1. Mistake: Unflattering Posing
* Problem: Awkward, stiff, or unnatural poses make the subject look uncomfortable and detract from the portrait. Think forced smiles, limbs locked straight, and unnatural body positioning.
* Fix:
* Communication: Talk to your subject! Guide them, offer suggestions, and make them feel relaxed.
* Movement: Encourage subtle movements. Have them shift their weight, tilt their head slightly, or adjust their shoulders.
* Bending Limbs: Straight lines look stiff. Have them bend their elbows, knees, and wrists slightly.
* Hand Placement: Be mindful of hands! Avoid them being flat, clenched, or hidden awkwardly. Suggestions: place them in pockets (partially), gently touch their face or hair, hold an object, or rest them on something.
* Practice: Study posing guides and practice directing people. Mirror poses yourself to understand how they feel.
* Consider the subject's body type: Poses that work for one person might not work for another. Be adaptable.
* Look for natural curves: S curves are often more flattering than straight lines.
2. Mistake: Poor Lighting
* Problem: Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, or dim, flat lighting can ruin a portrait.
* Fix:
* Natural Light: Use it wisely. Avoid shooting in direct midday sun. Find open shade (shade where light still bounces around) or shoot during the golden hours (shortly after sunrise and before sunset).
* Diffusers: Soften harsh light with diffusers (scrims). Even a white bedsheet can work in a pinch.
* Reflectors: Bounce light back onto your subject to fill in shadows. A white or silver reflector is a great tool.
* Artificial Light: Use strobes or speedlights with modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas) to control the light. Learn about lighting patterns (e.g., Rembrandt, butterfly, split).
* Metering: Learn how to properly meter for the scene to avoid overexposure or underexposure. Use your camera's histogram.
3. Mistake: Distracting Backgrounds
* Problem: A cluttered, busy, or distracting background pulls the viewer's attention away from the subject.
* Fix:
* Simplify: Choose a clean, uncluttered background.
* Blur: Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background.
* Positioning: Change your position or your subject's position to find a better background. Step to the side to get rid of that one ugly tree.
* Distance: Increase the distance between your subject and the background to make it more blurred.
* Color: Be mindful of background colors. Avoid colors that clash with your subject's clothing or skin tone.
4. Mistake: Incorrect Focus
* Problem: A blurry subject ruins the portrait.
* Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are the most important part of a portrait. Make sure they are tack sharp.
* Autofocus Points: Select the correct autofocus point (often the center point, but consider using single-point autofocus).
* Manual Focus: In challenging situations (low light, complex backgrounds), use manual focus.
* Back Button Focus: Separate focusing from the shutter button to have more control.
* Check Sharpness: Review your images on the camera's LCD screen (zooming in) and on your computer to ensure sharpness.
* Stable Hands/Tripod: Minimize camera shake, especially in low light. Use a tripod or brace yourself.
5. Mistake: Unflattering Angles
* Problem: Shooting from the wrong angle can distort your subject's features and make them look heavier or shorter.
* Fix:
* Slightly Above: Shooting from slightly above is often flattering, as it can make the face appear slimmer and accentuate the eyes. (But don't go *too* high!)
* Eye Level: Shooting at eye level creates a sense of connection and intimacy.
* Avoid Low Angles: Shooting from below can make the subject's chin appear larger and be unflattering.
* Consider Face Shape: Angles can be used to accentuate or minimize certain features. For example, a slightly turned head can make a round face appear slimmer.
* Full Body Portraits: With full-body shots, make sure you aren't cutting off limbs at awkward places.
6. Mistake: Not Connecting with Your Subject
* Problem: The portrait looks lifeless and lacks emotion if you don't connect with your subject.
* Fix:
* Conversation: Talk to your subject! Get to know them, make them laugh, and create a comfortable atmosphere.
* Relaxation: Help them relax by being calm and confident yourself.
* Genuine Interest: Show genuine interest in your subject and their personality.
* Direction: Provide clear and positive direction.
* Feedback: Offer positive feedback and encouragement during the shoot.
7. Mistake: Neglecting Composition
* Problem: Poor composition can make a portrait feel unbalanced or uninteresting.
* Fix:
* Rule of Thirds: Place key elements of the portrait along the lines or at the intersections of a grid that divides the frame into thirds.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the scene to draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Negative Space: Use empty space around the subject to create balance and visual interest.
* Symmetry/Asymmetry: Consider using symmetry for a formal look or asymmetry for a more dynamic feel.
* Framing: Use elements in the scene to frame your subject.
8. Mistake: Over-Processing or Under-Processing
* Problem: Over-edited portraits look artificial and unnatural, while under-edited portraits can lack polish.
