I. Composition & Framing:
1. Mistake: Centering the Subject (All the Time). While centering works sometimes, it can often feel static and uninteresting.
* Fix: Use the Rule of Thirds. Imagine dividing your frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place key elements (like the subject's eyes or face) along these lines or at their intersections. Experiment with off-center compositions. Also, consider negative space - what surrounds your subject - and how it adds to the story.
2. Mistake: Too Much or Too Little Headroom. Too much space above the head can make the subject feel lost. Too little can feel claustrophobic and cut off.
* Fix: Pay Attention to the Crop. Adjust the framing in-camera or in post-processing. Generally, leave a comfortable amount of space above the head – enough to feel balanced, but not so much that the subject appears small. The 'eye level' rule is good, but break it when appropriate.
3. Mistake: Poor Background Selection. A distracting or cluttered background draws attention away from the subject.
* Fix: Choose Simple, Unobtrusive Backgrounds. Look for clean walls, blurred foliage (using a wide aperture), or open spaces. Consider the colors and textures of the background – do they complement or clash with the subject? Pay attention to shapes and lines in the background that may cut off the subject.
4. Mistake: Cutting Off Limbs at Joints. This can create an awkward and unnatural look.
* Fix: Crop Artistically and Intentionally. Avoid cropping at elbows, wrists, knees, or ankles. If you need to crop a limb, do so mid-upper arm/thigh/calf. Full-body shots are preferable to cropped ones if you have the room. Intentionally cropped arms in the lower or upper bicep can sometimes work.
II. Lighting:
5. Mistake: Harsh, Direct Light. Direct sunlight often creates harsh shadows, squinting eyes, and unflattering highlights.
* Fix: Shoot in Open Shade or Use a Diffuser. Open shade provides soft, even light. If shooting in direct sunlight, use a diffuser (a translucent material) to soften the light. Overcast days are also ideal. If you have a flash, bounce it off of a white wall or use a diffuser over it for softer light.
6. Mistake: Ignoring the Direction of Light. The direction of light dramatically affects the mood and shape of the subject.
* Fix: Experiment with Light Angles. Side lighting can create drama and highlight texture. Backlighting can create a soft, ethereal glow. Front lighting is the most straightforward, but can be flat if not done well. Learn the effects of different light angles on the face.
7. Mistake: Under-Exposing or Over-Exposing. Improper exposure can lead to loss of detail in highlights or shadows.
* Fix: Use Your Camera's Metering System and Histogram. Understand how your camera meters light. Use the histogram to check for blown highlights (right side of the graph) or blocked shadows (left side). Adjust your aperture, shutter speed, or ISO accordingly. Spot metering can be useful to accurately measure the light on your subject's face.
8. Mistake: Using Flash Directly On-Camera. This creates harsh, unflattering light and red-eye.
* Fix: Bounce Your Flash or Use an Off-Camera Flash. Bouncing the flash off a ceiling or wall softens the light and creates a more natural look. Using an off-camera flash allows for greater control over the direction and intensity of light. Also consider a flash diffuser or softbox to soften the light.
III. Posing & Expression:
9. Mistake: Stiff, Unnatural Poses. Forcing unnatural poses can make the subject look uncomfortable and awkward.
* Fix: Encourage Natural Movement and Interaction. Have the subject move around, talk, and interact with their surroundings. Give gentle direction, rather than strict instructions. Use prompts instead of demanding "smile!" For example, ask them to think of a happy memory.
10. Mistake: Ignoring Hand Placement. Hands can be tricky to pose. Awkwardly placed hands can distract from the portrait.
* Fix: Pay Attention to Hand Placement. Avoid flat, stiff hands. Have the subject hold something, place their hands in their pockets, or gently touch their face or hair. Slightly bend the fingers for a more relaxed look. Hands in pockets can be a good option if the subject doesn't know what to do with them.
11. Mistake: Forcing Smiles. Fake smiles often look forced and unnatural.
* Fix: Elicit Genuine Emotions. Engage the subject in conversation, tell a joke, or ask them about something they're passionate about. Capture candid moments of laughter and natural expression. Look for the "Duchenne smile" - the one that involves the eyes.
12. Mistake: Not Connecting with the Subject. A portrait is more than just a photograph; it's a connection between the photographer and the subject.
* Fix: Talk to Your Subject. Build rapport and make them feel comfortable. Listen to them and show genuine interest. A genuine connection will translate into more authentic and engaging portraits.
IV. Technical Aspects:
13. Mistake: Incorrect Focus. Soft focus on the eyes makes the portrait look blurry and unprofessional.
* Fix: Focus on the Eyes (or the Nearest Eye). Use single-point autofocus and select the eye as the focus point. Consider using back-button focus. Make sure your shutter speed is fast enough to avoid motion blur, especially if shooting at a wide aperture.
14. Mistake: Shooting at the Wrong Aperture. Using too narrow of an aperture (high f-number) can make the background distracting. Using too wide of an aperture (low f-number) can result in only a small portion of the subject being in focus.
* Fix: Choose an Aperture Based on the Desired Depth of Field. For portraits with a blurred background (shallow depth of field), use a wider aperture (e.g., f/2.8, f/1.8, f/1.4). For group portraits or when you want more of the scene in focus, use a narrower aperture (e.g., f/5.6, f/8). Consider distance to your subject - the closer you are, the shallower the depth of field.
15. Mistake: Not Editing Your Photos. Even the best photos can benefit from editing.
* Fix: Learn Basic Photo Editing Techniques. Use software like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One to adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and color. Learn how to retouch skin and remove distractions. Don't over-edit; aim for a natural and polished look. Pay attention to sharpening and noise reduction.
By being aware of these common mistakes and implementing the suggested fixes, you can significantly improve your portrait photography and create stunning, memorable images. Good luck!