1. Poor Lighting (And Lack of Control)
* Mistake: Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, uneven skin tones, or simply dull, flat lighting. Relying solely on available light without understanding its direction, intensity, and quality.
* Fix:
* Understand Light Direction: Observe how light falls on your subject from different angles. Front light flattens features, side light creates depth and drama, back light can create a silhouette or soft glow.
* Use a Reflector: A reflector bounces light back onto your subject, filling in shadows and creating a more balanced exposure. White, silver, and gold reflectors offer different effects.
* Diffuse Harsh Light: Use a diffuser (scrim, sheer curtain) to soften sunlight or flash. This creates a more flattering and even light.
* Embrace Golden Hour: The hour after sunrise and before sunset offers soft, warm, and flattering light.
* Learn to Use Flash (On and Off-Camera): Flash can be used to fill in shadows, overpower ambient light, or create dramatic effects. Learn about flash modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, snoots) to shape and control the light. Off-camera flash gives you far more creative control.
* Pay attention to Light Color Temperature (white balance): Make sure that skin tones look correct. If you shoot in RAW, you can adjust white balance in post-processing.
* Use a light meter. Especially if you're shooting in a controlled studio enviornment or using strobes.
2. Incorrect Focus (Soft Eyes)
* Mistake: Focus is on the nose, ears, or background instead of the eyes, especially the eye closest to the camera. Shallow depth of field can exacerbate this issue.
* Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: This is the most crucial element in portraiture. Use single-point autofocus (or eye-AF if your camera has it) and ensure the focus point is precisely on the eye.
* Increase Depth of Field (Aperture): If you're shooting with a very shallow depth of field (e.g., f/1.8), increase the aperture to f/2.8, f/4, or even higher to ensure more of the face is in focus. Consider the distance to your subject.
* Use Back Button Focus: Separates focusing from the shutter release button. This allows you to focus once and then recompose without the camera refocusing.
* Manual Focus: In challenging situations (low light, busy backgrounds), manual focus can be more accurate. Use focus peaking (if your camera has it) to help.
* Check Focus on LCD Screen: Zoom in on the image on your camera's LCD screen after taking the shot to ensure the eyes are sharp.
3. Unflattering Posing
* Mistake: Stiff, awkward, unnatural poses that make the subject uncomfortable and unappealing. Ignoring the subject's body type and features.
* Fix:
* Communicate and Direct: Don't just say "Smile!" Give specific instructions and encourage the subject to relax. Explain what you're trying to achieve.
* Angle the Body: Have the subject turn slightly to the side. This creates a more flattering silhouette and adds dimension.
* Bend Limbs: Avoid straight arms and legs, which can look stiff. A slight bend at the elbow or knee is more natural.
* Weight Distribution: Encourage the subject to shift their weight from one leg to the other.
* Hand Placement: Hands can be tricky. Have them do something natural (hold an object, touch their face, rest on their lap). Avoid hands flattened against the body or awkwardly dangling.
* Chin Forward and Down (Slightly): This helps eliminate double chins and defines the jawline. (Not too much! It can look unnatural.)
* Observe and Adjust: Continuously observe the subject's pose and make small adjustments to improve it.
* Practice Posing Yourself: Understanding how different poses feel and look on camera will make you a better director.
* Research Posing: Study portraits by other photographers and analyze the poses they use.
4. Distracting Backgrounds
* Mistake: Cluttered, busy, or distracting backgrounds that draw attention away from the subject.
* Fix:
* Choose a Simple Background: Look for clean backgrounds with minimal distractions. A plain wall, a field of grass, or a blurry background are all good options.
* Create Background Blur (Bokeh): Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) to create a shallow depth of field and blur the background.
* Change Your Perspective: Move around and experiment with different angles to find a background that complements your subject. Shoot from a lower angle to eliminate distractions above, or a higher angle to simplify the ground.
* Consider Color Harmony: Choose a background that complements the subject's clothing and skin tone.
* Remove Distractions: If possible, physically remove distracting elements from the background (e.g., trash cans, signs).
5. Unflattering Angles
* Mistake: Shooting from an angle that distorts the subject's features or makes them appear larger or smaller than they are.
* Fix:
* Eye-Level is a Good Starting Point: Shooting from eye-level is generally a safe bet, as it provides a natural perspective.
* Avoid Extremely Low Angles: Can make the subject look imposing or distorted.
* Avoid Extremely High Angles: Can make the subject look small and insignificant.
* Consider Facial Features: A slightly higher angle can be flattering for subjects with strong jawlines. A slightly lower angle can be flattering for subjects with round faces.
* Communication is Key: Ask your subject if they have a side that they prefer.
6. Ignoring Composition
* Mistake: Randomly placing the subject in the frame without considering composition principles.
* Fix:
* Rule of Thirds: Divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place key elements (like the subject's eyes) at the intersections of these lines.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the scene to draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Negative Space: Leave empty space around the subject to create a sense of balance and draw attention to them.
* Framing: Use elements in the scene (e.g., trees, doorways) to frame the subject and create depth.
* Symmetry: Consider using symmetry to create a sense of order and balance.
* Golden Ratio/Spiral: Similar to the rule of thirds, but uses a spiral pattern to guide placement.
