1. Mistake: Bad or Unflattering Lighting
* Problem: Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, dull skin tones, and overall an amateurish look. Lighting is arguably the *most* important aspect of portraiture.
* Why it's a Problem: Unflattering lighting can make even the most attractive person look bad. It distracts the viewer and diminishes the emotional impact of the portrait.
* How to Fix it:
* Avoid Direct Sunlight (Especially Midday): This is the biggest offender. Instead, shoot in open shade (shade that's lit by soft, diffused sky light), or wait for the golden hours (shortly after sunrise and before sunset).
* Use a Reflector: Reflectors bounce light back into the shadows, filling them in and creating softer, more flattering light. Even a white foam board can work wonders.
* Use a Diffuser: Diffusers soften harsh light sources. You can buy professional diffusers, or use a translucent shower curtain or even a thin white sheet.
* Learn Artificial Lighting (Flash/Strobes): Off-camera flash gives you maximum control. Start with a single light source and learn to modify it with softboxes, umbrellas, and grids. Learn about light modifiers!
* Observe Light: Pay close attention to how light falls on your subject's face from different angles. Experiment and see what looks best.
2. Mistake: Poor Composition
* Problem: The subject is placed awkwardly in the frame, the background is distracting, and the overall image feels unbalanced.
* Why it's a Problem: Poor composition makes the image visually unappealing and fails to draw the viewer's eye to the subject.
* How to Fix it:
* Rule of Thirds: Mentally divide your frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Place key elements of your subject (eyes, face) along these lines or at the points where they intersect.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the background (roads, fences, walls) to guide the viewer's eye towards your subject.
* Negative Space: Intentionally leave empty space around your subject to create a sense of balance and draw attention to them.
* Avoid Centering (Most of the Time): While centering can work in some situations, it's often a less dynamic composition. Experiment with off-center placement.
* Consider the Background: Make sure the background is clean and doesn't distract from your subject. Blurring the background (see #3) can help.
3. Mistake: Lack of Depth of Field (Blurry Backgrounds)
* Problem: Everything is in focus, including the background, which makes the subject blend in and the image feel flat. Or, sometimes, the important parts of the subject (eyes) are not in focus.
* Why it's a Problem: A shallow depth of field (blurry background) isolates the subject and draws attention to them. It also creates a more professional and artistic look.
* How to Fix it:
* Use a Wide Aperture: Set your camera to a low f-number (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4). The lower the f-number, the shallower the depth of field.
* Use a Longer Focal Length Lens: Longer lenses (e.g., 85mm, 135mm) naturally create shallower depth of field than wider lenses (e.g., 35mm, 50mm) at the same aperture.
* Increase the Distance Between Subject and Background: The further your subject is from the background, the blurrier the background will be.
* Move Closer to the Subject: Getting closer to your subject also decreases the depth of field.
* Ensure Sharp Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are the window to the soul. Make sure they're tack-sharp! Use single-point autofocus and place the focus point directly on the eye closest to the camera.
4. Mistake: Unnatural Posing
* Problem: The subject looks stiff, uncomfortable, and posed, resulting in an awkward and unnatural portrait.
* Why it's a Problem: Unnatural posing creates a disconnect between the viewer and the subject, making the portrait feel forced and unauthentic.
* How to Fix it:
* Communicate and Direct: Talk to your subject, make them feel comfortable, and give them specific directions.
* Start with Basic Poses: Begin with simple, classic poses and then gradually adjust them to create more interesting variations.
* Focus on Angles: Angles create interest. Have your subject turn slightly towards or away from the camera. Avoid having them face the camera straight on unless it's intentional.
* Bend Limbs: Straight arms and legs can look stiff. Encourage your subject to bend their elbows and knees slightly.
* Pay Attention to Hands: Hands can be tricky. Have them do something natural, like holding an object, placing them in a pocket, or gently resting them on their leg. Avoid having them clenched or awkwardly positioned.
* Encourage Movement: Have your subject move slightly between shots to loosen them up and capture more natural expressions.
* Capture Candid Moments: Don't just focus on posed shots. Capture candid moments when your subject is laughing, talking, or interacting with their environment.
5. Mistake: Incorrect White Balance
* Problem: The colors in the image are off – skin tones are too orange, blue, or green.