* Fix:
* Subtle Adjustments: Make subtle adjustments to exposure, contrast, white balance, and color.
* Skin Retouching: Retouch skin sparingly, focusing on removing blemishes and distractions rather than smoothing everything out completely.
* Sharpening: Apply sharpening carefully, avoiding over-sharpening, which can create unwanted artifacts.
* Color Grading: Use color grading to create a mood or style, but don't go overboard.
* Consistent Style: Develop a consistent editing style to create a cohesive body of work.
* Monitor Calibration: Ensure your monitor is properly calibrated for accurate color representation.
* Learn from others: Study the editing styles of photographers you admire.
9. Mistake: Using the Wrong Lens
* Problem: A lens that's too wide can distort features, while a lens that's too long can create unflattering compression.
* Fix:
* Ideal Focal Lengths: Typically, focal lengths between 50mm and 135mm are considered ideal for portraits. 85mm is a classic choice.
* Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses (for close-ups): Avoid using wide-angle lenses (e.g., 24mm or 35mm) for close-up portraits, as they can distort facial features.
* Experiment: Experiment with different focal lengths to see what works best for your style and subject.
* Consider the Perspective: Think about the perspective you want to achieve. A longer lens will compress the background, while a shorter lens will create more separation.
10. Mistake: Neglecting Wardrobe and Styling
* Problem: Inappropriate or unflattering clothing can detract from the portrait.
* Fix:
* Consult with Your Subject: Discuss wardrobe options with your subject beforehand.
* Simple and Classic: Simple, classic clothing is often the best choice.
* Avoid Distracting Patterns: Avoid busy patterns or logos that can pull attention away from the face.
* Flattering Colors: Choose colors that complement the subject's skin tone and eye color.
* Fit: Ensure clothing fits well and is comfortable.
* Accessories: Use accessories sparingly and thoughtfully.
* Grooming: Ensure the subject is well-groomed.
11. Mistake: Not Paying Attention to the Hands
* Problem: Awkwardly placed or posed hands can distract from the overall portrait.
* Fix:
* Relaxed Hands: Encourage the subject to relax their hands.
* Natural Placement: Have them hold something, rest them on their lap, or gently touch their face.
* Avoid Clenched Fists: Clenched fists can look tense and aggressive.
* Show the Sides: If possible, show the sides of the hands rather than the palms.
* Direct the Hands: Provide specific instructions on how to position their hands.
* Crop if Necessary: If you can't get the hands to look natural, consider cropping them out of the frame.
12. Mistake: Ignoring the Background Color
* Problem: A background color that clashes or distracts from the subject.
* Fix:
* Complementary Colors: Choose background colors that complement the subject's skin tone and clothing.
* Neutral Colors: Neutral backgrounds (e.g., gray, white, black) are often a safe and versatile choice.
* Avoid Clashing Colors: Avoid colors that clash with the subject's clothing or skin tone.
* Consider the Mood: Use color to create a specific mood or atmosphere.
* Out of Focus: Use a shallow depth of field to blur the background and minimize the impact of the color.
13. Mistake: Being Afraid to Experiment
* Problem: Sticking to the same formula can lead to boring and predictable portraits.
* Fix:
* Try New Things: Experiment with different poses, lighting setups, compositions, and editing styles.
* Break the Rules: Don't be afraid to break the rules of photography and try something unconventional.
* Seek Inspiration: Look at the work of other photographers for inspiration.
* Personal Projects: Work on personal projects that allow you to explore your creativity.
* Practice: Practice regularly to develop your skills and find your own unique style.
14. Mistake: Neglecting White Balance
* Problem: Colors appear inaccurate or unnatural, creating an unflattering or undesirable look.
* Fix:
* Set White Balance: Set the correct white balance on your camera for the lighting conditions (e.g., daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent).
* Custom White Balance: Use a gray card to set a custom white balance for the most accurate results.
* Shoot in RAW: Shooting in RAW format allows you to adjust the white balance in post-processing without losing image quality.
* Adjust in Post: Fine-tune the white balance in post-processing to achieve the desired look.
15. Mistake: Not Taking Enough Photos
* Problem: You miss opportunities to capture the perfect expression, pose, or moment.
* Fix:
* Shoot in Burst Mode: Use burst mode to capture a series of images in rapid succession.
* Vary Your Shots: Take a variety of shots from different angles and with different poses.
* Capture Candid Moments: Be ready to capture candid moments in between posed shots.
* Edit Ruthlessly: Don't be afraid to delete images that are not up to your standards.
* Review and Learn: Review your images critically to identify what works and what doesn't.
By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on the fixes, you'll be well on your way to capturing stunning and memorable portraits! Good luck!