7. Over-Processing (Or Under-Processing)
* Mistake: Excessive use of filters, retouching, or adjustments that make the image look unnatural and artificial. Or, not correcting any issues in post.
* Fix:
* Subtle Adjustments: Focus on making subtle adjustments to exposure, contrast, color balance, and sharpness.
* Retouching with Care: Remove blemishes and distractions, but avoid over-smoothing skin or altering the subject's natural features.
* Color Grading: Use color grading to create a specific mood or style, but avoid over-saturating colors.
* Sharpening: Sharpen the image to enhance detail, but avoid over-sharpening, which can create artifacts.
* Calibrate Your Monitor: Ensure that your monitor is properly calibrated so that you are seeing accurate colors.
* Less is Often More: Aim for a natural and realistic look.
* Batch Processing: Using presets can save you time, but always check individual images for needed adjustments.
8. Using the Wrong Lens
* Mistake: Using a wide-angle lens for portraits, which can distort the subject's features.
* Fix:
* Ideal Focal Length: A focal length of 50mm to 135mm is generally considered ideal for portraits.
* Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses (Below 35mm): These lenses can distort features, making the nose look larger and the face wider.
* Consider Perspective Compression: Longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm) can compress perspective, creating a more flattering look.
* Crop Sensor Considerations: Remember that crop sensor cameras effectively increase the focal length of a lens. For example, a 50mm lens on a crop sensor camera will have a similar field of view to a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera.
9. Inadequate Communication
* Mistake: Not clearly communicating with the subject about the desired look, pose, or mood.
* Fix:
* Pre-Shoot Consultation: Discuss the shoot with the subject beforehand to understand their expectations and preferences.
* Clear Instructions: Give clear and concise instructions during the shoot.
* Positive Reinforcement: Encourage the subject and provide positive feedback.
* Be Patient: Allow the subject time to relax and feel comfortable.
* Show Examples: Share examples of poses or styles that you are aiming for.
10. Forgetting the Details
* Mistake: Overlooking small details that can detract from the overall image.
* Fix:
* Wardrobe: Pay attention to the subject's clothing and ensure it is appropriate for the shoot.
* Grooming: Make sure the subject is well-groomed and that there are no stray hairs or makeup smudges.
* Jewelry: Check for distracting jewelry or accessories.
* Wrinkles: Ensure clothing is wrinkle-free.
* Background Elements: Double-check the background for any distracting elements that you may have missed.
11. Not Connecting With Your Subject
* Mistake: Treating the subject as just an object to be photographed, instead of a person with their own personality and emotions.
* Fix:
* Engage in Conversation: Talk to your subject and get to know them.
* Find Common Ground: Look for shared interests or experiences.
* Be Empathetic: Try to understand how the subject is feeling.
* Make Eye Contact: Eye contact is crucial for building rapport.
* Be Authentic: Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
* Listen and Adapt: Be responsive to the subject's needs and adjust your approach accordingly.
12. Being Afraid to Experiment
* Mistake: Sticking to the same tried-and-true techniques and poses, without trying anything new.
* Fix:
* Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Try new lighting techniques, poses, and compositions.
* Experiment with Different Lenses: Explore how different focal lengths affect the look of your portraits.
* Shoot in Different Locations: Try shooting in unusual or unexpected places.
* Break the Rules: Don't be afraid to break the rules of photography to create unique and interesting images.
* Embrace Imperfection: Sometimes, the most interesting images are the ones that are not perfect.
13. Chimping Too Much
* Mistake: Constantly checking the LCD screen after every shot, interrupting the flow of the session and making the subject feel self-conscious.
* Fix:
* Trust Your Settings: Set your camera settings correctly and trust that they will produce the desired results.
* Take a Few Test Shots: Take a few test shots at the beginning of the session to check your settings and make any necessary adjustments.
* Focus on the Subject: Spend more time engaging with your subject and less time looking at the LCD screen.
* Review Sparingly: Only review images periodically, and do so in a way that doesn't interrupt the flow of the session.
14. Ignoring Skin Tone
* Mistake: Not properly exposing or color correcting for different skin tones.
* Fix:
* Exposure Compensation: Be aware that darker skin tones may require positive exposure compensation, while lighter skin tones may require negative exposure compensation.
* White Balance: Adjust white balance to ensure that skin tones look natural and accurate.
* Color Grading: Be mindful of how color grading affects skin tones. Avoid overly warm or cool tones that can make skin look unnatural.
* Retouching: Retouch skin with care, avoiding over-smoothing or altering the subject's natural skin tone.
* Learn Skin Tone Theory: Research the undertones of different skin colors and learn how to properly light and edit them.
15. Not Practicing Enough
* Mistake: Expecting to become a great portrait photographer without putting in the time and effort to practice.
* Fix:
* Shoot Regularly: The more you shoot, the better you will become.
* Experiment: Try new techniques and styles.
* Seek Feedback: Ask other photographers for feedback on your work.
* Study Other Photographers: Analyze the work of photographers you admire.
* Take Workshops or Classes: Invest in your education and learn from experienced photographers.
* Be Patient: It takes time and effort to develop your skills.
* Don't be afraid to fail: Mistakes are a part of learning process.
By being mindful of these common mistakes and implementing the suggested fixes, you can significantly improve your portrait photography and create stunning images that capture the beauty and personality of your subjects. Good luck!