SELF PORTRAITS AND PORTRAITS PART l

1. Go with a Wide Angle

Shooting with a wide angle lens attached to your camera can help create some memorable shots when you’re doing portrait photography.

At very wide focal lengths you can create some wonderful distortion. It might not be the type of shot you take of your wife or girlfriend (unless she’s in a playful mood) but using these focal lengths will enlarge parts of the face or body that are on the edge of the frame more than what is in the centre.

It can also give a wide open and dramatic impact when your subject is in an impressive setting.

2. Experiment with Subject Expressions

In some portraits it is the expression on the face of your subject that makes the image.

Get your subject to experiment with different moods and emotions in your image. Play with extreme emotions

3. Find an Interesting Subject

I have a friend who regularly goes out on the streets around Melbourne looking for interesting people to photograph.

When he finds someone that he finds interesting he approaches them, asks if they’d pose for him, he quickly finds a suitable background and then shoots off a handful of shots quickly (if they give him permission of course).

The result is that he has the most wonderful collection of photographs of people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.

While many of us spend most of our time photographing our loved ones – perhaps it’d be an interesting exercise to shoot interesting strangers once in a while?

4. Play With Backgrounds

The person in your portrait is the main point of interest – however sometimes when you place them into different contexts with different backgrounds you can dramatically alter the mood in a shot.

                                                 ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS 

 I liked this photo because its got a great composition and an awesome background and you can infer that these girls like to hike because there next to the mountains. I also like the use of the prop as well as the girl turning around and doing that with her hands because it makes the image more interesting and not boring and straight on.

I like this photograph because they follow the rule of thirds very well which makes this image really eye pleasing. I like how they have him out in the cranberries because its his job and its a very picturesque and beautiful portrait.

                                                                   SELF PORTRAIT

 I like this photograph because the use of the props, it makes the self portrait more unique. Since the balloons are red and vibrant it makes them pop even more giving this portrait a uniqueness and distinction that runs along with the fact that he's halfway in water.

I like this photograph because the subject has a very interesting face its very worn and captivating, its like Danny Trejos face. That makes this photograph interesting and eye pleasing.

                                                          CASUAL PORTRAIT

I like this photograph because of the background it gives the photograph an interesting affect while also making it pretty. I also like how their holding hands it makes it interesting. The placement and the background are both nicely done.

I love this photograph the subject is a total badass and she has a unique and fresh look about her. The background is also awesome like its really nice but its also simple and un-distracting which rally makes the subject pop. I also really like the placement of the subject in this photograph.

For my portrait shoot I want to shoot my grandma because she's old which makes her face more interesting and unique, she's also pretty crazy and funny so it would be great if I could get that to show through her portrait. I plan to shoot it with a nice background maybe something unique and interesting but at the same time non distracting. Id probably use a brick background by my house because it has nice texture and colors while still staying simplistic. I plan on using different techniques and rules for making the photography shoot successful. As well as trying new creative ideas.