* Why it's a Problem: Incorrect white balance can make skin tones look unnatural and ruin the overall mood of the portrait.
* How to Fix it:
* Shoot in RAW: RAW files contain more color information than JPEGs, allowing you to adjust the white balance in post-processing without losing image quality.
* Use a Gray Card: A gray card is a neutral reference that you can use to set the white balance in post-processing. Take a photo of the gray card in the same lighting conditions as your subject.
* Set Custom White Balance: Your camera has a custom white balance setting that allows you to manually set the white balance based on the ambient light.
* Adjust White Balance in Post-Processing: Use software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to adjust the white balance until the colors look natural. Look for the temperature and tint sliders.
6. Mistake: Over-Processing (or Under-Processing)
* Problem: Skin looks plastic and unnatural, colors are oversaturated, or the image is too heavily manipulated. Or conversely, the image is flat and lifeless and lacks impact.
* Why it's a Problem: Over-processing can ruin a portrait and make it look fake. Under-processing can leave potential untapped.
* How to Fix it:
* Less is More: Start with subtle adjustments and gradually increase the intensity until you achieve the desired look.
* Focus on Skin Tone: Pay close attention to skin tone. Avoid making it too smooth or too orange.
* Use Layers and Masks: Use layers and masks in Photoshop or other editing software to selectively edit different areas of the image.
* Calibrate Your Monitor: A calibrated monitor ensures that you're seeing accurate colors and brightness levels.
* Learn Basic Post-Processing Techniques: Master techniques like dodging and burning, color grading, and sharpening.
* Develop Your Style: Find a post-processing style that suits your personal taste, but avoid trends that will look dated in a few years.
7. Mistake: Distracting Backgrounds
* Problem: The background is cluttered, busy, and draws attention away from the subject.
* Why it's a Problem: A distracting background can ruin a portrait and make it difficult for the viewer to focus on the subject.
* How to Fix it:
* Choose a Simple Background: Look for backgrounds that are clean, uncluttered, and don't compete with your subject.
* Blur the Background: Use a wide aperture (as mentioned in #3) to blur the background and isolate your subject.
* Change Your Perspective: Move around and find a different angle that minimizes distractions in the background.
* Use a Backdrop: If you're shooting in a studio or indoors, use a plain backdrop to create a clean and simple background.
* Remove Distractions in Post-Processing: Use software like Photoshop to remove distracting elements from the background.
8. Mistake: Not Considering the Subject's Personality
* Problem: The portrait doesn't reflect the subject's personality or capture their essence.
* Why it's a Problem: A good portrait should tell a story about the subject and reveal something about their character.
* How to Fix it:
* Get to Know Your Subject: Talk to your subject before the shoot to learn about their interests, hobbies, and personality.
* Choose a Location That Reflects Their Personality: Shoot in a location that is meaningful to your subject and reflects their interests.
* Encourage Them to Relax and Be Themselves: Create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere so that your subject feels free to be themselves.
* Capture Natural Expressions: Don't just focus on posed shots. Capture candid moments when your subject is laughing, talking, or interacting with their environment.
* Pay Attention to Their Body Language: Body language can reveal a lot about a person's personality. Pay attention to their posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
9. Mistake: Shooting at Eye Level (All the Time)
* Problem: The portrait lacks dynamism and perspective. Shooting only at eye level can become monotonous.
* Why it's a Problem: Varying your shooting angle adds visual interest and can emphasize different aspects of your subject.
* How to Fix it:
* Shoot from Above: Shooting from above can make your subject look smaller and more vulnerable.
* Shoot from Below: Shooting from below can make your subject look taller and more powerful.
* Crouch or Kneel: Get down on your subject's level, especially when photographing children or pets.
* Experiment with Different Angles: Don't be afraid to try different angles and perspectives to see what works best.
10. Mistake: Ignoring the Eyes
* Problem: The eyes are out of focus, dull, or lack catchlights.
* Why it's a Problem: The eyes are the most important part of a portrait. They are the window to the soul and can convey a wide range of emotions.
* How to Fix it:
* Focus on the Eyes: Always make sure the eyes are tack-sharp. Use single-point autofocus and place the focus point directly on the eye closest to the camera.
* Add Catchlights: Catchlights are reflections of light in the eyes. They add sparkle and life to the eyes. Use a reflector or artificial light to create catchlights.
