while i love to focus on candid moments and often don’t have my subjects looking at my camera, i am also intentional about capturing portraits from time to time with my family and at least once during a client session. when it comes to photographing portraits, there are several things you will want to keep in mind in order to be successful with portraiture. the next time you pick up your camera with the goal of taking a portrait, be sure you consider the following 7 things.
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to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph to get started.
Photographing Portraits : 7 Things You Must Know and Do
.jpg "Photographing Portraits : 7 Things You Must Know and Do | Bethadilly Photography")
1. Display Personality and Emotion
the main purpose of a portrait is to introduce a subject to a viewer and have that viewer understand more of who they are. a good portrait shows off their personality and allows the viewer to get to know them a little better. don’t shy away from allowing your subject to demonstrate who they are, whether that is through a serious expression or a belly laugh. a portrait should express and capture some sort of expression, in one way or another.
2. Subject Should Be Looking At The Camera
when photographing portraits, your goal should be to have your subject looking at the camera. while this is something that is not natural to me since i focus on candid/lifestyle photography, i am also intentional about getting a great portrait of my subject looking at me. i try to do this at least once during a client session and from time to time with my family, such as during important age milestones for nostalgia keepsakes.
.jpg "Photographing Portraits : 7 Things You Must Know and Do | Bethadilly Photography")
3. Catchlights
catchlights are when light in reflected off of the eye and are created when you turn your subject just so towards the light. when photographing portraits, catchlights are a small detail that can take your portrait from good to great. catchlights add life to the eye and, therefore, add light to the subject. be sure to consider how you place your subject in relation to the light in order to create beautiful catchlights in their eyes.
4. Be Mindful of Composition
when photographing portraits, it is important to keep your composition in mind. things you may want to consider would be: should i include the background or it is distracting? is a center composition appropriate or should i compose using the rule of thirds? should i fill the frame with my subject or take a step back and include negative space? by quickly asking yourself these questions before photographing portraits, you will ensure that you are mindful of what composition will create the strongest portrait.
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5. Typically From the Shoulder Area Up
while not always, portraits are usually composed to include the shoulder area and the face. other times, more of the body is included in the portrait. if you are considering a portrait that is more close up to your subject, consider photographing your subject from the shoulder up to create a portrait that is pleasing to the eye and looks to be cropped intentionally.
6. Watch Your Aperture
it’s important that you watch your aperture when photographing portraits to ensure that both of your subject’s eyes are in focus. one of the most common and beginner mistakes is only achieving focus on one eye and it is important that portraits achieve focus in both eyes. for portraits, i like to keep my aperture at least at f/2.8.
.jpg "Photographing Portraits : 7 Things You Must Know and Do | Bethadilly Photography")
7. It’s Okay To Get Creative
sometimes a good portrait is one that breaks the rules. it’s okay to get creative from time to time with portraits and, when done correctly, it can be very powerful. in the self portrait above, i did not include my face, included more of my body and chose a center composition. i also allowed a slower shutter speed to blur my moving hair, in order to portray movement.
for help on creating self portraits, be sure to read how to take a self portrait with a DSLR.
photographing portraits is very easy, you just need to know the rules for creating a good portrait. by being mindful of your composition, monitoring your aperture, allowing yourself some wiggle room for creativity, incorporating catchlights, and focusing on capturing personality, you have all the things you need to create a strong portrait.
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when it comes to photography projects, i am all aboard. i love the push that a photography project gives me to be better at what i do and practice, practice, practice. there also always seems to be a life lesson embedded in a photography project that is often humbling and leaves us thankful for doing one. while most photography projects i’ve participated in (a 365 photography project, a 52 photography project, a self portrait photography project, etc), i found fun and nostalgia in creating a polaroid photography project for my family.
photographing my everyday is one of my passions. to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph.
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A Polaroid Photography Project : 6 Reasons You Should Start One
.jpg "A Polaroid Photography Project : 6 Reasons You Should Start One | Bethadilly Photography")
the polaroids in this post were taken with a fujifilm instamax mini polaroid camera.
when i was a little girl, my great grandparents had a polaroid camera and would take photos with it. i will always remember a photo of my sisters and i sitting with our great grandparents in an orange chair in their front room. i loved that polaroid picture and it inspired me to start a polaroid photography project with my family. of course, nostalgia played a huge role in this project, as i really wanted to created polaroids for our daughter to have when she was older. but there are several other reasons why i think everyone should start a polaroid photography project with their family.
