What Makes a Great Portrait? With Scott Kelby | #BHDoF

Introduction

This tutorial provides an in-depth guide on what makes a great portrait, inspired by Scott Kelby’s discussion on the elements that contribute to outstanding portrait photography. By understanding the technical aspects, styles, and emotional connections involved, photographers can significantly enhance their portrait game.

Chapter 1: Understanding Portrait Styles

• Fashion Photography: Focuses on clothing rather than the subject. The goal is to showcase the outfit, often shot in stylized settings.
• Travel Photography: Captures people in their environments but is more about the location than the subject.
• Street Photography: Documents everyday life, capturing candid moments without staged poses.
• Beauty Photography: Concentrates on makeup and hair, often in a controlled studio environment.
• Glamor Photography: Highlights the physical beauty of the subject, often in a seductive manner.
• Boudoir Photography: Intimate portraits usually taken in private settings, focusing on sensuality.
• Lifestyle Photography: Captures subjects in relatable social situations, aiming to evoke feelings of envy or desire.
• Environmental Portraiture: Uses the background as a critical storytelling element, showing the subject in their natural environment.
• Traditional Portraits: Involves working closely with the subject to reveal their personality and character through direct interaction and direction.

Chapter 2: Importance of Connection

• Make Subjects Comfortable:
  • Put down your camera when meeting your subject to avoid creating tension.
  • Engage in conversation to learn about their interests and passions.
• Use Conversational Topics: Discuss hobbies, recent events, or personal anecdotes to lighten the mood.
• Encourage Natural Expressions:
  • Allow subjects to pose initially, then capture candid moments as they relax.
  • Use props or music to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Chapter 3: Great Lighting

• Use Soft Light:
  • Larger softboxes create flattering lighting that enhances facial features.
  • Proper lighting can significantly improve the quality of the portrait.
• Adjust Light Based on Subject: Tailor your lighting approach to suit the subject's character and the mood you want to convey.

Chapter 4: Responsible Retouching

• Purpose of Retouching: To enhance the image while maintaining authenticity.
• Minimize Flaws, Don’t Erase Them: Reduce the intensity of permanent features instead of removing them entirely.
• Maintain Realism: Ensure your retouching makes the subject look like themselves, as they appeared in person.

Chapter 5: Color and Skin Tone

• Use a Gray Card:
  • Hold a gray card in the first frame to achieve accurate color balance.
  • Adjust the warmth of the skin tones for a more flattering look.
• Skin Tone Variation: Recognize that different skin tones require different approaches for optimal representation.

Chapter 6: The Eyes

• Focus on the Eyes: Ensure they are well-lit and sharp, as they convey the most emotion.
• Retouching: Spend extra time enhancing the eyes during post-processing.

Chapter 7: Background Matters

• Keep it Simple: Use clean, unobtrusive backgrounds to avoid distracting from the subject.
• Utilize Seamless Paper: Consider using seamless paper for a professional look, which can be easily adjusted in post-processing.
• Blur the Background: Create depth by using a shallow depth of field to separate the subject from the background.

Chapter 8: Lens Selection

• Choose the Right Lens:
  • An 85mm lens is popular for portraits due to its flattering compression and perspective.
  • Understand that different lenses create different visual effects even at the same focal length.
• Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses for Close-Ups: They can distort facial features negatively.

Chapter 9: Emotion and Expression

• Elicit Emotions: Use prompts or props to draw out genuine expressions.
• Create Scenarios: Engage subjects in activities or conversations that reflect their true selves.

Chapter 10: Solid Composition

• Consider Headroom: Keep the eyes higher in the frame for a more contemporary look.
• Avoid Cutting Off Joints: Ensure crops are done artfully, avoiding awkward cuts at elbows or knees.

Conclusion

By mastering these aspects of portrait photography—understanding styles, establishing a connection, using great lighting, retouching responsibly, and focusing on composition—photographers can create stunning, impactful portraits. Remember to practice these techniques regularly and experiment with different subjects and styles to refine your skills. Happy shooting!