1. Mistake: Not Knowing Your Subject
* The Problem: You treat your subject as a prop rather than a person. This leads to a stiff, unnatural, and ultimately uninteresting portrait.
* The Fix: Talk to your subject *before* you start shooting. Find out their interests, what makes them feel comfortable, and what features they like (or dislike) about themselves. Use this knowledge to tailor the shoot to their personality.
2. Mistake: Poor Composition
* The Problem: Placing your subject smack-dab in the center of the frame all the time, or not considering the background.
* The Fix:
* Rule of Thirds: Imagine the frame divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and two vertical lines. Position key elements along these lines or at their intersections.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the scene (roads, fences, rivers) to draw the viewer's eye to your subject.
* Background Awareness: Make sure the background is not distracting. Look for simple backgrounds or use a shallow depth of field (see below) to blur it. Watch out for objects seeming to grow out of your subject's head.
3. Mistake: Shallow Depth of Field OVERUSE
* The Problem: Blurring the background so much you lose context, or blurring crucial parts of your subject (like one eye).
* The Fix:
* Context Matters: Use shallow depth of field to separate your subject, but make sure the background still adds something to the story.
* Sharp Focus: Ensure the eyes are always sharp! This is the most important focus point in portraiture.
* Aperture Control: Don't automatically use the widest aperture possible. Experiment to find the right balance. F/2.8 is great for isolating a subject, but f/5.6 or f/8 might be better if you want more of the scene in focus or need more forgiveness on your focus point.
4. Mistake: Unflattering Posing
* The Problem: Stiff, unnatural, and uncomfortable poses. Can emphasize unflattering features.
* The Fix:
* Bend Limbs: Straight lines look stiff. Ask your subject to slightly bend their elbows and knees.
* Angled Body: Turning the body slightly away from the camera is often more flattering than facing the camera straight on.
* Chin Forward and Down (Slightly): This can help define the jawline and reduce the appearance of a double chin. (Don't overdo it!)
* Weight Shift: Have them shift their weight from one foot to the other.
* Guide, Don't Dictate: Offer suggestions rather than rigid instructions. "Try putting your hand on your hip" is better than "Put your hand *exactly* here!"
* Practice Poses: Look at posing guides and practice with a friend or family member.
* Movement: Have your subject move slightly between shots. A slight adjustment can dramatically change the pose.
5. Mistake: Bad Lighting
* The Problem: Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, uneven skin tones, or unflattering angles of light.
* The Fix:
* Avoid Midday Sun: The sun is harshest at midday. Shoot during the "golden hours" (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) for soft, warm light.
* Use a Reflector: A reflector can bounce light back onto your subject's face, filling in shadows and creating a more even exposure.
* Find Open Shade: Position your subject in the shade of a building or tree, but make sure they are still facing an open area to receive soft, diffused light.
* Understand Light Direction: Observe how light falls on your subject's face from different angles. Side lighting can create dramatic shadows, while front lighting can be more flattering.
* Diffusers: Use diffusers to soften harsh light from direct sunlight or speedlights.
* Learn Off-Camera Flash (Eventually): Mastering off-camera flash gives you precise control over light and shadow.
6. Mistake: Ignoring the Eyes
* The Problem: The eyes are the windows to the soul. If they're out of focus, closed, or hidden in shadow, the portrait loses its impact.
* The Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: Ensure the eyes are sharp and in focus. Use single-point autofocus and target the eye closest to the camera.
* Catchlights: Look for catchlights (small reflections of light) in the eyes. They add sparkle and life.
* Eye Contact: Encourage your subject to make eye contact with the camera (or look slightly off-camera for a different feel).
* Be Aware of Shadows: Position your subject so that their eyes are not hidden in shadow.
7. Mistake: Not Using the Right Lens
* The Problem: Using a lens that distorts the subject's features (especially wide-angle lenses for close-up portraits).
* The Fix:
* Ideal Focal Lengths: A focal length between 50mm and 135mm (on a full-frame camera) is generally considered ideal for portraiture. These lenses offer a flattering perspective and minimal distortion. 85mm is a favorite.
* Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses (Close-Up): Using a wide-angle lens for a close-up portrait can distort the subject's features, making their nose appear larger or their face appear wider. However, wide-angle lenses can be great for environmental portraits.