.jpg "A Polaroid Photography Project : 6 Reasons You Should Start One | Bethadilly Photography")
Pictures Are Quick and Easy
when it comes to picture taking, it’s never been easier. you literally point and shoot. i love that i can keep this small polaroid camera out on our dining room table, allowing me to quickly grab it and take a quick picture, when the time arises. of course, i use the same concepts of composition that i would use with my nikon, to still get great snapshots despite my camera choice.
No Editing Involved
need i say it again. no editing. you just take the picture and, dare i say, do a little dance as you shake the polaroid and watch it develop. oh wait, is that just me? one thing i love about a polaroid photography project is that it simply involves taking photos and that’s it! once i snap the photo, it’s done and ready to be enjoyed. because of this simple fact, a polaroid photography project is something that everybody has time for.
Waiting For Film To Develop
while your kids won’t find any fun in watching you edit your images on your computer, they will have a lot of fun watching these polaroids develop! not only is the picture taking quick and easy, but waiting for the photo to appear is half the fun. your whole family will enjoy it.
Classic Outcome
one of the biggest reasons why i wanted to do a polaroid photography project is because of the way the polaroids look. i had polaroid photos of my own childhood and, for nostalgic purposes, i really wanted our daughter to have some polaroids of her childhood too. i love how classic and old school they look, making them little tiny squares of art.
Anyone Can Take Pictures
one of the best things about a polaroid photography project is that it is a project for the entire family and anyone can do it. if you are a mama, you understand how frustrating it can be to never be in any of your family photos because your family is intimidated by your dslr. with a polaroid camera, anyone can pick it up and take a successful picture, meaning you can easily get in the candids too.
Makes For Fun Displays
because the little polaroids are so cute, they make for really fun displays. whether you place them on a bulletin board or on your fridge, their unique style instantly offers a work of art. listen, i hate things on my fridge. i think it’s clutter. but because these polaroids are so stylish and clean looking, i love placing them on our fridge to be appreciated. i found some beautiful washi tape at hobby lobby to dress up the display and put my personal touch on them. if you love washi tape like i do, here is some similar floral washi tape you can use too.
when it comes to photography projects, most people think of a huge time commitment and struggle. but not all photography projects are like that. a polaroid photography project is a project for the entire family that will have you passing around your polaroid camera, quickly taking snapshots of candid moments, and giving you classic and nostalgic results. plus, need i mention again how fun it is to watch your polaroid develop. with summer right around the corner, consider starting a polaroid photography project with your family.
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i have to be honest with you all, i have been dreading week 21 of the bethadilly 52 because landscape photography just isn’t my thing. while it can be beautiful, it just isn’t something that i am passionate about…making our weekly prompt of landscape photography something i was dragging my heels with. however! when it comes to photography, sometimes it is important to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. you never know what you are going to learn. i was waiting for a client over the weekend and stumbled upon a wonderful barn with the most amazing texture. to put my own spin on a landscape photo, i decided to jump in the frame too. i am teeny tiny in there, but i am there! while all of my gear used to achieve this shot are listed below the photo, i simply placed my camera on my camera bag and set a self timer. in the end, the landscape photo that i was dreading turned out to be one of my favorite images. and while landscape photography still isn’t my thing, it is fun to play around with it every once in awhile.
need help jumping into the shot? be sure to check out my post about how to use wireless remotes.
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The Bethadilly 52 Week 21 – Landscape
.jpg "The Bethadilly 52 Week 21 - Landscape | Bethadilly Photography")
this photo was achieved using : nikon d750 and sigma art 24mm f/1.4 lens and wireless remote.
my settings were : ISO 100 | f/2.8 | 1/1000ss
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to learn more about landscape photography, be sure to read 5 things to consider when photographing landscape photography.
