Photography tips
Here are a few basic tips to help you when taking reference photographs.
Use natural light.
The best place to take reference photographs is outdoors on a bright but overcast day. Try to avoid direct sunlight as this can alter the natural colours of your subject and increases the contrast between light and shadow areas. If you do take photographs when the sun is out make sure it is behind you or to one side.
If you are taking photographs indoors, again try to use natural light. Position your subject near a window with the light coming from the side. Do not use the flash as this can cause 'red eye' and also increases contrast between light and shade. Try to avoid fluorescent or tungsten lighting as this can distort natural colours.
Positioning
Try to fill the camera frame when taking a head and shoulders shot. Instead of having your subject looking straight ahead try taking 3/4 angle photos with them looking away from the camera. This makes for a far more interesting photo and portrait. When photographing pets get down to their eye level rather than from a standing position above, unless of course you want this position for your portrait.
Capturing personality
When photographing children and pets it is important to make them comfortable and relaxed. This can be achieved by photographing them in a favourite spot or with a certain toy they enjoy playing with. Remember to keep it fun. It is easier having one person taking the photos and another keeping the subject distracted from the camera. Pets that wont stay still can be held, as hand and arms can be removed for the portrait, as long as no distinguishing marks are obscured.
Take plenty of photographs
Don't be afraid of trying different poses and photographing from all angles. Take far more photos than you need, you can then download them to your computer and see which ones work and which ones don't. An ideal set of reference photographs would consist of one photo to show the pose you would like and then two or three close up shots of eyes, nose, mouth etc.
Here are a few basic tips to help you when taking reference photographs.
Use natural light.
The best place to take reference photographs is outdoors on a bright but overcast day. Try to avoid direct sunlight as this can alter the natural colours of your subject and increases the contrast between light and shadow areas. If you do take photographs when the sun is out make sure it is behind you or to one side.
If you are taking photographs indoors, again try to use natural light. Position your subject near a window with the light coming from the side. Do not use the flash as this can cause 'red eye' and also increases contrast between light and shade. Try to avoid fluorescent or tungsten lighting as this can distort natural colours.
Positioning
Try to fill the camera frame when taking a head and shoulders shot. Instead of having your subject looking straight ahead try taking 3/4 angle photos with them looking away from the camera. This makes for a far more interesting photo and portrait. When photographing pets get down to their eye level rather than from a standing position above, unless of course you want this position for your portrait.
Capturing personality
When photographing children and pets it is important to make them comfortable and relaxed. This can be achieved by photographing them in a favourite spot or with a certain toy they enjoy playing with. Remember to keep it fun. It is easier having one person taking the photos and another keeping the subject distracted from the camera. Pets that wont stay still can be held, as hand and arms can be removed for the portrait, as long as no distinguishing marks are obscured.
Take plenty of photographs
Don't be afraid of trying different poses and photographing from all angles. Take far more photos than you need, you can then download them to your computer and see which ones work and which ones don't. An ideal set of reference photographs would consist of one photo to show the pose you would like and then two or three close up shots of eyes, nose, mouth etc.
