5 Tips for Getting Better Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is my favorite genre. In this video, I will give five tips that will make your portrait photography better.

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⏱Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:20 My Courses
01:31 Get Close!
03:26 Eye Contact
04:28 Background
05:18 Focus in the Eye
05:48 Light
08:32 Watch next!

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This video was made with the following gear:
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Olympus OM-D E-M1 MKIII

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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 Pro

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Dörr flexible LED light

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[PLATO]

Great tips, Peter. Don’ know the first thing about portrait photography.

[benjaminnetanyahu]

Speaking pseudonymously, Peter has done an excellent job, especially the advice to work close-up and intimate; whether the eyes are looking at you or not, for excellence they must BOTH be in focus; also the tip of the nose. This is important because close work reduces the available depth-of-field and may compel an increase in ISO and use of a smaller-than-usual aperture. A second comment would be, there is no artistic portrait that would not be made better by conversion to monochrome; warming up or cooling down with toning is sufficient to maintain interest. Colors are almost always a distraction from the goal of portraiture, which is to penetrate to the essence of the subject. Third, grain is a distinct advantage in most portraits; also, simulation of a yellow filter to produce the most correct grey-tone rendering of skin color, especially for caucasian subjects.

[gunnarbech]

I noticed, that you, in these portraits, use lines and surfaces in the background, which make up frames within the frame. I think that is very cool in portraits and gives a kind of ‘zooming’ effect focusing the attention on the face.

[joecarey]

Great tips video. I really learned from the examples you used to show the importance of lighting in portraiture.

[marshazangroniz]

I haven't done portrait work in many years. Thanks for the tips, Peter.

[joerghummerjohann]

Hi Peter, great summary of important points, especially the light section.
I'm working since 3 years now with pro and hobby models, still learning a lot.
In my case, almost all is about "good vibes" between model and me, especially when nude shooting.
If we laugh, talk, drink some coffee over some chat we all a more relaxed and feel comfortable, right?
The reward of this atmosphere is seen directly in the pictures, in my view.
Remember Peter Lindbergh: He treated the models so well, that finally some of his iconic shots do look like a shot during breaks . Relaxed, cool, just human (and not a stiff set).
What do you think about?

[govertvanamerongen]

Thank you for your tips Peter! I would add finding chemistry between photographer and model. Here you work with a pro model. But what if you are not... how you make a good and pleasant shot. My way is making people feel at ease. Have chit chat conversations, finding common ground...

[rpdee]

10/1/21 I think you should expand upon what you consider portraiture is. The environment about your subject can also add to the image by giving greater depth of what the person is or about, plus making a more interesting photo. Props, clothing, setting related to the subject can take it to a higher level. Someone who has a formal portrait of a loved one might cherish more a candid portrait of the loved one working in a garden.

[lorenschwiderski]

Good tips there, Peter. These portrait tips are useful and apply to other objects being photographed as well, no doubt. When I shoot photos of people that know they are being photographed, I do try to take at the least one shot just before they strike a pose, and one after a pose, where in both cases they are more loose. The professional portrait and product shoots are a whole different game than I am used to. If doing a lot of portraits, the investment in lighting and such makes sense. Being a natural light shooter, the majority of my people shots are more street photography type. That tip on separation using light in background to the subject seems very essential, will be careful of that in the future for portraits. If the focus is not exactly on the closest eye, won't a setting of f4 or greater compensate for such. I see photos taken at f1.4 with the models eye and maybe nose in focus, but out of focus by the time it gets to the ear. That bugs me. The new ultra sharp look is stunning, yet in a way seems un-natural. Is there a limit how far we can go with technically sharp? - Loren lorenschwiderski smugmug

[timofeysavelyev]

Would you recommend using the portrait mode from Scenes menu in omd-em5 mk3? Or your best settings with autofocus on face + eye? Thanks.

[louismanna]

Greetings from southern Indiana, USA! Peter, where was the extra tip? I remember how you always used to give an extra tip! Don't tell me it was the course!!

[berntlie]

What makes a model a "good model"? Some people "freeze" when being photographed, and get a "sheepish" look. Others look "natural". Is that it?
Kirk Tuck writes quite a bit about portraiture, and emphasizes the need to "get to know" the model. How important is that? How does one go about to convey some "feeling" of the model -- is that of importance?

[Reddy]

Hello Peter, i would like to know of you offer a sort of certification after buying and completing your courses! Thank you in advance!

[erkkikoski-lammi]

Hyviä suosituksia Peter👍👍, tullutkin kuvattua vähän ihmisiä🤔🤔