Whether you are training to become a professional photographer or you just want to save money by taking your own family portraits, it helps to learn the tips and tricks that make pictures pop.
Charles Nucci has built a career on photographing subjects, be they inanimate or human. Through years and thousands of shots, he has figured out what works, what is overrated, and what just looks plain bad.
In this post, we’ll go over tips that will help your model shots look amazing so you don’t have to waste months or years going through the same process of trial and error Charles did.
Build a personal bond with the subject
If you are looking to evoke reactions from your subject that will make for incredible photos, you should make an effort to develop a friendship with that person.
Often, this will already be the case, as you will likely begin your photography career by snapping shots of friends and family.
However, as you progress, it will become more likely you will be taking photos of someone you are meeting for the first time.
Instead of just jumping right into it, take a day (or even an hour) to get to know them. Take them out for a coffee or a beer, and interact with them as if you were on a friend date.
After breaking the ice, you will find it easier to work together when the time comes to begin snapping poses.
Laughs will be more likely and smiles will be more genuine, making for higher quality photos.
Get a lens suitable for portraits
When it comes to taking pictures of people, the lens you use makes a big difference in your end result.
Seasoned photogs suggest that a lens size between 18 to 55 mm works well, with the latter size being the favored setting for many prominent professionals, as this lens blurs the background, drawing attention to the model. If you’re interested in getting shots that have a certain vintage vibe and a neat flare characteristic, Bausch and Lomb Super Baltar lenses make for a great addition for your needs.
Experiment with different kinds of light
Of all the factors in photography, lighting is the most important, as too little light, too much light, or misplaced light can ruin the shot.
Generally speaking, you want to have the light shining on your subject rather than coming from behind, but beyond that, don’t be afraid to experiment with different setups.
Sunlight early and late in the day always produces great results, and by combining different filters, you can produce interesting effects.
Avoid standard poses
In the photography industry, there is a lot of attention paid to specific poses, as many famous models have made these shots famous.
Afterward, a flood of imitators aim to reproduce it – avoid this practice, as the half-life of the fame surrounding these crazes is so short, your work will look cheesy, dated, and unoriginal a few short months after you take them.
Instead, flex your creative muscles and come up with something original. With a bit of forethought, you will have pics that will stand out from the crowd – who knows, you might even start your own trend!
