Table of Contents
Why Composition?
A: Composition is the most basic and key factor in portrait photography. In short, composition is the process of combining, dividing, configuring and sorting out various elements in the picture, so as to obtain works with high appreciation and artistry.
The purpose of photographic composition is the same as that of painting composition, which is to better express the theme and artistic effect of the work, and then arrange and deal with the relationship between the subject and the background in a certain environment or space.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Canon EOS 40d focal length: 42mm aperture: f7.1 sensitivity: ISO 100 shutter speed: 1 / 100s exposure compensation: ev0
Even if the same model has the same background, the photographer uses different composition methods, and the photo effects are often very different. Reasonable composition can well express the photographer’s shooting intention and give people the enjoyment of beauty. If you want to make good portrait works, novices can follow the basic composition principles, start with the simplest and easy to learn composition method, lay a good foundation, and then study at a deeper level.
Shooting tips
Composition is the process of recombining various elements in the picture by means of photography. The composition level of a photograph is a full display of the photographer’s photography level.
What Arae the Basic Principles of Composition in Portrait Photography?
Photography is an art of subtraction. All the processing we do (camera internal processing and post-processing) is processing the original picture. In portrait photography, the character is always the main body of the whole picture, and other objects can only be used as the auxiliary of the character. Concise composition is the basic principle of portrait composition, which can fully highlight the subject status of characters in the picture. Even in many subdivided portrait photography, concise composition is the key to success.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Sony α 900 focal length: 85mm aperture: f11.0 sensitivity: ISO 100 shutter speed: 1 / 125S exposure compensation: ev0
Simple composition will make the theme or subject of the photo more prominent and give people a harmonious and relaxed feeling. If we want to get a simple picture in the environment with complex background, it seems simple, but it will be difficult to operate. No matter what operation methods we use (controlling the depth of field, using various exposure techniques, etc.), the main character must match the background and be able to serve the shooting theme.
Shooting tips
A clean and concise background is usually the premise of getting a good portrait photo. Simplicity can make the characters in the whole picture more prominent.
How to Take Close-up Photos?
The effect of close-up photos is further than that of close-up photos. It can fill a part of the model with the whole picture and reveal the internal characteristics of the character object from subtle points. The close-up pays more attention to revealing the inner dynamic of the picture and looking at the essence through the details.
The key to success in close-up shooting is that the photographer should have unique insight and be able to capture some parts worthy of close-up. Close up will give people a very strong visual impact. Without complex factors such as composition and shooting skills, they can shoot directly locally. Close ups are generally used to show the more characteristic side of the character or part of the body. Of course, it also includes some scenes of special significance.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Sony α 900 focal length: 70mm aperture: f2.8 sensitivity: ISO 200 shutter speed: 1 / 80s exposure compensation: ev0
Shooting tips
If the facial contour of the model is clear and beautiful, it is very suitable for close-up shooting. The eyes of characters are often the content of close-up, because people often say that the eyes are the window to the soul. Through the eyes, we can see the inner feelings of the characters.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Sony SLT α 55 focal length: 85mm aperture: f8.0 sensitivity: ISO 100 shutter speed: 1 / 125S exposure compensation: ev0
Shooting Tips
Although you can not use complex shooting techniques, you should also change the angle of shooting appropriately. Remember not to shoot close-up portraits directly. When shooting, keep the character’s neck, which will give people a deeper and attractive feeling.
Photography Secrets
When shooting close-up, it requires high light and color in the scene. It is best to use contrast (color contrast, ancient and modern contrast, etc.) and complementarity to highlight the characters in the scene, so that the viewer can expand his ideas according to the focus of the picture.
How to Use Close ups to Portray Characters?
The use of close-up can describe a part of the character in more detail, which is easier to attract the attention of the viewer. It is also a detailed description of beauty. Close up can depict the characters’ facial features and emotions very finely. The viewer can read rich content from the eyes of the characters, and the screen has a stronger sense of communication.
In the process of shooting, the photographer needs to understand the appearance and personality characteristics of the model. Different models need to depict different emphases. When shooting with close-up technique, it can not only show the facial features of the character, but also show some other parts of the character. Such close-up is more creative and can leave more imagination space for people.
Close ups are different from busts, but they also have something in common. The difference is that the close-up can not only shoot the parts above the character’s legs, but also shoot the parts below the character’s legs, such as the close-up of the feet. The same point is that they all take showing the model’s expression or expressing some emotion as the main starting point.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Sony α 900 focal length: 85mm aperture: f2.0 sensitivity: ISO 200 shutter speed: 1 / 8000s exposure compensation: ev0
Shooting Tips
The photographer can design a shape for the character when making a close-up of the character’s shoulders. And try not to keep the character’s shoulders flat. This is more helpful to enhance the beauty of the picture through the lines of women’s shoulders.
Shooting parameters
Camera: Sony α 900 focal length: 85mm aperture: f11.0 sensitivity: ISO 100 shutter speed: 1 / 125S exposure compensation: ev0
Shooting Tips
Pay attention to the details of the picture when shooting. Perhaps the deviation of a detail will affect the beauty of the whole picture. Therefore, we should pay attention to keep the characters and clothes clean and tidy. And each small pose and action of the characters is very important.
Photography Secrets
When shooting close-up, be sure to show the whole in part. A prominent part can express a complete story or thought. Therefore, when taking a close-up, we need to consider whether the idea to be expressed in the close-up is complete. If it is incomplete, we can take a global effect first, and then get an ideal close-up photo through post-processing.