How to take photos: useful tips for portrait photography

Friends, relatives, children or acquaintances: people are perfect subjects for photos with real visual and emotional impact. To get an image that captures a person’s spirit rather than simply portraying how they look, there are specific rules and tips to follow. There are two types of photos of people: posed photos and candid shots. The former show subjects who are ready for the photo, while the latter catch them by surprise, after patiently waiting for the right moment. In both cases, we recommend studying the situation carefully and thinking about your subject to get a good result. In this new Pixtury guide, we will give you some practical tips for taking posters and pictures of people that live up to your expectations. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional or own expensive equipment: a few simple tricks are all it takes to capture beautiful photographs! If you want to go one step further, remember that in our community you can sell photos, paintings and digital art online.

Throughout this guide you will find a number of images that you can buy as designer pictures online from our collection to decorate your walls. Here are a few examples.

Portrait photography: practical tips

When you photograph someone, think about who is in front of you. If you know their story, it will be easier to capture certain aspects of their life; otherwise, you will have to rely on instinct. Either way, always try to reflect and work out which traits you want to bring out. You can understand a subject’s personality by observing the way they communicate or move. The face is usually the most striking element and the best channel for expressing their personality. Below we show you some close-up posters and pictures with great emotional impact.

How to photograph people with the right lighting

In portraits, lighting is the most important element. Soft light creates a gentle effect on the face, while side lighting can add drama to the composition. Here is an example.

Natural light is precious: place your subject outdoors or near a window if you want to make the most of it. If you don’t like the effect of direct sunlight, you can screen it with sheer curtains or diffuse it with a sheet of white paper. For an outdoor shot, we recommend studying the light carefully at different times of day and choosing the one that best suits your needs. Choose the best background and look at the shot from several angles: this will help you create a composition that is perfect down to the smallest detail. Here are some examples of portraits taken outdoors and others taken indoors.

Cloudy days, with their soft, diffused light, are ideal for outdoor portraits. If, on the other hand, you prefer a sunny day, make sure you choose the right exposure and avoid backgrounds that are too bright.

Tips for candid photography

Candid shots can feature people we know or strangers we meet in the street or while travelling. Once you have studied the scene and chosen the right composition, you will need to watch your subject’s movements closely so you can shoot at the right moment. Often the person is aware of your presence but absorbed in their everyday gestures, behaving as if you weren’t there. Our advice is not to get too close and to become an invisible presence, so as not to disturb the scene and spoil the spontaneity of the photo. In our collection you will find plenty of candid shots like the ones below.

Did you find this new Pixtury guide interesting? Share it with your friends! All the photographs in this article are available as modern prints and pictures in our collection!