Rules for Portrait Photography

[CJ Swartz]

This is a list of things to improve our portrait photography -- posing, lighting, clothing, etc. -- all with illustrative photos by a working photographer. Most I've been taught before in class or in books, but here we have them all in one easy to find place:

http://www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/rules.html

Take a look around at the rest of the website -- there's lots of good stuff. Click on "Table of Contents" or "First Lesson" at the top to look around.
He's a senior photographer (high school seniors for yearbooks, etc.), but he includes the reasons for changes in the rules, such as photographing a heavier person, older person, etc.

[DannyRaphael]

Simply a gold mine of proven methods. Just excellent.

Thanks, CJ.

[Gary Richardson]

Good find CJ,

There's not a hope that I'll remember all those rules next time I take a family portrait (I can feel them slipping away already ), but if I can remember just one or two of the more obvious ones I'll have learnt something.

Thanks for posting.

[Janet Petty]

Superb tutorials for proven techniques. Thank you for finding and sharing this with us.

Janet

[phillip6653]

Great.... Thanks

[serna1]

WoW! This is a gold mine in information. I am so grateful to you and everyone that share bits of gold to all newbies (like me) in photography. Thank you!

patty

[palms]

Great timing C.J. with three family weddings coming up in the next month i needed some advice


Palms

[serna1]

I'm doing a wedding next month (a friend of mine) but she insisted to take some money for my time and the job I'll be doing after with her pictures. This gives me an opportunity to give her the best I can give with some actual knowledge! Once again Thank You so much! If this goes well... who knows? The possibilities with photography can actually lead to something more than just a hobby.

[CJ Swartz]

I hope this information helps you make family and friends very happy with their photos. I would suggest practicing before the weddings with friends/family members and scouting out some nice locations near where the weddings/receptions will take place.

[serna1]

Thank you for your suggestion The on-post chapel they will be getting married is very beautiful, and with all the rain we've been having the greenery looks awesome! I do however will go scout the little nooks and find perfect little spots to take some of their portraits. I'll have my kids pose LOL!

patty

[willmaes]

useful tips, but nevertheless I also apply the rule "first learn the rules, then break them"

[Kevin Connery]

Originally Posted by willmaes

useful tips, but nevertheless I also apply the rule "first learn the rules, then break them"

Understand the reasons for the rules, then, when necessary or useful, 'break' them.

Most of the rules listed are codifications of making a 2D representation of a single time-slice appear to look like what the 3D image actually looks like, with some extra tips on cooperating with human perception.

Surprisingly good guidelines in this case.

[TreesOfMyTime]

A worthwhile read! Thanks!

[roberto]

Thank you for sharing your skill and your studio with us
Roberto

[Mike]

And for your futher enjoyment:

http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproab...ezeltsman.msnw

[TreesOfMyTime]

Originally Posted by Mike

And for your futher enjoyment:

http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproab...ezeltsman.msnw

Zelstman's work is mainly film based, but the lighting and posing techniques are very much worth study!

[Mike]

Originally Posted by TreesOfMyTime

Zelstman's work is mainly film based, but the lighting and posing techniques are very much worth study!

I assume that you mean that there is a difference in lighting and posing techniques depending on the method of image capture, film or digital. Would you give us the reasons for this?

Thank you.

[TreesOfMyTime]

No, that was not my thought. I just pointed out that there is a lot of film related discussion on development etc. Also, younger folks might be put off by the "look and feel" of the hair styles, dress and such. Those styles change but the rules last!

I doubt that he would have done tilted wedding shots though.

[Mike]

Ok, I understand. And I agree with you that there will be those that will look at the hair and clothing and surmise that everything including the real purpose of the article is old and outdated. People with such little imagination leave me wondering why they are working in these fields.

The tilted shots will go away, much like the inset of the heads of the bride and groom looking down at an overall of the ceremony or the couple in the champaign glass did.

[TreesOfMyTime]

Originally Posted by Mike

Ok, I understand. And I agree with you that there will be those that will look at the hair and clothing and surmise that everything including the real purpose of the article is old and outdated. People with such little imagination leave me wondering why they are working in these fields.

The tilted shots will go away, much like the inset of the heads of the bride and groom looking down at an overall of the ceremony or the couple in the champaign glass did.

Be careful we are going to scare away all the young ones and they have so much to offer!

[Benji3]

I Googled The Rules of Good Portraiture and began reading some of the comments made on the various web sites. Several of the amateur sites had your typical "there are no rules" hogwash in them, but this site had only good comments about my rules posting. Actually I have often thought about making them into a book. Thank you!

Benji3

[CJ Swartz]

Originally Posted by Benji3

I Googled The Rules of Good Portraiture and began reading some of the comments made on the various web sites. ... this site had only good comments about my rules posting. Actually I have often thought about making them into a book. Thank you!

Benji3

Benji - We thank YOU for all the work involved in creating your "Rules..." website. I searched quite a bit before I chose your website as a good place for people to start learning how to think about creating good portraits (and good place to return for reminders).

[xqsme]

very helpful. thanks for sharing!

[davesphotoart]

This is why I love this website.

[shamrock2008]

Originally Posted by Mike

And for your futher enjoyment:

http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproab...ezeltsman.msnw

Any idea if this link has moved ?

[CJ Swartz]

Don't remember what info was on that link, but here's a link to the photographer, Joe Zeltsman, with tips on portraiture and posing. The Zeltsman Approach to Traditional Classic Portraiture


http://blog.kitfphoto.com/Zeltsman/chapter-01.html

Thanks to RobertAsh for updated link - this info keeps moving around on the web, but someone always keeps it safe for future generations!

[shamrock2008]

Cheers Man ! appreciated !

[RAG]

Thank you! I find every little tip helps. Even if it is one you already know it may give you a new idea or understanding you didn't have!

[GNOB]

Thanks for sharing.this tips are really useful.

[AdobeAndrew]

These are great tips. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to share these with my mom during the holidays...she's always making us take family photos!