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we found ourselves celebrating our nine year anniversary last week and it was a good excuse as any to head out for dinner. i love to eat out. okay, so i just love not having to cook. but still, eating out is lovely. and our baby girl makes it so easy on us; she is so well behaved in restaurants. the only thing she forgets is that our puppies aren’t below her restaurant high chair, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing her food with the invisible puppies below. of all the things that i love about dining out as a family, it’s my husbands sweet pride as we walk through the doors. he is so proud of his family and, when asked how large our party is, he replies, “a table for two and a half.” followed by a cute little smirk. he loves to say that and i love that he find simple pride and humor in it.
as we sat down to our table to order some summer sangria and a variety of food to share, he buckled her in tight as she looked around the restaurant. of all the things we love about her, her curiosity takes the cake. we love watching her take everything in and study everything from the waiter, to the menu, to what’s on mama’s dinner plate. i always want to remember these early days as a family of three and how we feel unstoppable. we love to go, see and do, all the while bringing her along for each and every adventure.
as a mama, my goal was to photograph my baby’s first year perfectly. to inspire you to do the same, be sure to read the first twelve.
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Table For Two and a Half by Bethany Deschamp
.jpg "Table For Two and a Half by Bethany Deschamp | Bethadilly Photography")
this photo was achieved using : my nikon and my wide angle lens.
my settings were : ISO 100 | f/1.4 | 1/50ss
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when it comes to photography, creative blur can add interest but it’s important that our photo is appropriately focused as well. one of our biggest goals as photographers is to achieve crisp focus in camera because there is no way to fix focus in post processing. your photo is either in focus or it isn’t, making it more important than ever to master focusing skills. when it comes to getting sharper photos straight out of camera, there are 5 things that i do regularly to ensure that every image i take is a keeper, instead of being thrown out because it is out of focus.
photographing my everyday is one of my passions. to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph.
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Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos
.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Consider Your Lens Choice
when it comes to lenses, you get what you pay for. your lens can really make or break your focusing, based on the quality of glass on your lens. for me, i saw a huge difference in the quality of my images once i upgraded to an art series lens. in fact, after only taking a handful of images with this lens, i sold every other lens i had because they simply didn’t add up in comparison. when it comes to getting sharper images straight out of camera, it all starts with a proper lens choice. i whole heartedly recommend my art lens, as it lives on my camera and i never take it off.
when it comes to photography gear, i am a minimalist. take a peek into my camera drawer to check out what gear i have.
.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Watch Your Aperture
while we all love the beautiful bokeh and softness achieved at f/1.4, it can be really hard to nail crisp focus if you are not careful. for that reason, i had to break up with low apertures for awhile because my images were simply not as crisp. as you are working towards getting sharper images straight out of camera, be sure to watch your aperture and make sure you are choosing an aperture that is wide or narrow enough to achieve focus on your subject. my go-to aperture, and therefore happy place, is f/2.8 on my wide angle lens and portrait lens.
.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Slow Down
half the problem with failing to achieve focus is being too hurried with our camera. as you are picking up your camera to photograph, be mindful to slow down and focus. take a few deep breaths, if that helps you slow down. by slowing down and really thinking through your camera settings, you will begin making better choices in order to achieve proper focus. of course, there are the times when we are in a rush to photograph our subject in a unique moment before it’s gone. but for the times when we can, slowing down is one of the silent secrets for getting sharper photos straight out of camera.
.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Fast Shutter
sometimes we mistake a blurry photo for simple camera shake. as you are thinking through your settings, be sure to account for a faster shutter speed to offset any camera shake on your part. the same should be kept in mind when working with a subject that moves. when you are working with a moving subject, such as a child, it’s best to have your shutter at 1/250th or faster in order to freeze their quick and unpredictable movements. save your slower shutter speeds for still life photos or for situations where there is little to no movement.
.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Continuously Monitor Your Focus
getting sharper photos straight out of camera can be as simple as always being aware of your output. you can do this be continuously monitoring the back of your camera, as you are practicing nailing focus. when i am photographing, i usually monitor my results on the back of my camera during the beginning of picture taking, to ensure that my settings are correctly achieving me focus. after that, i don’t really check much and focus on photographing, only checking if i become concerned with a moving subject, the potential for camera shake or to ensure that i got the shot i wanted.
getting sharper photos straight out of camera is something that truly takes a little time and practice. by developing these habits when photographing, you will help to ensure that more of your images are in focus and, therefore, keepers. as you consider your lens choice, be mindful of your aperture, offset your camera shake, slow down and focus, and continuously monitor your results, you will begin developing great habits that create better images that have crisp focus. what are some of your good habits for getting sharper photos straight out of camera? be sure to share them with us in the comment section below!
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.jpg "Getting Sharper Photos Straight Out Of Camera: 5 Steps To Crisp Photos | Bethadilly Photography")