Ideas for striking portraits
Published: 05.11.2021
Portrait photography is one of the most interesting genres of photography. With a portrait, you can convey emotions and the inner state of a person. Photos depicting people's faces receive the most reactions on social media. They can give an idea of a person, their character, and feelings. However, creating portraits is a very complex direction in photography. To make a striking portrait, you need to put in a lot of effort, connect with the model, allow them to open up, and capture the perfect moment. Not always even perfect lighting, a well-chosen composition, and the beauty of the person elicit an emotional response. For a portrait photo to evoke emotions, there must be something captivating and eye-catching in the shot. Let's consider what ideas can be used for impactful portraits and what should be taken into account when creating them.
Ideas for portrait photography
The choice of idea for a portrait shoot depends on the preferences of the photographer and the wishes of the model. Before implementing complex creative ideas, make sure that the model feels comfortable and relaxed during the shoot, otherwise you will end up with a tense face and the concept will fail. Here are a few simple ideas that can help make a portrait more striking.
1. Experiment with light and shadows. Avoid taking portraits in bright daylight. The model will squint and feel uncomfortable in the direct sunlight. It is better to choose a time for shooting early at sunrise or a few hours before sunset, when the sun is not too aggressive. This way you will get soft and pleasant light. If it is impossible to change the shooting time, look for a place with shade. Shadows falling on the face create interesting and creative effects. You can use leaves, flowers, strips of fabric, an umbrella, and other objects as a source of shade.
2. Use framing when creating portraits. A face framed within a frame looks more expressive. If the photoshoot is outdoors, trees and bushes can be used as framing. Portraits look good against columns, doorways, and arches. Hair and hands can also be used to frame the face.
3. When shooting a portrait, it is not necessary to compose the shot in such a way that the entire face is in the frame. A part of the face covered with a leaf or a flower can look just as effective. Using the effect of covering can help distract attention from problem areas of the model. For example, if a girl is not happy with her nose, take a bouquet of flowers and capture her inhaling their scent. The photo will turn out romantic and you will divert attention from the imperfect facial features.
4. Use water for a portrait photoshoot. You don't necessarily have to go to resorts with waterfalls and seas. An interesting effect can be achieved by simply pouring a bucket of water over the model's head. You can take pictures of a face partially submerged in water in a bathtub or pool. Don't be afraid to shoot in the rain, portraits with umbrellas and water droplets look very effective, and special protective equipment can protect the camera from moisture.
5. Pay attention to the foreground and background. A well-chosen background can significantly enhance the impression of a portrait and make the photo more striking. Portraits with a bokeh effect, where the face is clearly visible and the background is blurred, look beautiful. Using this technique allows you to make the right accents and effectively emphasize details in the photo.
6. Look for reflections. A portrait with a reflection of the face in a mirror surface looks interesting and unusual. You can use puddles, mirrors, windows, shop windows, car glass, and other surfaces as reflectors. Before taking a photo, make sure that the reflection looks attractive, proportions and facial features are not distorted.
7. Use highlighting and backlighting to emphasize specific parts of the body. For example, by using backlighting on the model's hair, you can create a beautiful glowing portrait that will surely catch the viewer's attention and stand out from standard photos.
8. Do not be afraid to crop photos. By removing all the unnecessary elements, you can properly emphasize the important parts. For example, if you crop the chest and hips of a model, you will draw attention to their gaze and eyes. Cropping with a part of the face can also create an interesting look. Pay attention to which side of a person looks most attractive and use the cropping effect accordingly.
9. Play with colors and accessories. A good portrait is not just a beautiful face, but also the right makeup, successful accessories, and props. The same model can look completely different with different makeup. Iridescent and light shades of eyeshadow and lipstick will make the look soft and romantic, while a combination of dark eyeshadow with red lips will create a passionate and sensual image.
10. Take reportage photos. Watch people and photograph them in the process of their favorite activities or everyday tasks. Such portraits look more natural than posed ones with a standard forced smile. Insincere emotions are felt by viewers, so capture real and genuine emotions and feelings.
11. Experiment with focus. It is not necessary for the entire face of a person to be clearly visible. You can focus on the background and leave the face in partial shadow. Such shots look mysterious and unusual, which attracts attention.
12. Use graphic editors to enhance the impression of a portrait. There is no need to completely retouch all skin imperfections. Sometimes small facial wrinkles look more attractive than carefully retouched porcelain skin. But don't completely reject Photoshop either, as it can help fix the background, highlight certain details, and remove any imperfections.
The main rule when shooting a portrait is to allow the model to be themselves, to express their feelings and emotions. The more relaxed and free a person feels in front of the camera, the better the photos turn out. Sometimes the right mindset is more important than the cost of the camera and lens. Experiment, observe people, and you will definitely get impressive portraits.
Cool photos deserve an unusual framing. Print your cool photos in a polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s can experience familiar feelings by holding a photo in the style of a Polaroid. Those who are not familiar with traditional Polaroid will enjoy square images with space for captions.