* Use Eye-Enhancing Techniques in Post-Processing: Use software like Photoshop to brighten the eyes, add contrast, and remove any redness. Be subtle.
11. Mistake: Using the Wrong Lens
* Problem: Distortion, unflattering compression, or the wrong perspective.
* Why it's a Problem: The lens you choose significantly impacts the look and feel of your portrait.
* How to Fix it:
* Understand Lens Compression: Longer lenses (85mm and up) compress features, making faces look slimmer and more flattering. Wider lenses can distort features, especially around the edges of the frame.
* Consider the Environment: Wide-angle lenses (35mm or wider) are good for environmental portraits, showing the subject in their surroundings. Telephoto lenses (85mm or longer) are ideal for isolating the subject and creating a blurry background.
* Popular Portrait Lenses: 50mm (considered a "normal" lens), 85mm, 135mm, and 70-200mm zoom lenses are all popular choices for portraiture.
* Avoid Extreme Wide Angles for Close-Ups: Using a very wide-angle lens (e.g., 16mm) for a close-up portrait will distort the subject's features.
12. Mistake: Neglecting Wardrobe and Styling
* Problem: The subject's clothing is distracting, unflattering, or clashes with the background.
* Why it's a Problem: Wardrobe and styling can significantly impact the overall look and feel of a portrait.
* How to Fix it:
* Advise Your Subject on Clothing Choices: Suggest that they wear clothing that is comfortable, flattering, and reflects their personality.
* Avoid Distracting Patterns and Logos: Choose solid colors or subtle patterns that won't distract from the subject's face.
* Coordinate Clothing with the Background: Make sure the clothing colors complement the background.
* Consider the Overall Mood: Choose clothing that matches the overall mood and style of the portrait.
* Pay Attention to Details: Make sure the clothing is clean, wrinkle-free, and fits properly.
13. Mistake: Forgetting to Check Your Camera Settings
* Problem: Incorrect ISO, aperture, shutter speed, or white balance can result in poorly exposed or out-of-focus images.
* Why it's a Problem: Incorrect camera settings can ruin a portrait and waste your time.
* How to Fix it:
* Develop a Pre-Shoot Checklist: Create a checklist of camera settings to review before each shoot.
* Start with a Baseline: Establish a baseline set of settings that work well in most situations and then adjust as needed.
* Pay Attention to Your Meter: Use your camera's meter to ensure proper exposure.
* Check Your Focus Regularly: Make sure your camera is focusing correctly and that the focus point is on the subject's eyes.
* Use Histograms: Learn to read the histogram on your camera to ensure your images are properly exposed and you're not blowing highlights.
14. Mistake: Not Connecting with Your Subject
* Problem: The portrait feels distant and impersonal because there's no connection between the photographer and the subject.
* Why it's a Problem: Portrait photography is about capturing a person's essence, and that requires building trust and rapport.
* How to Fix it:
* Talk to Your Subject: Engage in conversation before and during the shoot. Ask about their interests, hobbies, and what makes them unique.
* Be Genuine and Approachable: Smile, be friendly, and show a genuine interest in your subject.
* Give Positive Feedback: Encourage your subject and let them know when they're doing a good job.
* Listen to Their Concerns: Address any concerns or anxieties they may have about being photographed.
* Create a Relaxed Atmosphere: Play music, offer refreshments, and create a comfortable and enjoyable environment.
15. Mistake: Not Practicing
* Problem: You're not improving your skills and are stuck in a rut.
* Why it's a Problem: Like any skill, portrait photography requires practice and experimentation to master.
* How to Fix it:
* Shoot Regularly: The more you shoot, the better you'll become.
* Experiment with Different Techniques: Try new lighting setups, posing techniques, and post-processing methods.
* Study the Work of Other Photographers: Analyze the work of photographers you admire and try to emulate their techniques.
* Get Feedback: Share your work with other photographers and ask for constructive criticism.
* Take Workshops or Classes: Attend workshops or classes to learn new skills and techniques.
* Practice with different people: Everyone is different and responds to directions in a variety of ways, so work with as many people as you can!
By addressing these common mistakes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can significantly improve your portrait photography and create images that are both technically sound and emotionally compelling. Good luck!