1. Mistake: Poor Posing
* Problem: Stiff, unnatural poses make subjects look uncomfortable and unflattering.
* Fix:
* Guide, Don't Dictate: Give gentle direction instead of rigid commands. Start with basic poses and make small adjustments.
* Break the Symmetry: Avoid having both arms and legs perfectly parallel. A slight bend in an elbow or knee creates a more dynamic look.
* Angle the Body: Turning the body slightly to the side is generally more flattering than facing the camera straight on. Experiment with different angles.
* Pay Attention to Hands: Hands are often a giveaway of nervousness. Have your subject rest them naturally on their lap, in their pockets, or gently touch their face or hair.
* Consider the Subject's Body Type: What works for one person may not work for another. Adapt poses to accentuate the subject's best features.
* Practice and Observe: Study poses in magazines and other portraits. Notice the subtle nuances that make them work.
2. Mistake: Bad Lighting
* Problem: Harsh, unflattering shadows, blown-out highlights, or muddy colors can ruin a portrait.
* Fix:
* Avoid Direct Sunlight: Especially midday. It creates harsh shadows and squinting.
* Use Soft, Diffused Light: Overcast days are ideal. You can also use a diffuser (a translucent screen) to soften direct sunlight or use open shade.
* Learn to Use Reflectors: A reflector bounces light back onto your subject, filling in shadows and adding a subtle highlight. Experiment with gold, silver, and white reflectors.
* Master Artificial Lighting: If you're using flash, learn to bounce it off a wall or ceiling for a softer, more natural look. Invest in a softbox or umbrella for studio work.
* Understand Light Direction: Pay attention to where the light is coming from and how it's affecting your subject's face and body.
3. Mistake: Distracting Backgrounds
* Problem: A busy, cluttered, or inappropriate background can draw attention away from your subject.
* Fix:
* Choose a Simple Background: A plain wall, a field of grass, or a blurred background (bokeh) is often the best choice.
* Pay Attention to Colors: Avoid backgrounds with colors that clash with your subject's clothing or skin tone.
* Adjust Your Aperture: Use a wide aperture (low f-number, like f/2.8 or f/4) to blur the background and create shallow depth of field.
* Change Your Perspective: Sometimes simply moving yourself or your subject slightly can eliminate a distracting element in the background.
* Consider the Story: The background can also help tell a story. A portrait in a workshop can show a person as a craftsperson, for example. Just make sure it enhances, not distracts.
4. Mistake: Focusing on the Wrong Spot
* Problem: An out-of-focus subject is the cardinal sin of portrait photography.
* Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are the window to the soul. Make sure they are tack sharp. Use Single Point AF and aim for the eye closest to the camera.
* Use Back Button Focus (Optional): Separates focusing from the shutter button, allowing for more precise control.
* Check Your Focus: Zoom in on the image on your camera's LCD screen to confirm that the eyes are in focus.
* Be Aware of Depth of Field: At wide apertures, the depth of field can be very shallow. Make sure your subject isn't moving significantly after you focus.
5. Mistake: Improper Camera Settings
* Problem: Incorrect ISO, aperture, or shutter speed can lead to overexposed, underexposed, or blurry images.
* Fix:
* Master the Exposure Triangle: Understand the relationship between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
* Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A): Allows you to control the depth of field while the camera sets the shutter speed.
* Use a Low ISO: To minimize noise (grain) in your images. Only increase the ISO when necessary for proper exposure.
* Choose an Appropriate Shutter Speed: Fast enough to avoid motion blur, especially when shooting handheld. The general rule is to use a shutter speed faster than 1/focal length.
* Use Metering Modes Wisely: Evaluative/Matrix metering is often good for general portraits, but spot metering can be helpful for tricky lighting situations.
6. Mistake: Not Connecting with Your Subject
* Problem: A disconnected subject can result in stiff, inauthentic portraits.
* Fix:
* Talk to Your Subject: Get to know them a little bit before you start shooting.
* Make Them Comfortable: Crack a joke, play some music, or offer them a drink.
* Give Positive Feedback: Let them know when they're doing a good job.
* Be Patient: Allow your subject time to relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera.
* Be Yourself: Your own personality will help put your subject at ease.
7. Mistake: Poor Composition
* Problem: Poorly composed portraits can look unbalanced or 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 of your subject along these lines or at their intersections.
* Leave Negative Space: Give your subject room to "breathe" in the frame.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the scene to draw the viewer's eye towards your subject.
* Consider the Angle: Experiment with different shooting angles – high, low, and eye-level.
