A few tips for composition Portrait Tips A few tips for composition

Some classic portrait compositions

Wide shot – subject in environment

Top half: Focus on face, eyes, hands (Mid shot) Still offers insight into background/setting

Head and Shoulders / Close mid

Tight Close-Up

Facial View & Camera Angles

Definitions: facial view is what portion or angle of the face that is showing towards the camera. How is the subject’s face turned or angled relative to the lens, and your position at camera. camera angle is where you place your camera, in relation to the subject in so far as the height, distance, and angle to the subject’s face.

Facial View: Full Face Your subject’s nose is pointing directly towards the lens. You see equal amounts of both sides of their face.

Facial View: ¾ View Where your subject turns their face just slightly in one direction until you cannot see the far ear any more.

Facial View: 2/3 View The subject has continued to turn their head until the line of the nose is almost touching the outline of their cheek on the far side. Be careful not to turn them past that point so the nose breaks the line of the cheek.

Facial View: Profile Where the subject’s face is turned almost exactly 90 degrees from front, basically their nose is pointing sideways. You should only be able to see one side of their face and not the eye on the far side, in a true profile.

Camera Angle: High Angle Emphasizes the face Eyes seem bigger Proportion is more slimming

Camera Angle: Low Angle Can make a person look taller Make subject seem more powerful Not always flattering though... Nostrils, etc.

Camera Angle: Eye Level Best for groups Often most flattering angle for portraits (at eye level, or slightly above)

Some Other tips…

Fill the frame with your subject

Keep eyes in the upper 3rd of the portrait

Don’t leave too much headroom Also, use background to give insight into your subject

Use framing to concentrate attention on your subject