Amazing Portrait Photography Hacks You Should Know

Each year, over 1 trillion photos are taken around the world. For most people, taking pictures is something they do to freeze memories in time. Taking a picture that will be both appealing and unique is a lot harder than you probably realize. If you want to avoid hiring a professional photographer, then you will need to learn how to shoot and edit your own pictures.

Having the right equipment is the first step in getting the one-of-a-kind pictures you want. Are you looking for ways to make your photos more appealing? If so, check out these great photography hacks that can help you accomplish this goal.

Use Unique Perspectives

An overwhelming number of photos are taken from eye level. Most amateur photographers fail to realize that they can shake things up by rethinking their angles. Shooting photos from a unique perspective will make them more unique and eye-catching. However, you need to be careful when choosing the perspectives that you want to shoot your pictures.

For instance, shooting from underneath a person can make their face look distorted. Once you choose your perspective, you need to make sure the subject being photographed is represented properly. You need to realize that small imperfections and problems can be fixed with photo editing software/apps. Flyaway hair is one of the main things you need to keep an eye out for when editing your photos. Luckily, you can learn how to remove flyaway hair from pictures with some online research. Apps like FaceTune2 make it easy for amateur photographers to remove unwanted elements from their pictures.

Turn Off Your Automatic Flash

Before you start taking pictures with a new camera, you need to do your homework to ensure you know how to change certain settings. One of the main problems that amateur photographers have involves using too much light. The main culprit of these lighting-related issues is automatic flash features. Most camera manufacturers send out their products with the automatic flash turned on. When taking a picture with automatic flash you run the risk of making the photo blurry.

The best way to address this problem is by using ambient light in your photos instead of the harsh illumination provided by the automatic flash feature. The automatic flash also increases the camera’s shutter speed, which can lead to pixelation and blurring. While there will be times when you need to use artificial light for your photos, you will get better results if you use natural lighting to illuminate the subjects in your portraits.

Opt for Simple Backgrounds

One of the most overlooked elements of a photo is the background. Most inexperienced photographers fail to realize just how important a good background is when trying to highlight the subject of their photos. The biggest mistake you can make when taking a portrait is using a cluttered background. The distractions of a cluttered background can completely ruin your portrait, which is why you need to address this issue.

Using simple backgrounds allows you to draw more attention to the person being photographed. Experimenting with different background colours and textures is also a great way to add depth to your photos.

Props Can Come In Handy

Experienced photographers understand how important it is to fill the frame of their photos. Many novice photographers produce images that seem devoid of character and uniqueness. If all of your photos are starting to look the same, you have to find a way to shake things up. One of the best ways to add a new element to your portraits is by using well-placed props.

The props you use in your photos should be both simple and colourful. A vibrantly coloured prop allows you to bring out the natural colours contained in the background and foreground of your photo. Doing some online research is a great way to figure out what type of props you need to use. Things as simple as stepstools and umbrellas can help you add a new layer of appeal to your photos. The key to finding the right props is experimenting with any and everything at your disposal.

Try To Get Candid Photos

Another mistake you need to avoid as an amateur photographer is ignoring the need for honesty in your compositions. Some photographers fail to realize that some of the best photos on the planet feature candid shots of the subject.

There is something about the honesty that comes with taking candid photos that people absolutely love. During a photoshoot, you need to take as many pictures as possible. By taking a wide variety of shots, you can go back and find the most candid ones to put in your portfolio.