Intermediate Photography - Portraiture
Head and shoulder portraits require a focal length approximately twice the diagonal of the negative. This focal length produces the best perspective and the least distortion. The diagonal of a 35mm negative is about 42mm so a focal length of approximately 80mm is appropriate.
Use a focal length of about 50mm for full length portraits and small groups.
Use a focal length of about 35mm for large groups.
Posing Technique: The following are general guidelines for posing. Don't be afraid to be creative and break the rules. But, don't forget that portraits are also subject to the principles of good composition. Remember that the subject should look natural and at ease.
Use pyramid or triangle composition with the top of the head at the apex. Move the arms away from the body to establish the base of the pyramid.
Position the subject at least five feet from the background and use an aperture that will throw the background out of focus, but will keep the face and nose sharp.
Use the proper head and shoulder axis with the body slightly angled and the head facing the camera.
Men are usually best shot from the side on which the hair is parted, because this is the side they see most often when combing hair.
Women are usually best shot from the side that emphasizes the hair.
Narrow Faces: Shoot full-face or the broad side of the face.
Wide Faces: Shoot the short side of the face.
Small Noses: Shoot from a slightly higher camera angle or tilt the subject's head down slightly.
Long Noses: Shoot from a slightly lower camera angle or tilt the subject's head up slightly.
Scars and Blemishes: Shoot the opposite side of the face, or use soft lighting.
Long Necks: Use a higher camera angle, or have the subject wear a higher collar.
Short Necks: Use a lower camera angle, or have the subject wear a "V" neck collar.
Older People: Use soft lighting to disquise age marks.
People Wearing Glasses: To minimize reflections, slightly tilt the lenses down, or move the head slightly, or choose a different camera angle.
Groups of Two People:
Pose #1 - Standing. Bodies facing each other at about a 45 degree angle. Heads turned toward the camera.
Pose #2 - Standing. Shorter person in front overlapping the taller person's body.
Pose #3 - When there are significant differences in height. Have the taller person sit with the shorter person standing behind.
Groups of Three People:
Use triangle or pyramid composition with two people front, bodies angled toward each other with heads toward camera, and the taller person behind with head facing camera.
Larger Groups
Pose #1 - Divide the group into two or more rows. Standing: Shorter people in the front, taller people behind. The tallest people should be in the back row. Bodies angle toward the center of the picture and over lapping. Heads toward camera. A good place to pose large groups is on steps either inside or outside.
Pose #2 - Seat the shorter people in the first row with progressively taller people arranged in the rows behind.
Note: When shootng full length pictures of seated people, pose them with their legs together or crossed at the ankles.
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