* Avoid Centering: Unless you have a specific reason to do so, avoid placing your subject directly in the center of the frame.
8. Mistake: Over-Editing or Under-Editing
* Problem: Over-editing can make portraits look artificial and unnatural. Under-editing can leave them looking flat and unfinished.
* Fix:
* Subtlety is Key: Make small, incremental adjustments.
* Focus on Correcting Imperfections, Not Creating a New Face: Reduce blemishes, even out skin tone, and sharpen the eyes.
* Calibrate Your Monitor: Ensure that your monitor is properly calibrated to display accurate colors.
* Save a Copy: Always work on a copy of your original image.
* Take a Break: Step away from the computer and come back to the image later with fresh eyes.
* Learn Skin Retouching Techniques: Use dodge and burn, frequency separation, or other techniques to achieve natural-looking skin.
9. Mistake: Ignoring the Subject's Clothing and Styling
* Problem: Inappropriate clothing or styling can detract from the portrait.
* Fix:
* Communicate with Your Subject: Discuss clothing options and styling beforehand.
* Choose Simple, Flattering Clothing: Avoid busy patterns or distracting logos.
* Consider the Location: Make sure the clothing is appropriate for the location and the overall mood of the portrait.
* Pay Attention to Details: Make sure clothing is wrinkle-free and fits properly.
* Consider Professional Hair and Makeup (Optional): Especially for important portraits.
10. Mistake: Not Using a Lens Appropriate for Portraits
* Problem: Wide-angle lenses can distort facial features, while very long telephoto lenses can compress the subject and background too much.
* Fix:
* Ideal Focal Length Range: 85mm to 135mm is generally considered ideal for portraits.
* 50mm Lens: A versatile option, especially for tighter spaces.
* Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses for Close-Ups: They can distort the face and make features appear larger than they are.
* Prime Lenses (Fixed Focal Length): Often offer better image quality and wider apertures than zoom lenses.
11. Mistake: Neglecting White Balance
* Problem: Colors are inaccurate, creating an unwanted color cast (e.g., too blue or too yellow).
* Fix:
* Shoot in RAW: Allows you to easily adjust white balance in post-processing.
* Use Custom White Balance: Use a gray card or white object to set a custom white balance.
* Experiment with White Balance Presets: Try different presets (e.g., Daylight, Cloudy, Shade) to see which one works best.
* Adjust White Balance in Post-Processing: Use the white balance sliders in your editing software to fine-tune the colors.
12. Mistake: Forgetting About Eye Contact (or Lack Thereof)
* Problem: Eye contact (or the deliberate lack of it) can dramatically impact the viewer's connection to the portrait.
* Fix:
* Direct Eye Contact: Creates a sense of intimacy and connection.
* Looking Away: Can convey thoughtfulness, vulnerability, or disinterest. Be deliberate in the direction the subject is looking.
* Eye Contact with Another Person in the Frame: Tells a story about their relationship.
* Be Intentional: Think about the message you want to convey and choose the appropriate eye contact (or lack thereof).
13. Mistake: Not Using Fill Flash Outdoors
* Problem: Harsh shadows can appear on the subject's face, especially in bright sunlight.
* Fix:
* Use Fill Flash to Lift Shadows: Set your flash to a low power output (e.g., -1 or -2 stops) to fill in shadows without overpowering the natural light.
* Diffuser: Use a diffuser over your flash for a softer, more natural look.
* Reflector: Using a reflector can be a more natural way to fill shadows.
14. Mistake: Being Afraid to Experiment
* Problem: Sticking to the same old techniques can lead to boring and predictable portraits.
* Fix:
* Try New Poses: Search for inspiration online or in magazines.
* Experiment with Different Lighting: Use different light sources, angles, and modifiers.
* Play with Composition: Try different angles, focal lengths, and cropping techniques.
* Break the Rules: Sometimes the best portraits are the ones that defy conventional wisdom.
* Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: If you normally do posed studio portraits, try some environmental portraits outside.
15. Mistake: Not Practicing Enough
* Problem: Like any skill, portrait photography requires practice to improve.
* Fix:
* Shoot Regularly: The more you shoot, the better you'll become.
* Analyze Your Work: Review your photos critically and identify areas for improvement.
* Seek Feedback: Share your work with other photographers and ask for constructive criticism.
* Take Workshops or Classes: Learn from experienced photographers and hone your skills.
* Don't Be Afraid to Fail: Mistakes are part of the learning process.
By avoiding these common mistakes and consistently practicing, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning portraits. Good luck!