Eye Level: Taking Photos at the Subject’s Eye Level for Natural Results
Taking photos at the level of the subject’s eyes is a very effective basic way of portrait photography.
Photos taken in line with the subject’s eyes give a more personal and natural impression. This allows the viewer to feel directly connected to the subject through gaze.
How to do it?
- Make sure the camera is aligned with the subject’s eyes, especially for close-up or medium shots.
- Use a tripod or stabilizer to keep the camera steady in the desired position.
- If the subject is a child, lower your position so that you can capture the moment from their point of view.
Experiment with a 45-degree angle to produce interesting facial dimensions.
Shooting from a 45-degree angle often results in more dynamic portraits than straight or side angles.
Advantages of 45 Degree Angle:
- Accentuate the subject’s facial structure by showing its natural dimensions.
- Make the face look more proportional, especially if the subject has a certain face shape that you want to emphasize or disguise.
How to try this angle:
- Point the subject to slightly rotate his body so that it is not fully facing the camera.
- Focus on parts of the face that are closer to the camera, such as the eyes and cheekbones.
- Pay attention to the lighting so that the resulting shadows emphasize facial features.
When photographing children, it is important to be at the level of their eyes so that the photo feels more vivid and fun. For example, when taking photos at a birthday party, the photographer must bend over or sit so that the camera is in line with the children’s eyes.
This not only makes the photos more interesting but also helps capture their spontaneous moments and cheerful expressions. In this way, the portrait not only becomes a documentation but also captures the essence of the children’s happiness and cheerfulness.
3. Background Settings
The background in portrait photography is crucial to determining the visual quality of a photo. A good background can make the subject stand out more, while an irregular background can distract and ruin the composition. Therefore, it is important to manage the background to make the portrait photo look more professional.
Choosing a simple and clean background is essential to keep the viewer’s focus on the subject. Irrelevant elements such as cables or conspicuous furniture can distract attention. An overly crowded background can also make the photo look less professional.
To choose the right background, use plain walls, neutral curtains, or natural scenes such as trees. Make sure the background color contrasts with the subject’s outfit to create visual appeal and pay attention to the lighting so that it doesn’t overwhelm the subject.
Using a Large Aperture (f/2.8 – f/5.6) to Create a Bokeh Effect
Using large apertures such as f/2.8 to f/5.6 is an effective way to achieve the bokeh effect, which is a blurry and soft background. This bokeh effect helps to bring out the subject in the following ways:
- With a wide aperture, only the subject is visible, while the background becomes blurred, so it doesn’t distract from the subject’s face or expression.
- The bokeh effect gives the photo visual depth, making the portrait feel more three-dimensional and interesting.