* Consider a Zoom Lens: A zoom lens (like a 24-70mm or a 70-200mm) gives you flexibility in framing your shots and choosing the right focal length.
8. Mistake: Poor White Balance
* The Problem: Colors look unnatural or washed out. Skin tones appear too warm (orange) or too cool (blue).
* The Fix:
* Shoot in RAW: RAW files allow you to adjust the white balance in post-processing without losing image quality.
* Use White Balance Presets: Experiment with different white balance presets on your camera (e.g., daylight, cloudy, tungsten).
* Custom White Balance: Use a gray card or white balance target to set a custom white balance for accurate color rendering.
9. Mistake: Over-Retouching
* The Problem: Making your subject look artificial and unrealistic. Removing all blemishes and wrinkles can erase their character.
* The Fix:
* Subtlety is Key: Aim for natural-looking results. Reduce blemishes and wrinkles, but don't eliminate them entirely.
* Focus on Skin Tone: Smooth out skin tones and reduce redness, but avoid making the skin look plastic.
* Retain Texture: Preserve skin texture and hair detail.
* Less is More: It's better to err on the side of under-retouching than over-retouching.
10. Mistake: Not Metering Correctly
* The Problem: The image is too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed). Highlights are blown out or shadows are crushed.
* The Fix:
* Understand Your Meter: Learn how your camera's light meter works. It typically tries to make everything average gray.
* Spot Metering: Use spot metering to measure the light on your subject's face, especially in challenging lighting situations.
* Exposure Compensation: Use exposure compensation (+/-) to adjust the exposure based on your meter reading. If your subject is very light, you might need to add positive exposure compensation. If your subject is very dark, you might need to add negative exposure compensation.
* Histogram: Learn to read the histogram on your camera's LCD screen to check for blown highlights or crushed shadows.
11. Mistake: Forgetting About Wardrobe and Styling
* The Problem: Distracting clothing, unflattering colors, or a style that doesn't suit the subject.
* The Fix:
* Simple is Best: Solid colors and simple patterns are generally more flattering than busy patterns.
* Consider Color: Choose colors that complement your subject's skin tone and eye color.
* Coordinate with the Background: Make sure the wardrobe doesn't clash with the background.
* Fit is Key: Clothing should fit well and be comfortable.
* Discuss Wardrobe in Advance: Talk to your subject about their wardrobe options before the shoot.
12. Mistake: Shooting at Eye Level All the Time
* The Problem: Creates a static and predictable viewpoint.
* The Fix:
* Change Your Perspective: Experiment with shooting from high angles (looking down on your subject) or low angles (looking up at your subject).
* Consider the Effect: High angles can make your subject appear smaller and more vulnerable, while low angles can make them appear larger and more powerful.
13. Mistake: Not Using Continuous Shooting Mode
* The Problem: Missing the perfect moment because you're only taking one shot at a time.
* The Fix:
* Burst Mode: Use continuous shooting mode (burst mode) to capture a series of images in quick succession. This increases your chances of capturing the perfect expression, pose, or moment. Especially useful with children and pets.
14. Mistake: Not Reviewing and Adjusting
* The Problem: Continuing to shoot without checking your results, leading to wasted time and missed opportunities.
* The Fix:
* Regularly Review Images: Take a few shots, then review them on your camera's LCD screen. Check for focus, exposure, composition, and posing.
* Make Adjustments: Adjust your settings or posing based on your review.
* Communicate with Your Subject: Show your subject some of the images and ask for their feedback.
15. Mistake: Not Practicing and Experimenting
* The Problem: Sticking to the same techniques and approaches, limiting your growth as a photographer.
* The Fix:
* Practice Regularly: The more you shoot, the better you'll become.
* Experiment with New Techniques: Try different lighting setups, posing techniques, and composition strategies.
* Study Other Photographers: Look at the work of photographers you admire and try to understand how they achieve their results.
* Don't Be Afraid to Fail: Mistakes are part of the learning process. Embrace them and learn from them.
By understanding and addressing these common mistakes, you can significantly improve your portrait photography and create images that are both technically sound and artistically compelling. Good luck!