[cutoata]

I am actually a civilian working for the navy as a parachute rigger but was in for 13 years and yes it is coming back but really slow, the picture I have of the happy face in the speed challenge 122 is from this years mardi gras parade. at night and trying to get a good shot around all the out streched hands made it a challenge. Thanks for coming down and helping out..

Dave